The Top 5 Teas

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Taylors of Harrogate Classic Tea Variety Box

We picked the Taylors of Harrogate Classic Tea pack because it offers so many different options, and the company is based in the UK – home of the afternoon tea. Taylors of Harrogate have been making tea since 1886 and the taste and quality really come across in this set. They’re also very conscious of their impact on the supply chain needs between farms and consumers.

The characteristics of this tea set were strong and we appreciated that you don’t need to include several tea bags to get a stronger flavor. I recommend purchasing the 48 count pack, which includes 6 of each type.

Pros:

Available in 4 package sizes
Each pack includes multiples of each variety
Good range of teas, made in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens
Company is environmentally friendly

Cons:

The teas are packed firmly into the packaging and are a bit hard to get out

Bigelow Herbal Tea 6 Flavor Pack

Bigelow is an American company who makes their tea in America since 1945. Some reviewers believe that this tea helped them with issues such as anxiety and menopausal sweats.

We loved all the different flavors but in particular the Vanilla Chai and Peppermint Tea. Not all teas have a strong smell and taste, but these Bigelow ones do. They claim to use hand-picked teas, and it makes sense based on the explosively smooth taste.

Pros:

Caffeine-free teas
Good value
Well-rounded pack
Comes in a variety of pack sizes
Sustainably sourced tea

Cons:

The Sweet and Spicy flavor teabags expired in a month from the point I received them

Ahmad Tea Twelve Teas Variety Gift Box

If you’re looking for a giftable tea set for the aficionado in your life, try this Ahmad Tea one. It’s packed in England and includes 60 foil-wrapped teabags in a beautifully adorned box. I liked that the individual teas were wrapped to keep them fresh.

We especially loved the fruity black teas – the Lemon and Lime Twist variety is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted, and the Blackcurrant Burst provided a surprisingly delicious bite of fruit.

Pros:

Kosher certified
A mix of caffeine-free and low-caffeine varieties
Good mix of green teas, fruit teas, and classic teas
The pretty box is cute for gifting or displaying on your counter
High-quality teabag packaging

Cons:

The Darjeeling variety was somewhat chalky

Stash Tea Fruity Herbal Six Flavor Assortment

If you’re the type of person who just says no to basic teas, try this Stash set. It includes 6 boxes of 18-20 bags of teas each in herbal flavors. My favorite was the Lemon Ginger and Mango Passionfruit because they made me feel like I was sitting on a beach somewhere instead of sitting in my gray-walled cubicle.

This tea feels and tastes high-quality. Stash is a company that is a Certified B Corp, which basically means the tea ingredients are sustainably sourced.

Pros:

Fruity teas have a strong taste
Great flavors: Meyer Lemon, Wild Raspberry Hibiscus, Mango Passionfruit, Strawberry Pomegranate, Acai Berry, and Lemon Ginger
Good teabag packaging to keep the teas fresh
Non-GMO ingredients
Sustainably sourced

Cons:

The teabags are a bit delicate so you must handle carefully

Tea Forte Tea Tasting Petite Presentation Box Sampler

For the new tea drinker or the person who wants to learn more about tea flavors, try this sampler box. The tea itself is shaped like a pyramid for a more luxurious infusion, and each tea is described on the box for more information.

This is a very classy-looking set, with choice, high-quality flavors to match. It feels very gourmet and would not be out of place as a post-dinner drink at a Governor’s ball. My favorite flavor was the White Ginger Pear, which is made from Pai Mu white tea with sweet pear and zingy ginger – according to the box. Whatever it is, I drank all these teas faster than I care to admit.

Pros:

Beautiful packaging explains what’s in each tea and what it looks like ground
Pyramid-shaped tea infusers help tea flavor water fully
A variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated options
A mix of classic flavors like Earl Grey and new flavors like Chamomile Citron

Cons:

To get the full effect of the pyramid-shaped teabag, you would need to purchase the accompanying tray and cup with a special lid

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to brew tea?

Most people brew tea by pouring hot water into a cup then add the tea. You must steep the tea before drinking to let the flavor soak in, generally for 1-5 minutes at 170-209 degrees Farenheit. Follow the package instructions for the best results.

What kinds of tea are there? Are they all caffeinated?

There are a lot of different flavors but they generally fall into these categories: