Doğadan Relax Melisa comes in a light blue box of 20 individually portioned tea bags, and the front of the pack describes it as a karışık bitki çayı, a mixed herbal tea. Melisa is the Turkish name for melissa, also known as lemon balm, a leafy herb with a mild, lemony aroma that has long been brewed in Turkish homes. The exact blend behind this Relax edition is printed on the box rather than published online, so the herb in the name is the best guide to its character.
In Turkish households a herbal cup like this is often poured after the evening meal, in a small tulip-shaped glass or an ordinary mug. Many people add a teaspoon of honey or a thin slice of lemon, and in summer it can be brewed a little stronger, cooled and poured over ice with a few mint leaves. Its gentle style suits plain biscuits, simit or a light dessert rather than strong flavours.
Place one bag in a cup, pour over freshly boiled water and leave it to infuse for around five minutes, or as directed on the box, with a saucer on top to keep the aroma in. Keep the box closed in a cool, dry place, away from coffee and other strong-smelling foods, and read the ingredient list on your pack before use if you have any dietary concerns.