Quick answer: in the morning, mountain tea or lemon verbena; after meals, spearmint, lemon verbena or sage; in the evening, chamomile or linden for relaxation; on cold days, mountain tea or thyme with honey; in summer, iced lemon verbena or mountain tea. All are caffeine-free.
Moment by moment
A Greek tea for every hour.
| Moment | Herbal tea | In Greek tradition | Brew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Mountain tea, lemon verbena | A mild, caffeine-free start to the day | 2 g · 4–5 min |
| After meals | Spearmint, lemon verbena, sage | For comfortable digestion | 1–2 g · 5 min |
| Evening | Chamomile, linden | For relaxation at the end of the day | 2 g · 5–7 min, covered |
| Cold days | Mountain tea, thyme, sage | Hot, with a spoon of honey | Simmer 3–5 min |
| Summer | Lemon verbena, mountain tea, spearmint | Iced, with lemon | Brew double, then chill |
Quantities per 250 ml cup. Leaves and flowers: freshly boiled water, covered. Mountain tea stems: simmer gently.
Better cups
Five habits for a better cup.
- Fresh water
Start with fresh, cold water every time; re-boiled water tastes flat.
- Cover the cup
A lid keeps the aromatic oils in the tea instead of the kitchen.
- Honey, not too hot
Stir honey in once the tea is drinkable, not boiling.
- Whole beats dust
Whole flowers and leaves give a clearer, more fragrant cup.
- Store it well
Closed jar, cool dark cupboard — see how to store dried herbs.
Good to know
Enjoy them sensibly.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which Greek herbal tea is best for relaxation?
In Greek tradition chamomile and linden are the evening teas for relaxation. Both are caffeine-free.
Which herbal tea is good after a meal?
Spearmint, lemon verbena and sage are the classic after-meal teas in Greece, drunk for comfortable digestion.
Which Greek herbal teas are caffeine-free?
All of them: mountain tea, chamomile, sage, lemon verbena, linden, spearmint and thyme contain no caffeine.
Can I drink herbal tea every day?
Mild herbal teas such as mountain tea, chamomile and lemon verbena are drunk daily in many Greek homes. Drink sage in moderation, and if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, ask your doctor first.
Can I mix herbal teas?
Yes — mountain tea with lemon verbena, or chamomile with linden, are classic Greek blends.