Steeping specs: about 3 g in about 8 ounces of water at about 212° for about four minutes
The first thing I noticed when steeping this tea or trying to rather is that it’s kind of hard to fit all of the leaves and stems into the amount of water I have available.
The tea turned out tasting pretty good though, so I don’t think I used more leaves than I’m supposed to. I guess I could be wrong about that.
It has a distinctly herbal fragrance even while steeping that’s almost a little bit like licorice or anise. The water turns yellowish while steeping, almost like a yellow tea.
After steeping, the fragrance is still licorice -like. The first sip: I noticed a pleasant flavor, not nasty tasting like some medicinal herbs, and yet a flavor that’s uniquely different than anything I’ve tried.
It’s not a whole new flavor family though. The flavor does have some sweetness and is not bitter or even astringent really, although maybe a tiny bit of citrusy just at the end of the sip. It doesn’t taste quite as licoricey as it smells, but it’s still a fairly pleasant flavor. (I know the emphasis is really on the health benefits of this tea rather than on its flavor, but still I think the flavor is important.)
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Sparta Natura
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sparta Natura. . A Greek Mountain Tea. . . .
One of the aspects of tea that I just love is the never ending learning process that involves all things about tea. There is always a new tea just around the corner that I haven’t tried or even knew about.
Greek Mountain Tea falls into these categories. Greek Mountain Tea is made from the dried flowers, leaves, and steams of the Sideritis plant that is located in the mountainous regions of Greece. The look of this tea reminds me of something you would find growing wild in an overgrown field, really unique and pretty in its own way.
I wasn’t sure how to brew this tea up and the instructions weren’t incredibly specific on the packaging (.18 oz of dried tea and brew it hot water for 4-5 minutes- just wasn’t sure how hot the water needed to be) so I went with boiling water for 5 minutes. When brewing this tea, you use the flowers, leaves and stems, which is great. There is no waste.
While the tea was steeping there was a really love floral herbal note that I could definitely pick up. I was really hoping that smell would translate into a lovely floral flavor.
And this tea did just that. Sip after sip I am greeted with a lovely herbal yet floral note that makes this tea easy to keep drinking. There is also an underlying sweetness throughout. All in all simple yet full of flavor and one that can be enjoyed as a sweet afternoon treat or even that final cuppa to enjoy after a stressful day.
Great alternative to my nightly chamomile cuppa for sure and a tea I could drink any time of the day. I’m quite excited to try this tea as a cold brew.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Sparta Natura
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
