The host brews the tea using Chinese gunpowder green tea, lots of fresh mint, and a generous amount of sugar. The pot is kept on a small brazier to stay hot. When the tea is ready, it is poured from a height into a tiny glass, creating a frothy crown of bubbles on top. That foam is a sign of a good pour - and a good host.
The three glasses are served one after another, each brewed separately with the same leaves but slightly different proportions. The first glass is strong and slightly bitter - said to be 'as bitter as life'. The second is sweet and balanced - 'as sweet as love'. The third is very sweet and light - 'as gentle as death'. This poetic trio is famous across the Saharan world.
Refusing a glass of tea is considered quite rude. To accept all three is to show that you are a welcomed and respectful guest. The ceremony can last an hour or more, with long conversations, stories, and laughter shared between pours. Tea time is never rushed - it is the whole point.