Black Star Ataya Green Tea – Green Tea for Senegalese Ataya

Black Star ataya tea is the Chinese green tea many Senegalese, Gambian, Malian and Guinean families use to make ataya: strong, sweet green tea brewed in a small teapot and poured from high up to make foam. It is the tea of long conversations with friends.

Key features

• Chinese green tea for ataya
• Brews strong for the three rounds of ataya
• Also good as plain green tea or with mint
• Small box, easy to keep fresh
• Buy 1, 2, 5 or 10 boxes and save

How to use

Ataya: put a good spoon of tea in a small teapot with a little water and simmer. Add sugar to taste and keep it on low heat. Pour into a small glass and back into the pot from high up, several times, until a thick foam forms. Serve in small glasses. The first round is strong; add mint and more sugar for the second and third rounds.

Plain green tea: steep 1 teaspoon in a cup of hot (not boiling) water for 2 to 3 minutes.

Details

• Brand: Black Star
• Type: Chinese green tea
• Weight and leaf style (e.g. gunpowder): see the box

More tea

Try Achoura thé vert, Chinese green tea (thé vert) or thé vert de Chine. Shop all tea and Senegalese and West African food.

Pick up in Chicago or ship anywhere in the U.S.

Shop at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, IL 60617, or order online for fast U.S. shipping.

Frequently asked questions

What is ataya?

Ataya (attaya) is sweet green tea from Senegal, The Gambia, Mali and Guinea, brewed strong and served in three rounds in small glasses.

What tea is used for ataya?

Chinese green tea, usually gunpowder-style green tea like Black Star.

Why are there three rounds?

Each round uses the same leaves with more sugar (and often mint), so the tea gets lighter and sweeter from the first glass to the third.

How do you make the foam?

Pour the tea from high up between a glass and the pot several times until a thick foam forms.

Where can I buy ataya tea near me?

At Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or online with fast U.S. shipping.