Mountain Tea

What Is Mountain Tea?

Mountain tea is an herbal tea made from the flowering shoots of plants in the Sideritis genus, which belongs to the mint family. It grows on the high, rocky slopes of Anatolia and the Mediterranean basin; depending on the region, it is also called “highland tea” or “shepherd’s tea.”

When brewed or boiled, its dried shoots make a golden-yellow tea with a mild, smooth aroma. Its gentle flavor means it does not become overly bitter even with a long steep.

Mountain Tea Nutrition Facts

Unsweetened brewed mountain tea is practically calorie-free and contains no significant macronutrients, so no numerical nutrition table is provided. Its aroma comes from the plant’s volatile oils and other plant compounds.

What Are the Benefits of Mountain Tea?

Mountain tea is a highland herbal tea traditionally consumed widely in Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Research into its compounds is ongoing, but the findings have not become a definitive health recommendation.

This is general information; mountain tea is an herbal tea and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Mountain Tea

High-quality mountain tea has whole, yellowish-green, slightly fuzzy shoots and retains its characteristic mild aroma.

• The shoots should be whole, yellowish-green, and flowering.
• Avoid bundles that are excessively crumbled or dusty.
• Do not buy products that have absorbed moisture or smell moldy.

How to Store Mountain Tea

Dried mountain tea shoots can be stored for about 1 year in a sealed jar in a cool place away from light; moisture and light weaken the aroma.

Using Mountain Tea in the Kitchen

Mountain tea is consumed almost entirely as a hot drink. The shoots can be steeped, or boiled for a few minutes to make a stronger tea.

How Do You Brew Mountain Tea?

Add a pinch of dried shoots to a cup of boiling water and steep for 5–8 minutes. For a stronger flavor, the shoots can be boiled in water for 3–4 minutes. Add honey and lemon if desired.

Can You Boil Mountain Tea?

Yes. Unlike sage, mountain tea shoots can also be prepared by boiling them in water for a few minutes; this method makes a darker tea.

What Recipes Use Mountain Tea?

Hot mountain tea, honey-lemon mountain tea, and winter herbal tea blends are among the most common ways to use mountain tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mountain tea the same as sage tea?

No. Mountain tea is made from Sideritis species, while sage tea is made from Salvia officinalis. Both are herbal teas, but they come from different plants.

Where does mountain tea grow?

It grows naturally on high, rocky, sunny slopes in Anatolia and the Mediterranean basin, which is why it is also known as “highland tea.”

Does mountain tea contain caffeine?

No. Mountain tea is an herbal tea and naturally contains no caffeine, so it can also be consumed in the evening.

Why is mountain tea golden yellow?

Natural plant pigments in the shoots pass into the water during brewing, giving the tea its characteristic yellowish-gold color.

Does mountain tea have other names?

Yes. Depending on the region, it is called “highland tea” or “shepherd’s tea”; all these names refer to tea made from Sideritis species.