Tea Sparrow

What's in the box: Each month's box holds four teas from the caffeinated, herbal or mixed range, as loose leaf or compostable bags, which the company says makes about 35 cups.

Tea Sparrow is a Canadian tea subscription that sends a selection of teas each month in one of three boxes: Caffeinated, Herbal, or Mixed. Subscribers choose between loose leaf tea and compostable tea bags. The site also says you can customize a box by picking your four favorite teas instead of leaving the whole selection to the company. It estimates about 35 cups of tea per month, which is a sensible amount for one regular tea drinker or a small household to share. The brand puts a lot of weight on what goes into its teas and its packaging. It says every tea is vegan and free from artificial additives or flavourings. It also says it uses only compostable, paper recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Those are useful commitments if you care about ingredients and waste, though we have not checked them independently. The featured blends lean toward flavoured, dessert-style teas, such as a black tea with bergamot and vanilla, a cardamom and rose blend, and a vanilla rooibos and honeybush tisane. If you mostly drink plain, single-origin teas, the range may feel sweet. A money back guarantee on boxes makes it less risky to try. The service is aimed mainly at Canada, so buyers elsewhere should check availability and costs before subscribing.