Alakaban is a new Vancouver-based subscription box that sends you a selection of handpicked teas and spices to create your own DIY blends.
Each box will include a supply of pure Sri Lankan tea, carefully paired spices, handcrafted tea tools, and 5 flavor pouches that give you an idea on how to flavor your tea. All of the teas and spices are organic and sourced from small businesses & farms right in Sri Lanka. Alakaban provides all of the top quality ingredients, so all you’ll need to do is mix them to your liking to create your ideal blends.
Disclosure: I received this box for review purposes. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own. Post may contain affiliate and/or referral links.
There are 3 different box sizes to choose from, starting at $19.99/month CAD.
Let’s see what’s in the February 2017 Alakaban box!
The box!
A peek inside.
An info card listed all of the items in February’s box, along with descriptions and uses for each one.
A separate card showed how to make your own tea blend, how to use their disposable strainer, and how to make traditional Ceylon tea (on the reverse side).
The Tea
February’s featured tea was Orange Pekoe-A from the Kandy estate in Sri Lanka. It’s a whole-leaf black tea that hasn’t been torn or broken down during production. OPA teas are known throughout the world for their rich quality and delicate flavor. Two 150-gram bags were included.
Spices
February’s spice selection consisted of Palmyra (Coconut) Jaggery, Ceylon Cinnamon, and Cocoa Nibs.
Coconut (Palmyra) Jaggery is an unrefined, non-distilled form of cane sugar that’s made using the sap from coconut palms. Sri Lankans sometimes enjoy a nibble of this with their plain tea. I think I’ll stick to putting it in mine. 😉
Ceylon Cinnamon is lighter in color, sweeter, and has a more delicate scent than regular cinnamon. Its sweetness lends itself well to desserts and drinks, as they’ll require less added sugar.
Cocoa Nibs were specially included for Valentine’s Day. They’re made from crushed cacao beans and are packed with powerful nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. — Oh, and chocolatey flavor of course!
Wooden Spoon & Strainer
A small fabric pouch held a biodegradable wooden tea spoon to measure your tea, as well as a disposable strainer with an interchangeable cloth. Cute!
Flavor Bombs
A mini Alakaban box held a handful of pre-made “flavor bombs” filled with a mixture of cocoa nibs, cinnamon, and coconut jaggery. — They called the blend “Cupid’s Concoction” in honor of Valentine’s Day. Those little paper hearts are just too cute! 🙂
Alakaban is a great subscription box for tea lovers to experiment with different spices and make their very own blends. I love that all of the ingredients are organic and sourced from small Sri Lankan farms and businesses. Definitely a tea subscription that stands out from the others!
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