Cretan Mountain Tea Malotira

Malotira Tea (also called Cretan Mountain Tea Malotira or Greek Mountain Tea Malotira) is a rare and unique Herbal Tea from Crete in Greece. It has a close association to our company’s owner, Mr Richard Smith, whose Cretan friend Yiannis, a shepherd, harvests it by hand. We, too, pack it by hand fresh to order once it arrives at our Kent-based factory shop, ensuring quality and consistency.   

History of Cretan Mountain Tea

The Malotira plant (Sideritis syriaca) grows in great abundance in the mountains of Crete, the Greek mainland, and other regions in the Balkans. There are an estimated 150 types of the species, including Sideritis raeseri, Sideritis euboea, Sideritis montana and Sideritis scardica. The latter variety is what we use to create our equally popular and beloved Olympus Mountain Tea. 

People have drunk the infusion for its distinct herbaceous flavour and Malotira Tea benefits for millennia. Dioscorides (c. 40 - c. 90 CE) recommended it for countless ailments, although particularly to improve the immune and respiratory systems. Likewise dubbed Ironwort and Shepherd's Tea, it is bound to impress all those who choose it, whether for its taste or reported medicinal value. 

Does Malotira Tea Have Caffeine?

Very few types of Herbal Tea contain caffeine, a stimulating chemical compound that, in reality, needs little introduction. An exception to the rule is South American Yerba Mate, which boasts a considerable amount of the constituent. But does Malotira Tea have caffeine? The simple answer is no, it doesn’t. Therefore, if you’re looking to cut down your intake, you’ve decided exceptionally well here. 

How to Make Malotira Tea

1. Purchase a Tea Filter, Infuser or Strainer for ease and convenience.
   
   
2. Break up pieces of Cretan Mountain Tea Malotira and place it in the accessory.
   
   
3. Position the Tea-filled item in a cup or mug.
   
   
4. Begin brewing by pouring in freshly boiled water at temperatures of 100°C.
   
   
5. Allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes for the best flavour. 

How to Serve: Consider honey or lemon. Alternatively, serve without accompaniments. 

Tasting Notes: Imparts a zingy citrusy flavour with herbaceous notes reminiscent of Peppermint. 

Malotira Tea Benefits

According to a 2012 animal-based study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, Malotira Tea lowers blood pressure. Scientists measured arterial blood pressure and found that doses of Sideritis extract led to blood vessel dilation. The result was that it helped to reduce blood pressure levels and, in turn, decrease stress on the heart. What could be more impressive than that?