Mountain tea with honey — the traditional drink of Albania’s highlanders

Mountain tea (Sideritis), popularly known as mountain tea, is gathered in summer in the heights of the Albanian mountains and carefully dried so that its aroma is preserved in full. It is the traditional drink of the highlanders — drunk for warmth, for good digestion and simply for pleasure, in a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Ingredients (for 4 cups):

• 1 litre of water
• 1 bunch of dried mountain tea (about 15–20 g)
• 4 teaspoons of honey (to taste)
• 1 lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
• 2–3 cloves (optional)

Preparation steps:

1. Boil the water in a teapot.
2. Add the bunch of mountain tea, lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 5–7 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, so the aroma is fully released.
4. Strain the tea into cups.
5. Add to each cup a teaspoon of honey, a slice of lemon and — if you wish — a piece of cinnamon.
6. Stir gently until the honey melts and serve hot.

Preparation time: about 15 minutes. Servings: 4 cups.