Spent the last few months deep in tea sourcing for Teabox, and here's the thing nobody selling tea wants to say out loud: most of what's labeled 'wellness tea' on shelves is just chamomile or peppermint with a nicer box.

A few things I've learned that actually matter if you're building a tea ritual:

1. Leaf grade beats flashy claims. Whole-leaf tea holds oils and antioxidants way better than the dust in most bags. If you can see actual leaf shape, that's a good sign.

1. Freshness has a shelf life. Loose-leaf tea starts losing potency after ~6-12 months. If a bag doesn't have a roast/pack date, assume it's been sitting a while.

1. 'Functional' ingredients need real dosing. Ashwagandha, L-theanine, adaptogen blends — they only do something at specific amounts. A pinch in a tea bag for flavor isn't a dose.

1. Consistency beats novelty. The wellness benefit of tea comes from a daily habit, not a one-off superfood blend. Simple, good tea you'll actually drink every day beats an exotic blend that sits in your cupboard.

Building Teabox around exactly this — sourced whole-leaf teas, dated for freshness, real functional blends dosed properly, made for people who want an actual daily ritual and not just a pretty tin. Happy to answer questions if you're curious about sourcing or want tea recommendations for a specific goal (energy, sleep, focus, etc.).