Kawaii Klub

I know from watching countless episodes of anime that tea is a preferred beverage in Japan.  In fact, it's more than just plopping a tea bag into a steaming cup of boiling water.  Some teas are delicately matched with other flavors and some teas are brewed at lower temperatures.  It's really quite an art, much like how coffee has become in the United States.

Have you attempted to make your own tea with loose tea leaves, fruit peelings and herbs?  What was a success?  What failed, and why do you think so?