The Best Tea Sampler Sets

Tea Drops Herbal Sampler Assortment

Loosen Up

These little tea drops have a big flavor without a big mess.

Best Loose Leaf

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Loose-leaf devotees often say that the method provides a much bolder flavor than using a teabag, but it can be a bit intimidating if you’re not used to the process. So we instantly fell in love with this lovely sampler of herbal teas from Tea Drops, designed to produce the intense flavor of loose tea without causing the mess. The loose tea leaves are pressed into charming, convenient little shapes, so all you need to do is pour boiling water over them and stir to enjoy that fresh-brewed flavor. Each shape is infused with a bit of sugar and some spices, so there isn’t any need to add additional elements to your mug. These teas are also environmentally friendly since every element dissolves in the water without leaving a teabag behind.

Pros:

• Wooden crate used for packaging can be repurposed to hold other objects
• Provides a mixture of herbal and caffeinated blends

Con:

• All five blends do include some level of sugar, so if you like your tea entirely unsweetened, these may be too sugary for you

Bigelow Sampler Variety Pack

Tea for Two (or Three, or Four...)

This inclusive set would satisfy everyone at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Most Variety

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Bigelow has been crafting teas for over 70 years, which is why we know we can trust them to deliver reliably delicious quality. In this 49-flavor package, there’s sure to be something to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds, as they’ve gone above and beyond to handpick this assortment. In addition to the brand’s most popular blends like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, they’ve curated this box with some of their more interesting flavors, such as Mint, Cinnamon, and two kinds of Chai. And if you’re someone who enjoys drinking tea without caffeine, you’ll be happy to find five herbal blends included here.

Pros:

• Includes caffeinated as well as non-caffeinated teas
• Teabags are wrapped in foil to preserve the rich flavors
• Family-owned company

Con:

• The box is fragile and may experience wear and tear during transit

Numi Organic Tea By Mood Set

Suit Your Mood

Whether you need to pep up or chill out, this set has the solution.

Most Innovative

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The brother and sister team behind Numi wants their customers to know that their teas can do more than just provide alertness with caffeine. Each one of the eight blends included in this set serves its own special purpose: there’s Chamomille to promote relaxation and sleep, Breakfast Blend to help with focus and concentration, and Pu-erh, a fermented tea, to give a boost of energy. Additionally, this is one of the most environmentally-friendly sets we discovered, as the bags are made from biodegradable fibers instead of plastic, and all of the packaging is certified as Climate Neutral. We also love that Numi gives you the option to subscribe to their sets, which means that you’ll never run out of your favorites.

Pros:

• Also available in a Global Discovery set that introduces tea enthusiasts to unique blends from around the globe
• The associated moods provide an accessible way to begin journeying into the world of tea
• Each tea is certified organic

Con:

• Cardboard separators for each tea blend may shift and cause teabags to shift and become incorrectly labeled

Tazo Tea Sampler Gift Set

A Bag Full of Bags

This little kit is a great option for those who need to grab their tea and go.

Best For Gifting

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Though the thought of leisurely sipping our morning cup of tea on the porch sounds ideal, unfortunately, that isn’t the morning routine many of us experience. If the on-the-go tea-lover in your life deserves something special, this set from Tazo is the perfect little present. Inside the lovely bag, you’ll find a stainless steel cup to brew the tea and keep it warm for up to three hours. Also included are a dozen different blends of tea and ten honey sticks, which are not only convenient but cut way down on any risk of a sticky mess. Whoever happens to be the lucky recipient of this little one-serving set is sure to be satisfied.

Pros:

• The insulated mug has great value on its own, as its owner will be able to continue to use it long after the accompanying tea is gone
• Varieties of included tea span Tazo’s entire catalog, which means that you may just find a new favorite flavor you weren’t aware of

Con:

• The mugs are sent at random, so you can’t choose the color you receive

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average shelf-life of tea leaves?

As long as your teas are stored in a cool, dry place, they should remain fresh for about a year without losing flavor. But each blend does have some nuances, mostly caused by the way the tea is prepared. For example, black tea undergoes the most processing and will last the longest. Green and white teas are a bit more natural and will have a shorter shelf-life, usually somewhere between 9 – 10 months. Either way, though, your tea is very unlikely to “spoil” — it will just be less flavorful.

Are there really health benefits from drinking tea?

Many companies will tell you that their teas will help with all kinds of things from weight loss to immune support to cholesterol, but most of those claims have not been verified by health professionals. What we do know is that most teas do contain healthy antioxidants and are a healthier beverage alternative to sugary coffee drinks or sodas and can have a positive impact when included as part of a healthy lifestyle.