Mediterranean Mountain Tea or Sideritis is a herbal tea found mostly in Mediterranean and Balkan regions. This tea is very common in Albania, Kosovo, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria etc. In my native country of Albania, we call this tea Caj Mali (çaj mali) which means exactly Mountain Tea. The plant takes its name mountain tea because it grows in rocky terrains, in high altitude. The sideritis plant has a lot of varities, scientists sometimes can recognize which region or mountain it is from based on leaf & flower shape and size. Other names mountain tea is know by are ironwort and shepherd’s tea.
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How Does Mountain Tea Taste?
Caj Mali or Mountain Tea is not overwhelming in flavor. It feels like a mix between chamomille and lemon to me. Friends of mine have described it as green tea with lemon, however mountain tea is naturally caffeine free. It’s smell is pretty distinctive, I would recognize it with my eyes closed every time.
Health Benefits of Mountain Tea
Mountain Tea or Caj Mali has been used for centuries as a staple on dinner tables in several Mediterranean & Balkan countries. This tea is also know for its health benefits. As a child I remember that I was given the tea several times a day when I was not feeling well. My mom and my grandma used to say that this tea with lemon, would make the flu time shorter and make me feel better faster.
The tea is also known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal qualities. The basis of it all is that it is supposed to boost the immune system, thus helping with digestive issues, respiratory problems, common cold, and stress. While researching about this tea, I came across few studies that are looking into this tea’s benefits in osteoporosis and Alzeimers. If I come across a finalized study, I will reference it below so you can look at the results.
How Do Locals Drink It?
Usually this tea is served hot with lemon & honey! When I was little, I remember drinking it only with honey but as i got older I really enjoy the lemon in it too. In Albania, people serve it with few typical sides like feta cheese, olives, toasted bread etc. The flavor and aroma of this tea is unmistakable. I miss it a lot, especially on cold days. My mom brought some tea bags few years ago and that didn’t work for me. Somehow, it had lost its flavor and taste. So last time my mom visited, she brought me bunch of dried tea exactly how we used to buy it when I was little.
How Do You Prepare Mountain Tea?
Well, if you have tea bags you usually steep it in hot water like you would any other herbal tea. However, if you get lucky and get to buy the dried plant, then follow the following steps.
- Boil water in a pot
- Add several twigs of mountain tea plant, include both flower and lead for full aromatic benefits.
- Let boil for few minutes. Turn heat off or just low.
- Let it cook for few minutes, it will still be hot but not boiling hot.
- Pour on a cup. It helps if you have a tea mesh or colander, if not use a spoon to hold off the plant from going into your cup.
- Add lemon & honey to taste.
- Repeat:)))
Remembering the 90s
I hadn’t thought of mountain tea for a while. Lately, there were 2 events that made me think of back home and how things used to be.
First, it started to get cold and that is such a treat here in Miami. We get few cold days occasionally and we all rush to wear our boots and drink our teas.
Secondly, I saw an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown about Armenia that reminded me of the 90s in Albania. In that episode, a girl was talking about the post soviet era and how they didn’t have electricity for most of the day. In Albania, we went through something similar. My high school years are marked by 20 hour days with no electricity. I remember how we all made this tea at night and waited for the lights to come back on. And so many more memories that I would need a book to share!!!
- I wrote a whole post on my feelings about Anthony Bourdain’s Shows. Read it here if you are interested.
Here is a small spread I prepared yesterday when I wanted to have some tea!! Tea itself had lemon and honey. While the sides are feta cheese with olive oil and oregano, boiled eggs, olives and toast. It was really a treat for me:).
Another way I like to serve mountain tea is with muffins or any fruit breads.
If you are looking for Mediterranean recipes, especially Albanians ones, please check out the following links:
- Stuffed peppers
- Mediterranean Potato Salad
- Orange Salad
- Cabbage, Orange Salad
- Instant Pot Bean Soup (Fasule)
Paul Atkinson
Thank you for the blog! I was given Albanian tea to brew recently, and the twigs and flowers also came with what looks like a small fruit or tiny current. What is that, and do you use it in the tea?
Thank you!
Paul
Sonila
Hi Paul, thank you so much for commenting! What color is the fruit? Is it in the flower or different part of the twig? To tell you the truth, I have never seen currants in this plant and often I or other family members buy it straight from the farmers who collected it in the mountains. Do they clean it from fruits before selling it or maybe you were gifted a different plant? I am not sure ,but I’ll definitely look into this. Send me a picture in social media if you ever find time to take a picture of it. I am curious! Have a great day and hope you enjoy the tea, it really is so good in winter time!!
Oni Baballari
Sonila ckemi? I love that you wrote about caji malit, I miss it so much. I was wondering if you know of any stores here in the US (esp East Coast) that carry it. Keto kohet e fundit skam pas ndonje njeri qe te me sillte pak caj mali nga Shqiperia, kshuqe it would be amazing to find out a store nearby(or online) that has it. Love your website!
Thanks, Oni!
admin
Ckemi Oni? Faleminderit qe me lexon!! When my mom can’t visit and bring some I buy mine at a local Mediterranean store, they sell it as Greek tea but it’s the same. Some people sell it online as Mountain Tea, I bought couple of times from Amazon. The tea bags are so so, I guess not fresh. The aroma is not so robust!! My sister orders from a store in NY, they deliver. I just asked her for the info, I’ll come back and comment again with the info as soon as I have it.
Sonila
Hi Oni, I asked my sister and she said she orders on EBay and not that NY store anymore. Hope you find a place to order the tea from. All the best:)
Lorraine
Nothing better than a comforting cup of tea on a cold day! I hope I’m going to be daring enough to try different teas soon.
Sonila
I was very happy to see that several brands are now selling this tea even here in United States. I’m lucky enough that my mom brings me the real caj mali from Albania anytime she visits, but it’s good to see it’s not just a local thing anymore:).