Christie C. Greek Mountain Tea Mint, also known as Sideritis scardica, Ironwort, Shepherd’s Tea, or Olympus Tea, is a short shrub in which the flowers, leaves, and stems are used to brew an herbal tea or tisane. It makes the most delicate and smooth cup of citrusy herbal tea.
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” ―
Greek Proverb
Why You’ll Love This Greek Mountain Tea Recipe
- Delicate citrusy flavor
- Vegan and vegetarian friendly
- May help soothe the body and improve mood.
Inspiration for Greek Mountain Tea Recipe
This past summer, I grew my own Greek Mountain Tea Mint, which is a beautiful perennial shrub indigenous to the Mediterranean and Balkan Peninsula. The leaves are velvety, fuzzy, and smell absolutely divine—like herbaceous citrus.
This bush was one of many herbal tea plants I grew this summer as a way to expand the variety of edible plants in my garden.
The tea’s name “Sideritis” comes from the Greek word “Sideros,” which means iron. In folk medicine, it was thought to help heal wounds inflicted by iron weapons; it could also help with colds, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal disorders, and anxiety (Żyżelewicz et Al, 2020).
Today’s research, however, shows that Mountain Tea is helpful for regulating the digestive system and gut microform, and preventing insulin resistance (Żyżelewicz et Al, 2020). However, always consult a doctor before adding a new tea or supplement into your diet. Personally, I did not grow the tea for health reasons, but because I love teas and tisanes for their flavor and soothing qualities.
Where to Find Mountain Tea
Not everyone has the opportunity to grow their own herbal tea, so you can purchase it at specialty tea shops. Greek Superherbs and The Whistling Kettle sell the plant flowers, stems, and leaves whole without any additional ingredients.
You can also add additional flavorings. Some common herbs or spices you can add to your brew are cinnamon, oregano, chamomile, or ginger. Experiment with different combinations for your preferred brew.
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Special Tools and Equipment
- hot water or tea kettle
- tea strainer
Greek Mountain Tea
Ingredients
- 1 bunch (3g to 5g) fresh Greek Mountain Tea Mint, a combination of leaves, flowers, and/or stems
- 2 cups (200ml) boiling water
Instructions
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Rinse the fresh mountain tea leaves and flowers in vegetable wash or 1:4 ratio of vinegar and water to remove any dirt, debris, and insects.
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Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a kettle.
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Once the water comes to a boil, pour the tea into a tea pot or kettle and steep the mountain tea for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Add honey to taste.
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If necessary, strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining leaf or flower bits.
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Serve the fresh mountain tea hot.
References
Żyżelewicz, D., Kulbat-Warycha, K., Oracz, J., & Żyżelewicz, K. (2020). Polyphenols and Other Bioactive Compounds of SideritisPlants and Their Potential Biological Activity. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(16), 3763. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25163763
