Chaara 4011 Sultan Green Tea – Chunmee Loose-Leaf Tea – Strength 7

Chaara 4011 Sultan Green Tea: A Guide to Making the Right Choice

Chaara 4011 is a string-style green tea from Sultan, a company founded in Casablanca in 1936. It is composed of 100% of grade 4011 Chunmee green tea leaves—the most iconic grade in this classification—with fine, twisted leaves that Moroccans call “chaara,” meaning “hair.” Packaged in a 200-gram box of loose-leaf tea with an intensity rating of 7, it produces an amber-colored infusion with a bold character and balanced structure, which can be enjoyed either plain or as mint tea. It naturally contains caffeine and is prepared in a Moroccan teapot—with a preliminary rinse—or in a Western-style teacup.

4011—the grade that connoisseurs ask for by its number

In grocery stores in Morocco, people don’t ask for «strand tea»; they ask for 4011. This number refers to the most famous grade in the chunmee classification—a green tea with thin, twisted leaves whose Chinese name means «precious eyebrows,» in reference to their arched shape. Moroccans, for their part, have named it “chaara,” meaning “hair”: same idea, same delicacy.

The Sultan version of this classic is based on a meticulous selection of leaves, and you can really taste it: the brew is amber-colored and clean, with that distinct vegetal character that sets the tea leaves apart, yet it has a balanced structure that never veers into harshness. Intensity 7: enough body for generously sweetened mint tea, enough finesse for drinking it plain.

Our Tisane Addict Review of Chaara 4011 Sultan

If you had to try just one loose-leaf tea to understand this style, it would be this one: The 4011 is the benchmark grade for chaara, and the Sultan version offers a clean, consistent profile—free of the broken leaves and dust that weigh down entry-level 4011s. The cup has body and depth; the bitterness stays under control with a good rinse, and the tea retains its character even when sweetened—exactly what you’d expect from a benchmark chaara.

To locate this item on our shelf: the Sheikh Ahlou Tea, with its 41022 grade, offers the Saharan style of Chaara—even bolder and tailored for the long steeping times of the “three glasses” ritual; the Chaara 4011 Sultan is its classic and versatile counterpart, perfect for everyday use. And to compare all the styles of twisted leaves in the catalog, our section loose-leaf tea brings them all together in one place.

How to prepare it: plain or with mint

The tea leaves release their flavor quickly and abundantly: a preliminary rinse is even more important than with whole tea leaves. Pour a little boiling water over the tea, stir, discard this first infusion, then begin steeping with simmering water: the cup gains in clarity what it loses in surface bitterness.

Product references

What does "Grade 4011" mean for Chaara Sultan tea?

The 4011 is the most iconic grade in the Chunmee classification system—a green tea with fine, twisted leaves that was historically exported to Morocco. It is such a classic that many tea enthusiasts request their tea directly by this number, as a benchmark of style and quality.

What does "chaara" mean in the context of this Sultan green tea?

Chaara means «hair» in Arabic: it is the Moroccan name for green tea in strands, as opposed to rolled tea leaves. An interesting parallel: the Chinese name for this style, chunmee, means «precious eyebrows,» a reference to the same slender, arched shape of the leaf.

What does Chaara 4011 Sultan green tea taste like?

It has a pronounced vegetal character and a clean, amber-colored liquor—more expressive than that of whole-leaf teas—with a balanced structure that prevents it from tasting harsh. Its intensity level of 7 allows it to hold its own against the sugar and mint in Moroccan tea, while remaining pleasant on its own when brewed lightly.

What is the difference between Chaara 4011 and loose-leaf tea?

The filaments are thin, twisted strands that release their flavor quickly and generously: the brew is full-bodied and darker. The beans, rolled into beads, yield a smoother, more gradual cup. There are two schools of thought in Morocco, and families often remain loyal to one or the other.

How do you prepare Chaara 4011 without it tasting bitter?

Rinsing is key: pour a little boiling water over the tea leaves, stir, discard that first infusion, then steep in simmering water. For a single cup, use a light dose (one small teaspoon), water at 80 °C, and steep for 2 to 3 minutes: the flavor develops quickly.

When is the best time to drink Chaara 4011 Sultan tea?

Like all green teas, it naturally contains caffeine: it’s perfect with breakfast, at the end of a meal, and for shared afternoon tea. Later in the evening, a caffeine-free herbal tea will naturally take its place.