I know that those of you who know me took one look at the title and thought, “Here she goes again with another ode to wine!”  I’m right, aren’t I?  Well, you my friends, would be wrong.  Yes, I confess, wine is a part of my daily food pyramid, but being the well-rounded, versatile person that I am, I have found something equally good and non-alcoholic.   

 This is Moroccan mint tea, or thé a la menthe and if the gods didn’t drink this on a daily basis, then shame on them.  I love this stuff.  It is  tea with mint–lots of it and a sweet element that I thought was honey but the recipe I found and will share uses agave nectar. Hmmm….I don’t know what that is but am going to work on finding some. 

Paris? Mint tea? What is the connection?  I am sending you off to two places I found that have some of the best!  Hopefully, there are others since it is that good but these will have to do.

 Le Grande Mosquée de Paris– in the 5e arroindissement, is an actual, functioning mosque that transports you to another world the minute you enter.  Short tours are available that take you through the building, central courtyard and Moorish garden.  Once you have done that, there is time for lunch in the restaurant or tea and wonderful north African sweet treats in the tea salon.  To further the experience, there is a souk (gift shop) and a Hammam–steam bath or sauna.

If you happen to be in the 7e and are hungry, I suggest Septiéme Sud, a tiny restaurant that is a bit hard to find but worth it.  They serve Mediterranean food but don’t think just Italian.  It hints at Spanish, Moroccan, Greek, North African and……MINT TEA!  My daughter and I ate here regularly and always had a great meal.  

 Here is the recipe for sweet ambrosia.

Septieme Sud, 159, rue de Grenelle   Metro:  La Tour-Maubourg 

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