Tunisian Pine Nut Tea (Thé aux Pignons)
Pine nut tea is a Tunisian specialty: hot, sweetened tea (usually green or black) served in tall glasses with a handful of pine nuts floating on top. It’s decadent, aromatic, and uniquely Tunisian — a drink that feels like a treat in itself.
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Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 80kcal
Ingredients
- 4 tsp loose green tea or strong black tea, like gunpowder or Chinese tea
- 3 –4 tbsp sugar adjust to taste
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 –3 tbsp pine nuts per serving, untoasted
- Fresh mint optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Brew the tea: In a teapot, add loose tea leaves and sugar. Pour boiling water over and steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on desired strength.
- Strain: Pour the tea through a strainer into tall glasses.
- Add pine nuts: Drop a spoonful of raw pine nuts into each glass — they will float on top of the tea.
- Serve: Enjoy hot, with the pine nuts eaten at the end as a sweet, nutty finish.
Notes
In Tunisia, green tea is more traditional in the north, while black tea is also popular in the south.
Pine nuts aren’t toasted — they soak up the tea’s flavor and are eaten with a spoon after drinking.
Sometimes mint or orange blossom water is added for extra fragrance.
Nutrition
Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 4g