For loose-leaf tea lovers in the middle of a pandemic, it can be hard to get recommendations for new teas to try. Fewer shops are open, and making a choice based on the online notes alone can be hit or miss. However, the Canadian-based loose-leaf tea company David’s Teas came to the rescue with a seasonally curated box of their teas, perfectly crafted to make any tea aficionado happy.

I had been a long time fan and drinker of David’s Teas, due to their wide variety of flavorful teas and welcoming staff that was always willing to share their insight on new flavors and old favorites. When the announcement came out for their Tea Tasting Club Box, I knew I had to register. I struggle to find new recommendations for teas, and usually I need other people in stores to voice in on what they like to find something new, but since COVID-19 caused David’s Teas brick and mortar stores to close, I’ve found myself in a rut of buying the same teas I always buy.

The Tea Tasting Club Box had been marketed as a seasonal subscription box—meaning a new box would be sent out every three months—of eight exclusive, new, or fan-favorite teas for buyers to try, as well as some teaware such as mugs, David’s Teas patented Perfect Spoon, which is used to measure the tea, and tea tins, all for $140, or $35 a box—shipping included.

     Shipping was fairly fast; my mother and I ordered our box on a Monday, and that Saturday the box had arrived. Inside the box were eight teas, as well as a guide to the teas and how to prepare them, and an exclusive tin. The teas ranged in types, from oolongs to herbals, greens to rooibos, blacks to mates, and the flavors and properties varied as well. One of the teas, affectionately named Cold 9-1-1, had peppermint, eucalyptus, and juniper berries, and was designed to help with congestion during a cold due to its strong scent. I doubted how strong it actually was, inhaled deeply, and spent the next five minutes coughing. However, my sinuses were definitely cleared, and the tea itself had a very light taste, in contrast to its strong smell.

In the winter box for the Tea Tasting Club, there had been three herbal teas, two oolong teas, and one of each of the following: mate infusion, green tea, and rooibos tea. These teas ranged in strengths, from high caffeine to caffeine-free. This box can cater to all sorts of tea drinkers, and once a favorite tea from the bunch has been found, the provided booklet also recommends other teas to try.

Overall, I found the teas included in the winter box to be delicious. A few teas did not deliver for me for a variety of reasons, such as the Japanese Sencha reminding me too much of grass, the Morning Detox lacking flavor, and the Salted Caramel Rooibos being a sweet, dessert-like tea, and I don’t particularly enjoy dessert teas.

However, the Lemon Lullaby, Sweet Tart, Sunny C, and Strawberries and Cream teas were showstoppers. The Lemon Lullaby reminded me of something akin to a Lemonhead candy in its smell, but had a very subtle lemony taste that was relaxing and perfect for bedtime. Sweet Tart, similar to its namesake, was a bright, tart, tea without being bitter, with cherry undertones, and I preferred it iced rather than hot. Sunny C smelled and tasted like the citrus Vitamin C Halls cough drops, with a sour taste that wasn’t overwhelming, and was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Strawberries and Cream had a very subtle strawberry taste, and tasted much better iced than hot, though it couldn’t steep too long, or it got bitter, but not long enough made it watery.

I can definitely see myself ordering the teas I liked in larger quantities, and I cannot wait to get the spring box in April. The box is still available on David’s Tea’s website, for $140 for a yearly subscription.