Spilling The Tea

On my favorite teas, spring shopping, and a neck cream that's worth its weight in gold

Mar 24, 2026

Shitters! When I started this newsletter, the goal was to share the Shit I Bought and Liked with you, the (my) people! The recs have run the gamut over the years, but some of my favorite letters have been about the more random shit that I love, and I’d like to think that today’s falls into that same category.

I’d say that I’m a casual tea drinker. It’s not always what I go for, but I do like my morning matcha and something herbal/caffeine-free most nights, especially when it’s cold out. Over the years, I’ve found a few brands and blends that I love, and I thought it would be fun to share some of them! Disclaimer: I’m definitely not a tea expert. I haven’t tried all the brands and blends out there—not even close! These are just ones that I’ve enjoyed!

Candle* lit, tea finished, new thriller underway—heaven on a Monday night (mug / coasters)

Kiwami Matcha: A lot of matcha can taste grassy or earthier than I like, but not this one. The notes are naturally creamy and sweeter, which lends itself nicely to matcha lattes. Making them at home means I can control the amount of matcha powder that goes in (I always use a little less than one teaspoon because I’m really not a caffeine person), and can use my preferred milk combo (I froth this cashew milk with 2/3 a scoop of this marine collagen/pearl blend* for protein/skin benefits, plus a little maple syrup for some sweetness). I get my perfect latte every single time, which is NOT the case at most cafes, and don’t have to spend $10+ per drink. (It’s definitely a decent up-front cost between the matcha powder and the tools, but the packets lasts me around three months. I started with the smaller size before I committed to the bigger one, but trust me—it’s GOOD). As far as tools go, I treated myself to one of Matchaful’s sets around my birthday last year, but there are plenty of less expensive versions out there too.

Most of the teas below come in tea bags, but these are useful to have for loose leaf versions (individual strainer / ball strainer / glass cigar*)

P.S. If you’re in need of an electric kettle, I’ve turned most of my family onto this one—it heats up SO quickly and quietly and lets you set specific temperatures down to the degree.

Soba Cha: This buckwheat tea is the newest-to-me tea discovery! It has such a warm, toasty flavor, and slightly sweet, nutty finish—if you see it on a menu somewhere (I found it at Gem Home recently), try it! It’s so nice, and different than your usual herbal tea. To me, it’s perfect for colder weather—I love it in the afternoon, or as a little taste of something sweet after dinner. Their loose version is the same ingredient and way less expensive per serving than the tea bags.

Chamomile: You’ve heard me rave about this brand before. This was the first tea that I’d tried where the inside of the tea bag wasn’t just uniform brownish mush. You can see full ingredients instead of finely ground shavings, and the vibrant yellow of the chamomile is visible within the sachet (it’s also SO unbelievably fragrant!). Plus their tea bags are entirely plant-based. You’d never guess from the packaging and quality that they’re still a relatively new business. You can find the brand in cool stores all over the place now, but I still prefer to order a few boxes at a time directly from them—this set is my favorite.

One of three locations where I stash my teas...

Mint: This is the brand that’s in all the high-end hotels and restaurants. Short of freshly brewed Moroccan mint tea, this is THE most fragrant mint tea you’ll ever find, and the individually wrapped sachets make them very travel/ on-the-go-friendly. I first picked this up on a whim at a local bakery on a week when I was deathbed-level sick (needed a sugary treat to keep me going, I guess). Even in my sick haze I was floored by how strong and fragrant this was. Instead of bitter like some versions of mint, this runs very fresh. It can be harder to find in person, but very worth stocking up on when you do (and if you see it on a menu at a restaurant, order! It’s such a nice way to close out a meal).

Rest + Digest: The new tea on the block! This is different from most of the other teas here in that it’s decidedly savory in flavor (the ingredients are commonly used in Indian cooking, so I was familiar with them, but it might take a little getting used to if you’re not). It was formulated by a popular LA acupuncturist with the goal of aiding digestion and bloating, and is my go-to after an indulgent meal out. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that ingredients-wise, it’s only made of two things—organic cumin and organic coriander. A box of this is pretty expensive ($45 for 30 tea bags), but you can buy both of those ingredients in bulk and easily replicate the same thing—either in a pot for several servings, or in a single-serve strainer if you just want a quick cup for yourself. The more you know!!!

Bengal Spice: My OG sweet tea! My acupuncturist first recommended this to me years ago. Not for anything hormonal—just because she knew I loved a sweet treat at night, and this offers some of the same flavors minus the actual dessert. It includes roasted chicory and carob along with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, and the natural sweetness always surprises me considering there’s no actual sugar in it. I have it on its own with hot water, but you can add milk/ honey if you prefer a caffeine-free chai-style drink.

Chic Tea Gifts!: It wouldn’t be a tea letter without Forgrave*, which makes the most beautiful personalized tea caddies! The caddies on their own make a special gift for a tea lover, but I also like this set featuring their signature glass cigar infuser along with five of their classic teas, and for the host with the most, this set of the cigars is perfect for serving/sharing with friends and family. IMO, they make the most elevated tea-themed gifts out there.

*Codes mentioned in today’s letter: Forgrave - PRIYANKA15, Madame Grey - PRIYANKA20, Violet Grey - PRIYANKA15, UBeauty - PRIYANKA20 (first time), Crown Affair - PRIYANKA15. As always, more right here!

Those are my go-to’s, but I would love if you could share any teas you feel passionately about with me (if you are my friend IRL, preferably in the comments section instead of in a text!!!). If you have favorites you’re always buying, blends/ brands you recommend, another matcha I should try (is Rocky’s worth the hype??! Which are the best ones?!), etc., drop them below! Spill the tea on your teas, I beg of you!!!