Levantine Tea — country by country

The kettle that never leaves the stove — black tea, fresh mint, and no visit too short for a glass.

Every country brings its own touch. Here's how they differ.

⚔️ Head to head

Pick two kitchens and see exactly where they part ways.

⏱ Total time: 10 min👥 Serves: 4

✨ Loose black tea simmered — not just steeped — with fresh mint or sage, sweetened in the pot for everyone.

Only in Palestine

⏱ Total time: 6 min👥 Serves: 2

✨ Brewed in the glass itself: boiling water over the leaves, heavy sugar, drunk strong enough to stand a spoon.

Only in Egypt

🤝 Both use

⏱ 10 min

In Palestinian homes the tea tray answers every knock on the door — dark, sweet, a sprig of mint or maramia standing in each glass.

✨ What makes it special

Loose black tea simmered — not just steeped — with fresh mint or sage, sweetened in the pot for everyone.

⏱ 6 min

Known here as: Shai Koshary

Egypt runs on shai koshary — leaves dropped straight in the glass, sugar stirred loud, mint optional but the sitting is not.

✨ What makes it special

Brewed in the glass itself: boiling water over the leaves, heavy sugar, drunk strong enough to stand a spoon.