Moroccan Mint tea
A cup of this refreshing tea is made infinitely more enjoyable when your server streams the golden liquid out from their outstretched arm into your tiny serving glass, often a few feet above your cup. Made with green tea, fresh mint leaves and sugar, the elaborate process of preparing the tea is as important as the hospitality with which it is served. Where to try: For added atmosphere visit Almaz By Momo in The Galleria. The funky and colourfully tiled Moroccan restaurant serves up this traditional tea in a beautiful silver teapot.
The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to
chineSe tea cereMony
10pm, Dhs30 for an individual pot. Tel: (02) 6767702. Taxi: Galleria on Maryah Island. momoresto.com
Learn more about the traditional Chinese tea ceremony Gong Fu Cha at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi. Translated as “tea with great skill”, this 20-minute ritual at the hotel’s lobby lounge, Alba, will
teach you more about the process and history behind brewing tea in China. Prior
reservations are required. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 11pm daily, Dhs158 for two. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton.
ritzcarlton.com
Saffron tea
One of the most expensive spices in the world, saffron isn’t just meant to flavour your dinner. The delicate, handpicked red-orange strands have been used in a variety of traditional medicines throughout history. A cup of saffron infused tea, also known as ‘ liquid sunshine’, is said to boost your mood and help fight depression. Where to try: Visit Leopold’s Of London’s tea library for a cup of Royal Saffron. Using Kemun black tea from China, Iranian saffron and green cardamom is then blended into the mixture by hand. You can also pick up a 90g gift bottle for Dhs460.
Nation Galleria, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed 7.30am to 11pm, Thur to Sat 7.30am to midnight, Dhs100 per pot. Tel: (02) 6654776. Taxi: Nation Galleria Mall on Corniche. leopoldsoflondon.com