Thé aux pignons (شاي بالصنوبر), or tea with pine nuts, is a traditional Tunisian beverage that combines the flavors of green tea, mint, and pine nuts. The base is a classic mint tea, similar to what you might find in Morocco: green tea is steeped in hot water for a few minutes and sweetened with sugar. Fresh mint is then added, and in the Tunisian version, pine nuts are included as well.
The combination of green tea, mint, and pine nuts is very refreshing. For me, this variation of tea feels like a small snack; the amount of pine nuts in the tea can sometimes be quite generous. Tea with pine nuts is prepared in households, cafés, and restaurants throughout Tunisia. Locals enjoy it at any time of the day.
While the price of mint tea in Tunisia is around 3 TND (0.90 EUR), tea with pine nuts is significantly more expensive, costing about 9 TND (2.80 EUR). Despite the higher price, it is a treat worth indulging in from time to time.
Cheers!
