the 5-stars are not tea drinkers. a real cup of tea from loose leafs should steep anywhere from 3-5 minutes. meaning the leaves have to be immersed in water that has been BOILED for this time. this machine does what a coffeemaker does. it heats water to HOT, about 30 degrees under what it should be for tea. it then drips the water over the tea and immediately into the cup. not enough time for the "steeping" process. if you just want to drink tea to replace coffee and have no knowledge of what tea should taste like beyond the cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel stuff you get at the gas station in the morning, get a coffee pot. it does the same thing.if you are a real tea drinker, move along. or save your receipt.