Name: Chamomili from Greek Macedonia (Χαμομήλι Μακεδονίας)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 small cups
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 6g dried Greek chamomile flowers (chamomili), whole flower heads; 500ml freshly boiled water, rested 1 minute; 1 to 2 teaspoons Greek thyme honey, optional

Question 1

How do you make chamomili from Greek Macedonia?

Accepted Answer

Make chamomili from Greek Macedonia by steeping 6g whole dried Greek chamomile flowers in 500ml freshly boiled water rested for 1 minute. Cover the teapot or cup and steep for 8 minutes, then strain into two small cups without pressing the flowers.

Question 2

Why should you not boil dried chamomile flowers?

Accepted Answer

Do not boil dried chamomile flowers because boiling pulls a sour, grassy taste from the blossoms. For chamomili, pour freshly boiled water that has rested 1 minute over the flowers, then steep covered for 8 minutes to keep the pale apple-sweet aroma in the cup.

Question 3

How much dried Greek chamomile do I need for 500ml water?

Accepted Answer

Use 6g dried Greek chamomile flowers for 500ml water to make two small cups of chamomili. For a fuller cup, add another 2g whole dried flower heads per 500ml water instead of steeping longer, because over-steeping creates bitterness rather than clean strength.

Question 4

How do I know dried chamomile flowers are good quality?

Accepted Answer

Good dried Greek chamomile flowers are mostly whole flower heads with yellow centers, pale dried petals, and a clean scent faintly like apple. Rub one flower between your fingers before brewing. If the chamomile smells dusty, like old hay, or like straw, it has lost its best flavor.

Question 5

Can I sweeten chamomili with honey?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sweeten chamomili with 1 to 2 teaspoons Greek thyme honey after straining. Drink the Greek chamomile tea plain first so you can taste the mild apple-like flowers, then stir in honey if the infusion tastes delicate or you want a softer evening cup.

Question 6

How should I store dried and brewed chamomili?

Accepted Answer

Store dried chamomile flowers in airtight glass in a dark cupboard for up to 1 year. After 1 year, dried chamomile loses its apple scent. Brewed chamomili tastes best fresh, but you can chill the strained tea for up to 24 hours and serve it cold without reheating.

Culinary Explorer

Chamomili from Greek Macedonia (Χαμομήλι Μακεδονίας)

Ingredients

dried Greek chamomile flowers (chamomili)

freshly boiled water

Greek thyme honey (optional)

Where cooking meets culture.

Ingredient	Quantity
dried Greek chamomile flowers (chamomili)whole flower heads	6g
freshly boiled waterrested 1 minute	500ml
Greek thyme honey (optional)	1 to 2 teaspoons