Mint Tea | A Living Heritage of Peace and Sharing

Prologue | Mint Tea, A Living Heritage

Mint tea is more than just a drink; it is the soul of Morocco. A symbol of hospitality, conviviality, sharing, and peace, it unites generations, cultures, and continents. From the Rif Mountains to Fez, passing through the expanses of the Sahara, this ritual is a silent language, a bridge between men and women, a bond that transcends time and borders.

This ritual is particularly dear to us because it resonates with our own history. We come from Salé, a port city where, over the centuries, our Andalusian ancestors found refuge, fleeing persecution, and enriched Morocco with their know-how and culture. This living heritage, still vibrant today in the streets of Salé, is that of the Sallee Rovers —Slaoui sailors and traders who forged links between Africa, Europe, and the Orient. It is from this blend of cultures that we have drawn our identity, an identity carried by the tradition of mint tea, which embodies this spirit of travel and brotherhood.

But this story isn't limited to our Moroccan roots. In May 1968, our family found refuge in Berry, where the village of Rosières became our adopted home. Rosières, world-renowned for its Rosières cookers, a true institution in the household appliance industry, is also the place where Paul Bocuse gave his first culinary masterclasses in the 1980s. Passionate about these cookers, he found there an echo of his love for culinary excellence, and his exchanges with the young chefs of the time made this village a gastronomic mecca. The history of Rosières, where culinary art and hospitality blend, resonates deeply with our journey and our values.

It is in Rosières, cradled by the history and soul of this territory, that we founded Maison NANA1807 . A place where the tradition of Moroccan mint tea blends with the authenticity of Berry, a place of sharing, creation and inspiration. It is here, in the heart of this village, that we decided to launch an artisanal factory of organic mint teas , to bring the legacy of Mouima, my beloved mother , to life throughout the world.

Mouima is the heart of this story. My children called their Moroccan grandmother “ Mouima ,” which means “my beloved mother” in Moroccan Arabic. She is the one who passed on to me the essence of mint tea, not only as a drink, but as a sacred ritual, an act of love and sharing. For more than 30 years, whenever I returned to Berry, she would welcome me with her mint tea, faithful to Moroccan tradition. “ Mom, your tea is so good that I’m going to sell it all over the world! ” I would tell her. She would smile, not knowing that this promise would one day come true.

Thirty-five years later, that promise has become a reality. Today, Maison NANA1807 sells MOUIMA Tea worldwide, true to the authenticity, passion, and love that Mouima passed on to me. Tea, a symbol of our family heritage, has become an ambassador of peace, humanity, and conviviality throughout the world.

It is also here, in Berry, that we launched the " Mint Tea for Peace " initiative, a global event that aims to bring together enthusiasts around this universal symbol every year. By sharing this tea, we transmit a message of peace, humanity and solidarity, beyond borders and differences.

Over time, this approach has become a true academic project: Mintealogy . We have structured this discipline by combining knowledge of tea, science, and history. At the University of Cambridge, we have laid the academic foundations for this new approach, in order to promote and preserve it for future generations.

But our ambition doesn't stop there. We are committed to protecting this tradition and having it recognized worldwide. This is why we have begun the process of registering Moroccan Mint Tea as a UNESCO intangible heritage site , in order to guarantee its transmission and sustainability while respecting the values ​​that accompany it.

This book is much more than a simple treatise on tea. It reflects a passion, a family history, and a deep commitment to preserving and promoting a precious tradition. Through these pages, I invite you to explore the secrets of this ancestral ritual, to delve into the roots of Morocco and Berry, and to understand why mint tea is much more than just a drink: it is a living heritage, a message of peace, and an invitation to humanity to come together around simple but essential values.