What Greek herbal tea is made from the Sideritis plant?

What Greek herbal tea is made from the Sideritis plant? The answer is mountain tea. In Greek, it is commonly called tsai tou vounou, meaning “tea of the mountain,” and it is prepared from several Sideritis species rather than from one single plant. The dried stems, leaves, and yellow flowers are usually steeped or gently boiled in water.

Sideritis grows naturally across the mountainous Mediterranean and Balkans, often at elevations above 1,000 metres. Greek regional varieties include Sideritis syriaca, known as malotira in Crete, as well as other local species. The plant’s woolly, silvery appearance helps it tolerate dry, rocky environments.

Mountain tea is traditionally served hot with honey and lemon and has a long history in Greek herbal practice. It is not the same as black or green tea, which come from Camellia sinensis. The name “Sideritis” is linked to the Greek word for iron, although explanations differ over whether it refers to iron weapons or the plant’s appearance.