Greek Mountain Tea, or sideritis, is derived from the Greek word "sideros," meaning iron, thanks to the ancient folk tales of the Sideritis plant’s healing effect on wounds caused by iron weapons. The Sideritis plant is an original wild herb that is generally known as "Tsai Tou Vounou" in Greek (Tea of the Mountain). The many varieties of Sideritis “Greek Mountain Tea” are some of the most previous and revered medicinal plants in Greek history. In the past, Greek Mountain Tea was only foraged in the wild. It was considered a bee-feeding plant for honey production and only small quantities of Mountain Tea were collected for making tea by the people living in the mountainous regions. For centuries, the Sideritis Wild Mountain Tea varieties were held as precious herbal panaceas with limited production and distribution. Only in the recent century has it become a widely cultivated medicinal plant. Greek Mountain Tea has a rich and long history. Its reputation as a healthy panacea tea is powerful but most of all, Greek Mountain Tea tastes really amazing and there are different varieties of Mountain Tea that can be enjoyed. On the Island of Crete, there is a special variety of Sideritis Syriaca Greek Mountain Tea known as "Malotiras". The name is derived from the Italian words “male” (human disease-sickness) and "tirare" (to draw out, remove), because during the time when the Venetians occupied Crete they considered Sideritis Syriaca Greek Mountain Tea as a valuable panacea tea known for clearing colds and respiratory infections. Sideritis Syriaca, or Malotiras, has a differentiated taste and aroma from other types of Greek Mountain Tea. It offers a deep and savory flavor with notes of wild sage, alpine herbs and honey.
