About Isobel Moore

It all started with a cup of Twinings Earl Grey.

I’d been drinking builder’s tea since my teens (strong, milky, the kind that fuels a proper British morning) but Earl Grey was different. Bergamot hit me like a revelation – suddenly tea wasn’t just a hot caffeine delivery system, it was actually interesting. It was a little bit fancy-pants, sure, but it was also delicious and strange and I wanted more of it. So naturally, when I started writing at Immortal Wordsmith, that very same Earl Grey became my first tea review. In fact, it became my first blog article ever.

Full circle moment, if you will.

Six years later, I’ve written on topics from growing flowers to binge-watching TV shows to obscure Russian literature – wherever the flow has taken me. All the while, I’ve been reviewing 395 teas from 85 different tea companies. That’s 395 cups of carefully brewed, thoroughly tasted, honestly assessed tea. Some were incredible. Some were… less so. And I’ve written about every single one of them because I genuinely believe that finding a great tea shouldn’t be a gamble.

Today, I review teas with the Navigation Codex in mind. I choose to do this because it helps me prioritise teas that align with my well-being and boosts visibility of teas that have natural flow.

I also write on all manner of other topics, from TV shows to cooking to gardening and crafts – all through the lens of the Navigation Codex. If you’ve been finding life a bit abrasive, I hope my articles can help you flow more naturally!

My Journey with The Navigation Codex

When we started Immortal Wordsmith, the Navigation Codex wasn’t even on my radar. Despite this, I’ve never had any trouble finding my natural flow in life – I can often feel, intuitively, what my body and mind needs to thrive.

Tea has always been a big part of that, as has spending time in nature and crafting. The act of creating things with my hands has always appealed greatly to me too. That’s what I bring to the table at Immortal Wordsmith.

The core of the Navigation Codex is about making decisions and actions based on flow rather than resistance. As we move forward at Immortal Wordsmith, I’m excited to let flow dictate more of my work here. That means recommending tea, other products, and activities that may align with your flow and reduce resistance.

Finding tea that flows is a process. Here’s the key to it.

What I’ve Learned After 395 Reviews

✨ Never turn your nose up at any cup of tea. ✨

Even if the brand has a dodgy reputation, even if the quality doesn’t look promising, even if it’s got an ingredient you’ve always hated, it might just surprise you. Blending tea is an art, and sometimes the most unexpected combinations turn into your new favourite. I’ve seen it happen.

That said, I do have opinions. Strong ones.

I will always prefer loose leaf teas over teabags (the quality difference is undeniable), natural ingredients over artificial flavourings (the closer to nature, the better the flow according to the Navigation Codex), and transparent sourcing over vague marketing rubbish. I want to know where my tea comes from, ideally straight from the farmer or estate, so I can trace its journey from leaf to cup. Companies like What-Cha, H. R. Higgins, and Hebden Tea do this brilliantly, which is why you’ll see me raving about them.

The teas that really get me excited are the ones with a story.

A unique varietal from a specific farm with a name I can’t quite pronounce. A blend with actual purpose, not just “generic berry tea number 47.” Small tea companies doing something genuinely interesting with their sourcing or their flavour combinations. Those are the teas I live for.

My Tea Cupboard is a Bit Like Goldilocks

I’m always after the perfect tea for every moment. A high-quality yet affordable daily drinker for those mornings when I need caffeine but my bank account is crying. A delicate afternoon option (jasmine green tea, light oolongs, maybe a first-flush if I’m treating myself). A complex herbal blend for winding down without the buzz.

Then there are the seasonal obsessions. Chai in the winter, obviously. Matcha when summer hits. Good iced tea recipes to survive the heat.

Right now, I’m back on my genmaicha kick. It’s a long-time favourite but I rarely stumble across it when I’m ordering samples for reviews, so every cup feels like a little luxury.

Often you’ll find that the tea that flows best for you comes down, partially, to personal preference. That’s okay!

A Few Numbers (If You’re Into That Sort of Thing)

• 395 tea reviews published on Immortal Wordsmith and counting.
• 468 tea-related articles in total.
• 85 separate tea companies reviewed, from household names to tiny artisan tea makers you’ve probably never heard of (but absolutely should).
• And yes, I’ve been at this since February 2019, and honestly, I’m just getting started.

Some of those teas I’ve bought myself, following small companies on Instagram and ordering sample sizes to try. Others have been sent to me by brands who trust me to give an honest review. Either way, you’re getting my real thoughts. If a tea I’ve been gifted turns out disappointing, I’ll still write about it (politely, but still). If something I’ve paid for with my own money is brilliant, I’ll tell you that too.

I always brew a tea exactly as the packet says first, then I’ll play around with water temperature, steep time, and the amount of leaf to see if I can coax out something better. Sometimes the brand’s instructions are spot on. Sometimes they’re… not. And I’ll let you know which is which, because there’s nothing worse than buying a lovely tea and ruining it with a bad brew.

So, Why Am I Telling You All This?

Because if you’ve landed here, you’re probably wondering whether you can trust my reviews. Whether I know what I’m talking about. Whether my taste in tea matches yours. And what the hell even is flow and resistance (to answer that, start here).

And look, I can’t promise we’ll agree on everything. You might love a tea I found disappointing. You might hate something I adored. But what I can promise is that I’ll always tell you exactly what I tasted, how I brewed it, and whether I think it’s worth your money.

I’m just a quiet, quirky human bean who’s been drinking tea like it’s water since I was a teenager, and who’s spent the last six years writing down every thought I’ve had about nearly 400 different cups.

So go ahead, have a browse through my reviews, product recommendations and articles. Make yourself a cuppa. And let’s find flow together.