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===Egypt===

===Egypt===

Tea is the national drink in [[Egypt]], and holds a special position that even coffee cannot rival. In Egypt, tea is called "shai".<ref>The book of cities by Philip Dodd</ref> Tea packed and sold in Egypt is almost exclusively imported from [[Kenya]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The Egyptian government considers tea a strategic crop and runs large tea plantations in Kenya. [[Green tea]] is a recent arrival to Egypt (only in the late 1990s did green tea become affordable) and is not as popular.

Tea is the national drink in Egypt, and holds a special position that even coffee cannot rival. In Egypt, tea is called "shai". Tea packed and sold in Egypt is almost exclusively imported from [[Kenya]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The Egyptian government considers tea a strategic crop and runs large tea plantations in Kenya. [[Green tea]] is a recent arrival to Egypt (only in the late 1990s did green tea become affordable) and is not as popular.

Egyptian tea comes in two varieties: Koshary and Saiidi. Koshary tea, popular in Lower (Northern) Egypt, is prepared using the traditional method of steeping black tea in boiled water and letting it set for a few minutes. It is almost always sweetened with cane sugar and is often flavored with fresh [[menta|mint]] leaves. Adding milk is also common. Koshary tea is usually light, with less than a half [[teaspoon]]ful per cup considered to be near the high end.

Egyptian tea comes in two varieties: Koshary and Saiidi. Koshary tea, popular in Lower (Northern) Egypt, is prepared using the traditional method of steeping black tea in boiled water and letting it set for a few minutes. It is almost always sweetened with cane sugar and is often flavored with fresh mint leaves. Adding milk is also common. Koshary tea is usually light, with less than a half [[teaspoon]]ful per cup considered to be near the high end.

Saiidi tea is common in Upper (Southern) Egypt. It is prepared by boiling [[black tea]] with water for as long as 5 minutes over a strong flame. Saiidi tea is extremely heavy, with 2 teaspoonfuls per cup being the norm. It is sweetened with copious amounts of cane sugar (a necessity since the formula and method yield a very bitter tea). Saiidi tea is often black even in liquid form.

Saiidi tea is common in Upper (Southern) Egypt. It is prepared by boiling [[black tea]] with water for as long as 5 minutes over a strong flame. Saiidi tea is extremely heavy, with 2 teaspoonfuls per cup being the norm. It is sweetened with copious amounts of cane sugar (a necessity since the formula and method yield a very bitter tea). Saiidi tea is often black even in liquid form.

===Iran===

===Iran===

Tea found its way to Persia ([[Iran]]) through the Silk Road from India and soon became the national drink. The whole part of northern Iran along the shores of the [[Caspian Sea]] is suitable for the cultivation of tea. Especially in the Gilan province on the slopes of Alborz, large areas are under tea cultivation and millions of people work in the tea industry for their livelihood. That region covers a large part of Iran's need for tea. Iranians have one of the highest per capita rates of tea consumption in the world and from old times every street has had a ''Châikhâne'' ([[Tea House]]). Châikhânes are still an important social place. Iranians traditionally drink tea by pouring it into a saucer and putting a lump of rock sugar (''qand'') in the mouth before drinking the tea.

Tea found its way to Persia (Iran] through the Silk Road from India and soon became the national drink. The whole part of northern Iran along the shores of the Caspian sea is suitable for the cultivation of tea. Especially in the Gilan province on the slopes of Alborz, large areas are under tea cultivation and millions of people work in the tea industry for their livelihood. That region covers a large part of Iran's need for tea. Iranians have one of the highest per capita rates of tea consumption in the world and from old times every street has had a ''Châikhâne'' ([[Tea house]]). Châikhânes are still an important social place. Iranians traditionally drink tea by pouring it into a saucer and putting a lump of rock sugar (''qand'') in the mouth before drinking the tea.

===Morocco===

===Morocco===

{{Main|Moroccan tea culture}}

{{Main|Moroccan tea culture}}

[[File:The menthe.jpg|thumb|right|Moroccan [[mint tea]]]]

[[File:The menthe.jpg|thumb|right|Moroccan mint tea]]

Morocco is considered the first importer of [[green tea]] worldwide.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071103102427/http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=497915 Morocco tea imports from China hits $56 million mark] AngolaPress</ref>

Morocco is considered the first importer of [[green tea]] worldwide.

