Subscription services are a popular choice for those who love the excitement of mail every month curated just for their addictions. They are also something I’m a big fan of because the idea of being surprised each month with what my box may entail is so much fun. Being a major tea lover, I of course love any subscription box that is tea related and will make a point to try as many as I possibly can. I find it to be a nice way to taste new teas. I’ve tried many the past few years and keep coming back to the same ones that I think are the best tea subscription boxes out there.
That being said, I haven’t tried every single tea subscription service out there. There are actually quite a bit available! Maybe one day I will and if I try a new one I love, I’ll be sure to update this list.
For now, the current subscription services on this list are just ones that I have tried and would recommend anyone trying at least once for great tea goodies at a great value.
Value is a big thing I look for when it comes to services like this. I’ve had some other subscription services (not just tea related) in the past that I have felt were lacking in items or quality items quite often for the price that was paid.
The criteria for my best tea subscription boxes was simple. Each tea subscription service had to:
– Ship monthly
– Contain tea (obviously)
– Provide quality/quantity for the cost
– Tried at least once and loved by me
Best Tea Subscription Boxes I Recommend
I have organized this list in two categories (Just Tea and Tea & Things) to help you understand the main contents of each box. The list is in no particular order.
Contents: Just Tea
Amoda Tea
This was one of the first tea subscription boxes I have ever tried. It has changed a bit since the first time I was introduced to it though, but it still contains all that you need to discover new teas handcrafted in small batches in North America. I’ve found a lot of new favourite, all natural, tea blends thanks to them!
Since early 2023, Amoda tea subscribers are now able to fully customize their monthly tea box. This means you can select the teas you’d like to sample each month! If you wish to have teas remain a surprise, that is still an option, too.
(Full disclosure: this article was originally written in 2016. Since mid-2019 I have been the tea curator for this tea subscription box)
What You Get:
– 4 teas (12+ cups)
– Disposable, biodegradable tea filters
– Gorgeous tea postcard
– 20% off everything on their online store (ie. matcha, loose leaf teas, etc.)
– Free shipping
Teabox
A more recent tea subscription box I have tried and loved not only because of the contents but also because of the presentation. I really adore Teabox’s clean, sleek style.
They work closely with farms across India and Nepal to source the best and freshest teas for their boxes. After taking a short online quiz, they will select the perfect teas for your palate.
You can choose to subscribe for 3 months, 6 months, or just one month. Discounts apply for longer term.
What You Get:
– 5 Premium Teas
– Themed box, every month
– Free worldwide express shipping
Tea Sparrow
I first came across this tea subscription box at the Toronto Tea Festival. I was able to taste some delicious teas that they included in their box and have only heard wonderful things from others who have subscribed to them before, too.
They started back in June 2011 with Jane Pettigrew’s help to identify the companies that were creating clean, all natural tea blends. You won’t find artificial ingredients and preservatives in your tea box from them!
What You Get:
– 4 teas (18+ cups)
Simple Loose Leaf
I always liked how this tea subscription box organized their teas. For example, a box will usually be filled with a tea from different categories (black, green, etc.). That’s their original sampler.
If you wish to have a box that is just herbal, green or black teas, you have that option, too! You are always given a great selection of loose leaf teas from around the world.
What You Get:
– 4 teas (16-20 cups of tea per box)
– linen tea filters
Sips By
If you’re interested in exploring 100+ global tea brands at an affordable price, try this tea subscription box. To start your tea journey with Sips By, you create a free tea profile on their website and are then directed to a quiz that will help them determine the types of teas you’re interested in to include in your personalized box.
I have to say, I was so impressed with how spot on the teas from my first Sips By box matched my taste buds and I was also excited that I had the chance to try a few tea companies I never experienced before.
This subscription box occasionally includes tea bags and not just loose leaf tea, though.
What You Get:
– 4 teas that match your taste preferences (15+ cups)
– Disposable tea filters
Contents: Tea & Things
The NovelTea Book Club
I’ve always been one to say one of my favourite tea pairings (aside from food) are books! This tea subscription box is perfect for just that. Like the box above, I have not subscribed to this box myself, however, a friend did and we indulged in a read and tea together.
