Moroccan Tea Ritual: Religion, Gender, Socio-Economics and Hospitality

While much has been written about Japanese and Chinese tea ritual, Moroccan tea ritual is equally as pervasive and symbolic of Moroccan culture, if not quite as well known. It represents elements of religion, gender differentiation, socio-economics and hospitality that indicate core values by which Moroccans live their daily lives. A relatively recent phenomenon, tea ritual in Morocco is one of the most fundamental food habits practiced by the vast majority of the population. Through examples of personal experiences of the tea ritual, this thesis explores how the ritual embodies these basic tenets of Moroccan culture and suggests ways in which the ritual became such a fundamental part of Moroccan culinary and cultural identity.