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Herbal (tisane) · Island tea

Sage Tea (Ada Çayı)

Ada çayı, Greek sage, Salvia fruticosa

7.2/10 editor's score

Sage tea, ada çayı or "island tea", is popular on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Greek sage, a native of the eastern Mediterranean, is a common source.

Caffeine-freeHerbalTurkish
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this herbCompare

Tisane, not from Camellia sinensis. Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dried sage leaves, top-down

What you need

1.5 g dried leavesSage Tea (Ada Çayı)
250 ml water100°C
Steep 5:002 steeps
InfusionPale gold-green
Served inMug or cup

At a glance

Sage tea, ada çayı or "island tea", is popular on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

CaffeineCaffeine-free
Beginner fit8.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring to summerLeaves picked spring to summer.
Pairs withHoney, Lemon, SimitLess good with delicate teas
Grown asCoastal hillsMediterranean coast, Southern Turkey
Served inMug or cupA general choice

About Sage Tea (Ada Çayı)

What sources say about the taste

Sources say several Salvia, Sideritis and occasionally Stachys species are all drunk as "sage tea" in Turkey 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it is grown

Mediterranean coastSouthern TurkeyTURKEY
Name
Ada çayı, "island tea" 1
Popular in
Turkey's Mediterranean region 1
Plant
Salvia fruticosa and other Salvia 12
Trade
Greek sage is 50 to 95% of dried sage in North America 2

More from Mediterranean coast and Turkey.

History and culture

Phoenicians and Greeks likely brought Greek sage to the Iberian peninsula 2.

Editor's score

7.2/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the plant, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 6.0Origin & heritage: 7.0Availability: 7.5Value: 9.0Beginner-friendliness: 8.0Versatility: 7.5Flavour 6.0Heritage 7.0Availability 7.5Value 9.0Beginners 8.0Versatility 7.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg
Sage Tea (Ada Çayı)0 mg

Sage is caffeine-free. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Picked as the plant grows. Tap a month or a season.

The plant

Salvia fruticosa, native to the eastern Mediterranean 2.

How it is made
01Picking

Leafy stems cut.

02Drying

Dried in shade.

Dry herb and infusion
Dry leavesSoft, grey-green leaves.
LiquorPale gold-green.
After steeping
Wet leafVelvety leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Honey
  • Lemon
  • Simit

Best avoided

  • Delicate teas

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Dried flowers and leaves lose aroma within about a year.
  • Buy small amounts and keep away from spices and coffee, which taint the smell.
Quality and buying

Whole leaves are best.

Buying tips

  1. Several plants are sold as "sage tea" 1.
  2. Go light: it is strong.
FAQ
Is ada çayı always sage?

Not always: Sideritis (mountain tea) is also sold as sage tea in Turkey 1.

Find it inHerbal infusionsTeas from TurkeyMediterranean coastCaffeine-freeHerbalTurkish

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tea in Turkey". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_in_Turkey
  2. Wikipedia, "Salvia fruticosa". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_fruticosa
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.