It will definitely help you escape from reality for a moment with a great cup of tea by your side.
What You Get:
– A book with extra stationary items (for a more affordable option, you can opt for a second-hand book instead)
– Tea
Global Tea Hut
Another great tea subscription service that is perfect for steeping, sipping and reading! I really like how I feel connected through the stories shared in the magazine from other tea lovers around the world.
The proceeds from this tea subscription box go directly towards the centre, the Tea Sage Hut, in Taiwan. Therefore, the price is based on donations with a set minimum and maximum amount.
What You Get:
– Tea & Tao Magazine
– Tea related gift (past examples: incense, tea utensils, art)
– Tea
Teapro
If you’re looking to learn more about tea with a tea subscription box, check this one out. The idea behind this monthly box is to take tea drinkers on a journey through the different types of tea.
Each monthly box focuses on one tea type in depth. Subscribers would learn about the different varieties while getting to taste some, too.
Another neat addition to this box is that every month you will acquire a new tea skill (ie. learning how to taste tea and use the flavour wheel).
What You Get:
– 4 loose leaf teas, each containing enough for about 8-10 cups
– tea adventure pamphlet with stickers to mark each box you get to discover, and new tea skills acquired
– an extra gift is sometimes included! (ie. teaware or tea accessory)
Psst…Get 20% off your first box with code: teapro20teaaholic
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Is there a tea subscription service you love (on or off this list)? Share some of your best tea subscription boxes in the comments below!
This a great topic, Lu Ann. I have tried a few on your list, and there are a couple more I’d like to try. One of my new year’s goals was to try new teas and one strategy was to use tea subscriptions. This is how I first subscibed to Yunnan Sourcing.
I once received a courtesy subscription box with tea and a music file. I’m not sure the company still exists.
Thanks Georgia! It’s my hope that this list will not only introduce others to new tea subscription boxes, but myself as well. I didn’t realize Yunnan Sourcing had a subscription service. I’ll have to check if they still do.
It was name True Serenity Tea
I have also tried a few one of my faves Eco Cha. Amazing tea and wonderful accoutrements.
What a kind friend you have to share the Tea Box Express experience! Thanks so much for including us!
Lu Ann, many thanks for this nice and informative post! I’ve only tried a few tea subscriptions yet and will for sure now try some of the ones you recommended! In case you are looking for great oolong tea from Taiwan, I can also recommend to check out the monthly tea subscriptions from Dachi Tea.
I also wrote a post on them on my blog, if you’d like to read some more about it.
Hi Fiete,
Thanks for the recommendation. As a big oolong drinker, I’m always looking for more. Definitely going to check out your post on them.
We need a service as good as tea box but for the nation of China. Predominately pure, single estate teas, where we know when they where they were picked and are vacuumed sealed and sent every month in a smart, professional method.
Do you have Matcha Subscription Box ?
Unfortunately, I am not aware of matcha subscription boxes. However, sometimes you can find matcha in general tea subscription boxes and there are some matcha companies out there that offer a subscription program.
Hey Shelly, I subscribe to Matcha Box from AuNaturalis. They are a nice subscription box shipping from Japan. You can check them out here. I have actually shifted from coffee to having Matcha at work, so I am a regular customer of theirs. Hehe!
https://aunaturalis.com/product/aunaturalis-matcha-box-monthly/
My favorite is Simplicity Teas. They have amazing flavors, all organic, and you get alot! Definitely a great value!
Blue bird tea from the UK is a great box
How about True Serenity Tea?
Great selection of tea subscription services. Thanks for taking the time to detail so many. We want more of these in the UK!
I appreciate that there are monthly subscriptions on getting a herbal tea sampler. I like that Simple loose leaf hands out their signature teas to tease their subscribers. If I were a tea expert, I will need to subscribe to most of these on the suggestion list.