Every year, Morocco imports tens of thousands of tonnes of Chinese green tea — and the overwhelming majority of it is Chunmee. If you are an importer, wholesaler or packing company buying for the Moroccan market, this guide walks you through the decisions that decide whether your container sells at a premium or sits in the warehouse: item number, grade, season, common quality traps, and packing.
Why Chunmee Is the Backbone of Moroccan Mint Tea
Moroccan atay (mint tea) is prepared with green tea, fresh spearmint and a generous amount of sugar, served three or more times a day. The tea must have a strong, brisk, slightly astringent liquor that stands up to sugar and mint without turning flat — which is exactly the profile Chunmee was selected for over decades of trade. Gunpowder 3505 plays a complementary role with its rounder, roasted cup, but Chunmee is the volume leader.
Item Numbers Explained: 41022, 41005, 9371
- 41022 — the classic whole-leaf eyebrow style, sold loose. The reference grade for quality-conscious Moroccan channels. See our Chunmee 41022 specification →
- 41005 — sieved small-particle grade used as tea-bag raw material; doses consistently and brews fast in filter paper. See Chunmee 41005 →
- 9371 — the economical grade: looser roll, more stems, lowest cost. Ideal for blending programs. See Chunmee 9371 →
How to Judge a Chunmee Sample: Dry Leaf, Liquor, Leaf Base
Dry leaf: look for tight, thin, evenly rolled “eyebrow” strands with a natural dark-greyish green color. Loose, broad, dull leaf means a lower grade or re-baked old stock. Rub a pinch on white paper — color transfer means dye.
Liquor: bright yellowish-green and clear. A dark, turbid liquor indicates old tea or poor fixation. Leaf base: soft, even, greenish-yellow leaves; scorched or coarse dark leaves signal poor processing.
Broken tea and stems: these are the two parameters that cause most disputes. Specify them contractually (e.g. tea dust ≤ 1.5%, stems ≤ 2–5% by grade) and confirm by sieve test and manual sorting on the COA.
Spring, Summer or Autumn Crop?
Spring crop gives more tips, higher aroma and a sweeter cup — reserve it for premium shelf brands. Summer crop is stronger and more bitter with more stems — acceptable for economy blends. Autumn crop is thinner. Always ask the supplier to declare the crop season per lot, and be alert to re-baked old tea sold as new crop: it looks dull and smells flat.
Packing, Loading and Cost Control
Export standard is 25–30 kg PP woven bags with PE liner. A 20-foot container carries roughly 10–12 tonnes, a 40-foot about 18–22 tonnes. Many importers optimize landed cost by loading mixed grades — for example 41022 for loose retail, 41005 for bag lines, and 9371 as the blend base — in a single container. See our dedicated Morocco market page (العربية) →
Quick Buyer Checklist
- Confirm item number and grade in the contract (41022 / 41005 / 9371 + grade level).
- Declare crop season and demand a per-lot COA (moisture ≤ 6.5%, ash ≤ 7.0%, dust ≤ 1.5%).
- Set contractual stem and broken-tea limits.
- Approve a sealed counter-sample before production.
- Book third-party inspection (SGS/Intertek) if it is a first order.
Smileaf Tea is a Xiamen-based tea manufacturer supplying Chunmee 41022/41005/9371 with EU MRL compliant residue control, Halal certificate, free samples (50–200 g, courier collect) and FOB Ningbo/Shanghai pricing. Request a quote with your target grade and quantity — counter-samples ship within 48 hours.