Summer Berries

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

Backlogging. I had this tea a couple of days ago and it’s pretty weak. I made one cup according to directions and then made another cup using 3x as much tea. Both cups were just watery. I didn’t finish either cup.

Kristin sent me some of this (thanks!), and I was eager to try it despite her sad review, because the photo looks so good. Brewed, it tastes of herbs, but not at all of berries. I feel like I’m drinking a cup of sage in hot water. Funny for a brew that advertises itself as fruity… straining to taste something fruity there may be a hint of berry, but only because I’m trying so hard. Meh to this.