Tea Storage Options

[spittingoutteeth]

Just wondering what everyone uses to store their teas. I used to just keep all of mine in the bags they came in, but I've recently opted for storing them in these small metal spice canisters:



The canisters are also magnetic on the bottom, even though I don't put that feature to use. As you can see, the top of the canister is translucent plastic, so you can see the tea inside. As a result, I usually keep all of my canisters covered in small wooden boxes so that they are not exposed to light often.

So far, it seems like a convenient, cheap (canisters are only $3 each) and space-saving way to store teas, especially seeing as I rarely buy more than 50g of any type at one time. The clear tops also make for a nice visual presentation when someone comes to my house and wants to choose a tea to drink.

How does everyone else tend to store their teas?

[Chip]

Mod edit: moved this to Teaware and Accessories where it will be more at home and get more play.

There are some other pretty animated topics on storage as well.

[olivierco]

For storing my tea, I chose a nicer looking but somewhat more expensive option:

[spittingoutteeth]

Those are gorgeous containers....where did you find them?

[olivierco]

Mostly on ebay (patience is needed) and some specialized stores as Rikyucha

[Oni]

I wanted to ask those of you who own wooden japanese (sakura bark) tea canisters, does it affect the tea, does it store it properly, does it improve taste, is there something other than aestetics that justifies buying them?

[olivierco]

does it improve taste?

I don't believe in magic and don't see why a Japanese green's taste should be improved unless the tea isn't a high quality one.

does it affect the tea?

No

does it store it properly?

Yes

is there something other than aesthetics that justifies buying them?

Some claim (mostly vendors or people convinced by them) the tea stored in those canisters is better preserved than in other types. I don't let Japanese greens sit long enough in a canister to actually verify it anyway.

My first reason to buy a canister is that it stores well the tea, the second reason is that it looks great.

[edkrueger]

The bark container don't work as well as regular storage tins.

[Tead Off]

I strongly suspect that wood is not exactly airtight, but, some may be better made than others. In any case, those are beautiful, Olivierco.

I do believe one of the benefits of getting tea out of their bags is so they can actually get some air. Not for months and months but a couple of days out of their bags usually bring more aroma from the dry leaf. I've had several teas that tasted much better after removing them from their bags and putting them into tea caddies.

[robmatys]

Just wondering what everyone uses to store their teas. I used to just keep all of mine in the bags they came in, but I've recently opted for storing them in these small metal spice canisters:



The canisters are also magnetic on the bottom, even though I don't put that feature to use. As you can see, the top of the canister is translucent plastic, so you can see the tea inside. As a result, I usually keep all of my canisters covered in small wooden boxes so that they are not exposed to light often.

Where did you find these canisters? I'm looking for something similar and affordable for the meantime.

[Chip]

Rob, I prefer this sample size canister with a full metal lid and have purchased several cases from Upton over the years. Last time I looked when puchased by the case they were around 60 cents each.

[Edeuinu]

I use these - http://www.specialtybottle.com/teatincontainersmi.aspx

[BreatheEasy]

YES! I have been dying to find the name of that site^^

I stumbled upon it many months ago and I could not, for the life of me, remember what it was called nor could I find it again. THANKS!

Hope their products are good though.

[JRS22]

I probably learned this from Chip - 3 Upton sample tins fit nicely into a tall washi canister. This keeps a bag of Japanese greens extra fresh, as only one tin at a time is exposed when I prepare tea.

[Edeuinu]

@BreatheEasy no problem! I have the larger squared off ones, give you a lot of room and easy to scoop out of. Only downer on that site is shipping, I think the minimum is $10 for just one item, but, at $1-$2 for a nice sized tin isn't bad.