Not-for-Sale Mountain Tea

In southern Albanian mountain homes, the moment a guest crosses the threshold, a small saucepan of whole-stem mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) is put on the flame. Hand-picked above 1,000 metres on the sunlit ridges of the Vjosa Valley, shade-dried to keep the flowering heads and essential oils completely intact. As the water slowly heats and the herbal aroma fills your room, you can feel the noise of the day gently dissolve. Simmer whole flowering stems for three peaceful minutes. When you take your first sip, you begin to understand why this ancient mountain brew has welcomed travellers for centuries.

Read the trial: Greek mountain tea extract, cognition and cerebral blood flow

The ritual: Simmer gently, never rush: place whole stems in cold spring water, bring to a quiet boil for three minutes, and let the warmth ground your evening.

Plainly stated

• Whole stems with flowering heads, shade-dried
• Harvested June–July, one season per batch
• Named harvest area on every pack
• Naturally caffeine-free, gentle on evening sleep

Ordering, plainly

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