Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Rainy Tisane Season

It has been a gloomy few days here in NYC. The grey clouds are heavy and the tops of skyscrapers are veiled in misty fog. This weather makes it difficult to get up in the morning, and seems to enhance little aches and pains.

I've been saving a special herbal tea for just the right occasion (or more like putting it off until I was ready to try it), and I think it's time. I don't usually drink tisanes, as they aren't officially tea and I don't usually like an herbal or floral tasting brew. But I'm trying to keep an open mind, so I took out a special box sent to me by a fellow tea lover.


The tea is called "Matri: Tea of the Mother", and according to their website, "Matri® was blended to breathe women in birth in the most high & loving way. Matri was created by Sacred Rose® Organic Herbal Teas to inspire mothers to be unified with the higher consciousness of the physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual body systems". I have two young children, so I'm not exactly planning on going into labor anytime soon, but I was intrigued. I also believe drinking tea presents an opportunity to relax and be more aware of the mind and body. The description may have bit a bit 'crunchy' for my taste, but hey, it's a 'mother's' tea, so this worn out mother decided to give it a try.

The leaves smell like dried grass and herbs, but I can't pinpoint anything specific. I wasn't sure how to brew the tea since I didn't see any instructions. But I just added a bunch of the mixture to a cup with a strainer, and poured in the hot water. The brew smells very grassy, which I assume is from the alfalfa and dandelion. There is also a hint of lemon and ginger. It has a very pleasant taste. Gently grassy, a bit lemony and a slight taste of ginger. It has a nice calming effect. It is very soft and smooth on the tongue. I've had a sore throat for a few days, and this tisane is definitely soothing my throat a bit. On this damp and gloomy day, it is warming and cheerful. The grassy flavor makes me hopeful for sunny days out in the park.

The Matri tea contains everything I dislike in an herbal tea, but I'm glad I decided to try it. It has made me pause a bit and re-think. While I won't reach for this tea (or any other of its kind) on a daily basis, it's good to have around when I'm feeling under the weather, or just need a bit of warming up on a chilly day. Perhaps next time I'm offered an herbal tea I will not be so quick to dismiss it. Or at least I'll try to be a bit more open minded.

1 comment:

  1. Philadelphia has also looked very similar on many days lately, with the tops of the tall buildings obscured by fog or clouds.

    I have not tried this particular tea from Sacred Rose but I was impressed with the quality of the other four teas I have tried so far.

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