Tea was introduced to [[Morocco]] in the 18th century through trade with [[Europe]].

Tea was introduced to Morocco in the 18th century through trade with Europe.

Morocco consumes [[green tea]] with [[menta|mint]] rather than black tea. It has become part of the culture and is used widely at almost every meal. The Moroccan people even make tea performance a special culture in the flower country. Moroccan tea is commonly served with rich tea cookies, fresh green mint leaves, local "finger shape" brown sugar, and colorful tea glasses and pots. Drinking Moroccan tea is not only a luxury of tongue, but also the eyes.

Morocco consumes [[green tea]] with mint rather than black tea. It has become part of the culture and is used widely at almost every meal. The Moroccan people even make tea performance a special culture in the flower country. Moroccan tea is commonly served with rich tea cookies, fresh green mint leaves, local "finger shape" brown sugar, and colorful tea glasses and pots. Drinking Moroccan tea is not only a luxury of tongue, but also the eyes.

===Mauritius===

===Mauritius===

===Sahel===

===Sahel===

[[File:Sahelian Tea Bild0766.jpg|thumb|right|Sahelian tea set]]

[[File:Sahelian Tea Bild0766.jpg|thumb|right|Sahelian tea set]]

In the [[Sahel]] region on the southern fringe of the Sahara, [[Gunpowder tea|green gunpowder tea]] is prepared with little water and large amounts of sugar. By pouring the tea into the glasses and back, a foam builds on top of the tea. Sahelian tea is a social occasion and three infusions, the first one very bitter, the second in between and the last one rather sweet are taken in the course of several hours.

In the Sahel region on the southern fringe of the Sahara, green gunpowder tea is prepared with little water and large amounts of sugar. By pouring the tea into the glasses and back, a foam builds on top of the tea. Sahelian tea is a social occasion and three infusions, the first one very bitter, the second in between and the last one rather sweet are taken in the course of several hours.

===Somalia===

===Somalia===

Tea is an important social beverage to [[Somali people]]. It is called ''shaah'' in the [[Somali language]]. Tea was first introduced to Somalis through ancient trade with the Arabs and Indians. In major Somali towns you can find many tea shops and tea stalls around busy market areas. Somalis consume tea at anytime of the day but primarily at breakfast, in the late afternoon, called ''Asariyo'', and after or during supper. Any guest to a Somali household would be offered spiced Somali tea, known as ''Shaah Hawash'', as soon as he or she arrives. The tea is spiced with [[cardamom]], [[cloves]] and sometimes dry [[ginger]] and is usually served milky and sweet. Unlike in other cultures Somalis do not ask their guest how they would like their tea in terms of sugar content, strength and whether milk should be added or not. Tea is usually preferred over coffee in Somalia, however because of Italian colonial influence some Somalis prefer coffee over tea.

Tea is an important social beverage to [[Somali people]]. It is called ''shaah'' in Somali language. Tea was first introduced to Somalis through ancient trade with the Arabs and Indians. In major Somali towns you can find many tea shops and tea stalls around busy market areas. Somalis consume tea at anytime of the day but primarily at breakfast, in the late afternoon, called ''Asariyo'', and after or during supper. Any guest to a Somali household would be offered spiced Somali tea, known as ''Shaah Hawash'', as soon as he or she arrives. The tea is spiced with cardamom, cloves and sometimes dry ginger and is usually served milky and sweet. Unlike in other cultures Somalis do not ask their guest how they would like their tea in terms of sugar content, strength and whether milk should be added or not. Tea is usually preferred over coffee in Somalia, however because of Italian colonial influence some Somalis prefer coffee over tea.

Somalis usually drink milky tea, but its customary to serve black tea if it is to be consumed after a heavy meal. It is called ''Shaah Bigaysi''.

Somalis usually drink milky tea, but its customary to serve black tea if it is to be consumed after a heavy meal. It is called ''Shaah Bigaysi''.