spindle_ella | Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubs

Okay, so I mentioned last time about subscriptions and suchlike.

First, tea-enthusiasts! This arrived only a couple of days after ordering, but I wanted to try them all first and then stuff got in the way of posting:

tea subscription box

So the teas are:

* Caramel Kiss (black)

I tried this one first since I'm not a massive fan of flavoured black teas, and I had a slight concern that I'd keep putting it off. It's not great when black, but adding a splash of milk and half a sugar just makes it sing. Gorgeous caramel without tasting chemically or artificial (I pick up on those real quick). I love it, which is saying a lot when it comes to me with flavoured black teas.

* Love Brew (fruit)

This is a really nice fruity tea; tonnes of fruit flavour without the artificial mouth-feel that often comes with it. They've used elderberry as a base-note, which really balances it out nicely. It's nice on its own, but half a spoonful of linden honey brought the flavours out even more. I think it would be nice iced too, although the base notes might complicate that. Really good for my sore throat.

* Cranberry Rose Sencha (green)

I saved this for last because I love a good flower sencha, and the combination with cranberry sounded great, but it fell a bit flat for me. Maybe a combination of the other two being so good and me having high hopes for this already? It's not going to be a chore to drink it though; it's just not as fab as I'd hoped and I won't be rushing to order more.

* sample of Sniffle Slayer (herbal)

I love this one and really need to buy more; I wish it'd been one of the proper ones rather than a sample as I have a really sore throat at the moment. Most of the 'cold' teas I've comes across are super heavy-handed with either ginger or lemongrass, but this is really balanced out and mellow. I added a spoonful of linden honey and just let it soothe. Definitely needs bags though as it's way too fine for a strainer.

Also included were a ball strainer and some diy teabags. I haven't used the strainer since I already have many of those, but I used the bags and they're actually really great - much easier than a lot of others I've tried. I'll probably buy some of those when I order from the shop itself.

Second! Book and a Brew. I knew the book I was getting as I ordered a back issue.

book and a brew box

I have no idea why these pictures are sideways but oh well. (I am tired and needed to take extra pain meds so...)

open book and a brew box

I didn't know what the tea would be, but I'm very happy with teapigs popcorn tea. I've had it before and it's a nice genmai cha (green tea with toasted rice). So more than happy with that.