The herb
What Greek mountain tea actually is.
Despite the name, mountain tea is not tea. It is the dried flowering stem of Sideritis, a genus of mountain plants of the mint family; several species grow on Greek mountains and some are cultivated. Greeks call it tsai tou vounou, and regional names include Olympus tea and, in Crete, malotira.
It brews into a mild, rounded cup — floral and earthy, with a soft citrus note and no bitterness. It contains no caffeine, which is why Greek families drink it at any hour, hot in winter and chilled in summer.
VEVI sources mountain tea from certified growers in the Kozani highlands and packs it in Athens under FSSC 22000: cut for jars and sachets, and as whole organic stems.
- PlantSideritis spp. (Greek mountain tea)
- Greek nameΤσάι του βουνού · σιδερίτης
- OriginGreece · Kozani highlands
- CupMild, floral, earthy, soft citrus
- CaffeineNone — it is a herbal infusion
- AwardGreat Taste ★★
Formats
Loose, whole, bagged or by the tub.
Cut mountain tea in jars and sachets, whole organic stems, enveloped tea bags and catering tubs for cafés and hotels.
In the cup
How to brew mountain tea.
The Greek way is to simmer, not just steep: a few minutes in gently boiling water pulls the full flavour out of the stems.
- Measure
About 2 g per 250 ml cup — two or three whole stems, or a heaped tablespoon of cut tea.
- Simmer
Add to boiling water, lower the heat and simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.
- Rest and strain
Take off the heat, cover, rest for two minutes and strain.
- Finish
Drink it plain or with honey, a slice of lemon or a cinnamon stick. For iced tea, brew it stronger and pour over ice.
Ways to drink it
From the village pot to the café menu.
The classic: a mug of mountain tea sweetened with Greek honey on a winter evening.
Brewed strong, chilled, served over ice with lemon slices and mint.
Simmered with a cinnamon stick or a strip of orange peel for a warmer cup.
Paired with lemon verbena or chamomile for a softer, citrusy infusion.
Brew a litre at once for the table — it keeps well in the fridge for a day.
Catering tubs let cafés and hotels brew by the jug at breakfast and on the terrace.
Tradition & wellbeing
The drink of the Greek mountains.
In Greece, mountain tea is the drink of winter: hot, with a spoon of honey, when it is cold outside — and after a heavy meal, for comfortable digestion. Shepherds and hikers have gathered it from the slopes for centuries, hence the name.
Sideritis naturally contains polyphenols such as flavonoids, and it has no caffeine — so it suits any time of day, hot or iced.
- Natural compoundsPolyphenols, flavonoids
- In traditionWinter with honey; after meals
- CaffeineNone
Herbal teas are foods, not medicines. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, ask your doctor first.
Storage & quality
Stems keep longer than cut tea.
Store mountain tea closed, cool, dry and away from light. Whole stems hold their aroma longer than cut tea because less of the leaf is exposed; crumble them only when you brew.
Once a sachet is open, move the tea to a clean jar with a tight lid. As a rule of thumb it tastes best within about a year of opening — always check the best-before date on the pack.
What good mountain tea looks like
- Silver-green leaves and yellow flower heads — dull brown stems mean old stock.
- A clean, floral, slightly lemony smell when you crush a flower.
- A golden, clear cup after five minutes' simmering.
- An origin on the label: Greek mountain tea says Greece.
In the shops
Where to find it
In Greece, VEVI is sold in supermarket chains including Galaxias, Masoutis and My market; the formats on shelf vary by store.
Trade
For retailers, HORECA & importers
Loose in jars and sachets, as whole organic stems and in catering packs — for supermarket chains, cafés, hotels and importers, and under private label. Tea bags are available in our tea-bag range.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of Greek mountain tea?
In Greek tradition mountain tea is the hot winter drink with honey, and it is often drunk after meals for comfortable digestion. It naturally contains polyphenols such as flavonoids and has no caffeine, so it suits any time of day. It is a food, not a medicine.
Can I drink mountain tea every day?
Yes — it is one of the mildest Greek infusions and has no caffeine; many Greeks drink it daily. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, ask your doctor first.
What is Greek mountain tea?
The dried flowering stems of Sideritis, a mountain plant of the mint family, brewed as a mild, floral herbal infusion. It is not related to the tea plant.
Does mountain tea contain caffeine?
No. Mountain tea is a herbal infusion and contains no caffeine.
How do I brew Greek mountain tea?
Use about 2 g per cup, simmer for 3–5 minutes, rest for two and strain. Add honey or lemon if you like. Our brewing guide covers iced tea and larger pots.
What does mountain tea taste like?
Mild and rounded: floral, earthy and slightly citrusy, with no bitterness.
Whole stems or cut — which is better?
Whole stems keep their aroma longer and look beautiful in the pot; cut tea is quicker to measure. The flavour in the cup is the same plant.
Is VEVI mountain tea organic?
Our whole-stem mountain tea is certified organic by BIO Hellas (GR-BIO-03). The jar and sachet are conventional, from certified growers in Kozani.
Do you supply mountain tea wholesale?
Yes — jars, sachets, organic stems and catering tubs for retailers, HORECA and importers, plus private label. Ask for our price list.