I’m really glad that I hadn’t looked up this tea on Steepster before chosing it as a free sample with my Teas Etc. order. I would’ve run screaming.
The smell? Both wet and dry reminds me of this little local gift shop that sold Mary Engelbreit stuff and tons of lotions, perfumes, potpourri, and jewelry. I haven’t been there in over a decade and smelling this tea immediately transported me there.
Berries? Not so much. If I do the Jedi Mind-Fuzzing Tea Trick I can sort of taste a hint of fruit. Potpourri? Oh yes. This is like a steeped potpourri. There’s a neat sweetness that lingers around my mouth after I sip, and that’s what gave my tea rating a boost.
I also had a wonderful realization: Tea Etc’s steeping instructions for samples come on the bag that’s tucked into the tins. You cut open the bag, deposit the tea into the tin, and then toss the bag. I think this is why the Organic Relaxation was so very different on my second steep. Just looking at my two tasting notes my first nummy cup was with boiling water. On the second icky cup I had dropped it to a typical temp for tisanes: 180. I’m really raring to go try the Relaxation again, but with the hotter water.
I have enough sample for one more pot and I won’t be dreading that pot. I’m just rather ambivilent about this particular tea. But will I order more of this? No, no I won’t. M
I feel like they put the same amt/time instructions on every tea. I’ve started ignoring their instructions. 1 tsp to 8 oz is never enough tea.
Hey Kristin,
I agree with you, I don’t know one herbal tea that only needs 1 tsp per 8 oz. I put 1.5 tsp on my bag instructions for herbal teas, some even need more than that. It’s interesting to note, though, that when you order tea at a loose tea shop, notice the ‘teaspoon’ they use. It’s almost the size of a full tablespoon. There is a hand carved bamboo ‘teaspoon’ which is used by many that is actually a flat bottom teaspoon that really scoops the perfect amount of tea, just make sure to fill it only half way when making gyokuro or other green or black teas. I’ve ordered some and when I get them in, I’ll send you a link to them.
I have tea ‘teaspoons’ but mine are definitely not that big. Mine probably really are just rounded teaspoon spoons. Have one from Teavana and several from TG. They are occasionally just thrown in with tea orders.
Yeah, I gotcha. In the end, I guess it’s all about experimenting with the amounts for each tea. You can almost guarantee that an herbal tea will need between 1.5 -2 tsp. Plus whenever possible I let the herbal teas steep as long as possible to conserve tea.