Dittany tea from Crete, also known as dictamus or diktamo. Fresh and fuzzy whole leaf with random twigs and a chunk of dirt-encrusted wood. Used as a culinary herb, though I believe more often as a tea with medicinal benefits. Brought to our house this week from somebody who visited the motherland.
I’ve only ever had dittany in teabag form where the leaf was pulverized. This is so much more aromatic and flavorful. I brewed a pot for us, pretty strongly and it’s magnificent. Floated a dried lime slice in my own cup and it’s providing a hint of lime florality and tartness. Dittany is very soothing for me, with an aroma and taste much like Greek oregano: somewhat savory, mildly bitter and sweet, not as pungent or spicy… but also refreshing. It has that cooling feeling from thymol, which is a compound in other herbs like thyme, oregano and marjoram.
The small jar is going to go quickly. I wish we had enough for me to send out a few samples.
People who liked this
Comments
That sounds interesting and those “home blends” are always the best :D
That’s a new one on me. I’m fascinated!
Hey Derk, since you have Greek relatives, do you happen to know a good source for Greek Mountain Tea/Sideritis? I am quite taken with the stuff…
Unfortunately I don’t have a good source for sideritis beyond my family’s trips. But next time they go, I’ll request some and happily send it to you :)
I think Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh, NC carries it, Mastress Alita!
Thank you both! I was introduced by a random gifting of some from Steepsterer Meowster (in Greek packaging) and fell in love with the stuff, and its almost gone, hahaha.
That sounds interesting and those “home blends” are always the best :D
That’s a new one on me. I’m fascinated!
Hey Derk, since you have Greek relatives, do you happen to know a good source for Greek Mountain Tea/Sideritis? I am quite taken with the stuff…
Unfortunately I don’t have a good source for sideritis beyond my family’s trips. But next time they go, I’ll request some and happily send it to you :)
I think Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh, NC carries it, Mastress Alita!
Thank you both! I was introduced by a random gifting of some from Steepsterer Meowster (in Greek packaging) and fell in love with the stuff, and its almost gone, hahaha.