Day 16: Τσαι του βουνού -- Greek Mountain Tea

In recent years, green tea has been marketed aggressively because of its health-inducing properties. It has become a marketer's dream product. Yet, another, caffeine-free Greek plant has hardly received the respect it is due. Mountain Tea; Τσάι του βουνού -- it is one of the drinks that cures many things.  It is a drink that offers many health benefits and has qualities that help Greeks live for a long time.  But what is it exactly that we are drinking and why?  This tea is known by different names -- the most commonly are Greek Mountain Tea, Shepherd's Tea, and Τσάι του βουνού (Tsai tou vounou).  The scientific name for it is Sideritis syriaca.  The variations are syriaca, clandestina, italica, caesarea, raeseri, and euboea, all of which all have numerous essential and medicinal oils**.  The plant itself  is very hardy and does not need much water, nor much care -- I guess that's why it grows on the mountain sides in Greece!  This perennial plant has hardy stems with many small flowers.  It's beautiful to look at, but even more beautiful to drink!

Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.), the Father of Medicine, was the first recorded source who hailed mountain tea for its many health benefits. Mountain tea has been put through various studies for its benefits in preventing osteoporosis (see link) and warding off some types of cancer because of its powerful anti-oxidant properties.*  It is also known to be a powerful anti-inflammatory beverage.  In day-to-day uses, Τσάι του βουνού has been shown to help cure and prevent colds, flu, digestion, stomach illness, fevers, and, likely, your parents and/or grandparents have used it to make you feel better on a bad day.  In recent times, Greek mountain tea has become one of the most scientifically examined medicinal plants. Without a doubt, Greek mountain tea is a superfood, yet, it is incredibly affordable.

First, make sure that you buy the right kind of tea.  Where we live in Toronto, Canada, it is very easy to find it in pretty well every supermarket, including most East Asian ones!  They all cost about the same wherever we go -- about $1.99 - $2.49 per package.  Each package will make about 10 pots of tea (to serve 4-6), unless you like it a little stronger or a little weaker.

For us, Τσαι του βουνού is an evening relaxation beverage.  It's simple, clean, lightly flavoured and is perfect for any evening when you don't want anything heavy; there is no caffeine, and, it is perfect plain or with honey (or sugar if you prefer). The flavour is not strong like chamomile, but not weak, either.  It has a slight lemon - floral - minty flavour that is fully unique.

So, how does one make a good cup of mountain tea?  Let's make some!

Usually, I break the stems so they fit in the pot.  Get a handful of tea -- stems, flowers, and leaves together. 

Boil the water.

Add the tea stems, leaves, and flowers, and bring the pot back to a boil.

Allow the tea to simmer for about 10 minutes to get this beautiful golden colour.

Strain the tea.

You can strain into a teapot, a serving vessel, or a measuring cup.

Serve hot with honey, sugar, even lemon -- as you like.  Sit back and enjoy!

First, boil some water.  How much will depend on how many people are having tea. Take the stems and the flowers, and put them in a pot of boiling water.  Bring the water up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes.  Take the pot off the heat source and strain out the tea stems, leaves, and flowers through a sieve.  Some people will choose to leave the tea in the water and pour it all into the tea pot to get a stronger flavour or colour as the tea sits.  This is a personal preference.  We like to strain it and we know it is the same each and every cup.  Serve hot.  We occasionally put a little bit of Greek honey in our cup. Attiki Honey, one of the world's best honey brands,  is our family's favourite!

Sit back and enjoy this relaxing cup of tea!


**Taken directly from The Health Benefits Of Greek Mountain Tea | LIVESTRONG.COM

* From Wikipedia.org: Sideritis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

'Fasting appears gloomy until one steps into its arena. But begin and you will see what light it brings after darkness, what freedom from bonds, what release after a burdensome life.' 

+ St Theophan the Recluse