At least three glasses of Maghrebi mint tea are typically served.
The three-glass custom is part of the drink’s ceremonial and social character. Tea is commonly offered to guests as a sign of hospitality, and serving several glasses gives the gathering a steady rhythm rather than treating tea as a single quick drink.
Because the leaves and mint remain in the pot, each serving can develop a different character as the infusion continues. Traditional descriptions often portray the first glass as relatively gentle, the second as more balanced, and the last as more bitter or astringent.
Three is a customary minimum, not an absolute limit. The number can vary with the occasion, the host, and the size of the gathering. The custom also should not be confused with the separate practice of serving tea three times a day.