It is rare that I share a herbal tea on the blog but I’m certainly not one of those tea snobs that discriminates against tisanes. I consider herbal infusions to be part of the big tea family and I want to share with you a tea named Greek Mountain Tea; I bought it in Berlin, Germany from a Greek tea merchant and Teesaloniki Tea Shop owner and I'm ready to tell you why it was worth the space in my luggage.
Click play to see my honest review of Greek Mountain Tea by Teesaloniki. Be sure to also subscribe to be automatically entered to win FREE tea/books/stuff during Tea End Blog Give-Aways. Already subscribed? Tell a friend!
THE HUE
Normally, I focus on the hue of the tea after it has been steeped, however, the loose-leaf dried plant that makes Greek Mountain Tea is such a vibrant and beautiful hue that it would be a shame not to mention it. Greek Mountain Tea is a single varietal herbal tea made from the dried flowers, leaves and stems of a native herb known as sideritis. The plant has tiny pale yellow flowers, light green buds and silvery leaves and even after the plant is dried the colors remain so lively and stunning.
Once steeped, Greek Mountain Tea seems to shed its pale yellow buds into the tea pot. The liquor takes on a vibrant yellow hue. Imagine chamomile tea but darker and green tea but yellower and you will have the color of Greek Mountain Tea.
THE SCENT
Upon seeing Greek Mountain Tea, you will want to smell it even before the steep, and that I did. The dried plant has a lemony-grass scent with dull notes of water; imagine the scent of tranquil fresh water in comparison to a rushing creek.
The lemony-grass aromas subsided once I steeped Greek Mountain Tea and a vegetal scent appeared. The scent wasn’t just veggie-like but it was also sour. This combination led me to smell pickle aromas slightly sweetened by the subdued lemon scent.
THE SIP
Steep Temp: Boiling
•
Steep Time: 3-5 min.
Without 2 teaspoons of honey, Greek Mountain Tea is soft like the oatmeal notes in chamomile tea and ends in a loud lemony-pickle note reminding me of some of the savory blends I’ve sipped from Numi Organics. Greek Mountain Tea without honey would make for a great broth base for a soup.
With 2 teaspoons of honey, Greek Mountain Tea becomes more solid and blended. The flavors become one and no longer are separate experiences. The lemon/chamomile notes become warmer.
In the picture below of Greek Mountain Tea, you can see an infusion and strained steep that sat in the tea top for a few hours. The tea became noticeably darker in hue.
Greek Mountain Tea is naturally caffeine free and contains large amounts of essential oils. The tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and has a broad range of phyto-nutrients. So, Greek Mountain Tea is not only good but it's also good for you!
Did you enjoy this Tea Review of Greek Mountain Tea? I certainly hope so! As I mentioned, I purchased this tea in Berlin, Germany from a little tea shop named Teesaloniki. I have performed a Tea Shop Critique on this tea shop so be sure to check out Teesaloniki | Berlin, Germany when you get a chance.
Subscribe now to be automatically entered to win tea and books and stuff that I give away here on teaendblog.com. New subscribers also receive a FREE beautiful bookmark!
Already subscribed? Share this with a friend so that they too may sip happily ever after, for every person you refer, I will re-enter your name in the drawing!
How often do you sip herbal teas?