CAN I BREW YOU A CUP OF TEA?

I have made an interesting discovery here in Albania.  One of the habits I brought with me to Albania was my daily consumption of tea which often started with a strong English breakfast tea and then followed up during the day with green tea.  I even brought my own tea bags with me.  Early in the stay with my host family I learned the Albanian word for tea which conveniently is “chai” and I drew up the courage to ask for hot-water so I could make tea.  It is against this family’s tradition for men to make their own food or drink, except it seems to pour alcohol.  So Dashurie insisted that she serve Mal Chai – or mountain tea.  I reluctantly accepted her hospitality and put my treasured tea bags back into my luggage.

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not my large cup (my camera is not working)

Upon first taste I recognized it as an herb tea and while not as strong as black tea, it was flavorful and very enjoyable with a teaspoon of sugar.  For the last several weeks Dashurie has taken the dried branches and leaves and made a pot of tea for me when I come home from training. I take it gladly and continue to drink  into the night.  Noticing my particularly large consumption, I have now been provided with a very large tea cup which appears near me whenever I am in the central sitting room, where I am drinking it now as I write  this post. 

I decided to check ‘MOUNTAIN TEA” on the internet and here is what I have discovered on Wikipedia.

Sideritis also known as ironwort, mountain tea and shepherd's tea is a genus of flowering plants well known for their use as herbal medicine, commonly as an herbal tea. They are abundant in Mediterranean regions.

In Greek "Sideritis" can be literally translated as "he who is or has the iron". In ancient times Sideritis was a generic reference for plants capable of healing wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. However others hold that the name stems from the shape of the sepal which resembles the tip of a spear.

Very popular in Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia, the plant is used as an herb either for the preparation of herbal teas, or for its aromatic properties in local cuisines. The herbal tea is commonly prepared by boiling the stems, leaves and flowers in a pot of water, then often serving with honey and lemon.

Ironwort has been traditionally used to aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and suppress common cold, the flu and other viruses, allergies and shortness of breath, sinus congestion, even pain and mild anxiety.

Scientists have suggested that the popular pronouncement of ironwort as panacea may have some basis in fact. Studies indicate a positive effect on many common ailments. Ironwort is known scientifically to be anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant. Significant research has been done on ironwort confirming its popular use to prevent colds, flu, and allergies. Most of this research has taken place in universities in the Netherlands and in Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Albania, where the plant is indigenous. Also, modern tests have indicated that the herbal tea helps in the prevention of osteoporosis, while its anti-oxidant properties may aid in the prevention of cancer.

And so, my friends, when I return home I will have these dried branches in my luggage and will brew this wonderful tea for you when we are again together!