Official what Black (Red) Tea Are You Drinking Right Now?

[kuánglóng]

Nice. My only issue with MF is they still use those non-zip pouches, which are nice but not airtight. How do you store tea from them? Might just put the pouches in zip bags or an airtight sterilite box or something.

I store all my loose-leaf teas in multi-layer ziploc bags (not standard PE ziplocs), and keep those bags organized in some airtight plastic boxes which helps to reduce the effects of atmospheric influences like temperature variations. I also keep most of the larger bags (>50g) in the cellar and only smaller bags and samples upstairs.

[yshuto]

Nice. My only issue with MF is they still use those non-zip pouches, which are nice but not airtight. How do you store tea from them? Might just put the pouches in zip bags or an airtight sterilite box or something.

I store all my loose-leaf teas in multi-layer ziploc bags (not standard PE ziplocs), and keep those bags organized in some airtight plastic boxes which helps to reduce the effects of atmospheric influences like temperature variations. I also keep most of the larger bags (>50g) in the cellar and only smaller bags and samples upstairs.

Store your tea in double lidded tea tins. Huge selection of tins/cannisters online of various colors, shapes, sizes.

[kuánglóng]

Nice. My only issue with MF is they still use those non-zip pouches, which are nice but not airtight. How do you store tea from them? Might just put the pouches in zip bags or an airtight sterilite box or something.

I store all my loose-leaf teas in multi-layer ziploc bags (not standard PE ziplocs), and keep those bags organized in some airtight plastic boxes which helps to reduce the effects of atmospheric influences like temperature variations. I also keep most of the larger bags (>50g) in the cellar and only smaller bags and samples upstairs.

Store your tea in double lidded tea tins. Huge selection of tins/cannisters online of various colors, shapes, sizes.

Done that many years ago, didn't work too well for black, Himalayan and green teas - there's just too much air/oxygen in those tins, especially if there are only a couple grams of tea left.

[joelbct]

Sampled the Tan Yang Gong Fu from TeaVivre couple days ago, it's excellent. Best Fujian black/red tea I've had in a while. Just very well-composed, from what I recall, and along with a couple of their Keemuns, would definitely go on the reorder list. Interestingly, I wasn't much impressed with any of their Long Jings, which is why I placed an order with them in the first place

Store your tea in double lidded tea tins. Huge selection of tins/cannisters online of various colors, shapes, sizes.

Done that many years ago, didn't work too well for black, Himalayan and green teas - there's just too much air/oxygen in those tins, especially if there are only a couple grams of tea left.

What I don't like about canisters/tins is that they cannot diminish in volume as the tea within is consumed, as a 100g-size pouch does nicely.

And for the bigger pouches, I can just ladle out what I need into the little 8 fl oz mason jars, which store abt 50g of typical-density tea.

My stock is diversified enough and known vendor list up-to-date enough, though, that I highly doubt I'll be buying more than 200g of any one specific tea for a long time.

I've got 4x 500g pouches in my basement that probably should have been 200g each.

[yshuto]

Sampled the Tan Yang Gong Fu from TeaVivre couple days ago, it's excellent. Best Fujian black/red tea I've had in a while. Just very well-composed, from what I recall, and along with a couple of their Keemuns, would definitely go on the reorder list. Interestingly, I wasn't much impressed with any of their Long Jings, which is why I placed an order with them in the first place

Store your tea in double lidded tea tins. Huge selection of tins/cannisters online of various colors, shapes, sizes.

Done that many years ago, didn't work too well for black, Himalayan and green teas - there's just too much air/oxygen in those tins, especially if there are only a couple grams of tea left.

What I don't like about canisters/tins is that they cannot diminish in volume as the tea within is consumed, as a 100g-size pouch does nicely.

And for the bigger pouches, I can just ladle out what I need into the little 8 fl oz mason jars, which store abt 50g of typical-density tea.

My stock is diversified enough and known vendor list up-to-date enough, though, that I highly doubt I'll be buying more than 200g of any one specific tea for a long time.

I've got 4x 500g pouches in my basement that probably should have been 200g each.

Then what about mylar foil pouches?
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale- ... a-bag.html

[kuánglóng]

Sampled the Tan Yang Gong Fu from TeaVivre couple days ago, it's excellent. Best Fujian black/red tea I've had in a while. Just very well-composed, from what I recall, and along with a couple of their Keemuns, would definitely go on the reorder list. Interestingly, I wasn't much impressed with any of their Long Jings, which is why I placed an order with them in the first place

Store your tea in double lidded tea tins. Huge selection of tins/cannisters online of various colors, shapes, sizes.

Done that many years ago, didn't work too well for black, Himalayan and green teas - there's just too much air/oxygen in those tins, especially if there are only a couple grams of tea left.

What I don't like about canisters/tins is that they cannot diminish in volume as the tea within is consumed, as a 100g-size pouch does nicely.

And for the bigger pouches, I can just ladle out what I need into the little 8 fl oz mason jars, which store abt 50g of typical-density tea.

My stock is diversified enough and known vendor list up-to-date enough, though, that I highly doubt I'll be buying more than 200g of any one specific tea for a long time.

I've got 4x 500g pouches in my basement that probably should have been 200g each.

Then what about mylar foil pouches?
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale- ... a-bag.html

For some reason the mylar pouches I've used (bought mine in India) seem to do a better job with sensitive teas like green teas and Himalayan teas than standard PE bags but I prefer multi-layer bags that incorporate a mid-layer of aluminum foil that's impermeable for oxygen, moisture and light.

[joelbct]

Then what about mylar foil pouches?
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale- ... a-bag.html

Thanks, I should look into ordering some.

The ones Hojo uses are probably perfect, whatever that material is.

If the original tea comes in quality, resealable pouches, it's a nonissue

But I should have some on hand for those 100g sacks from Mariage , or other vendors that use pouches that are resealable but low quality.

[victoria3]

Then what about mylar foil pouches?
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale- ... a-bag.html

Thanks, I should look into ordering some.

The ones Hojo uses are probably perfect, whatever that material is.

If the original tea comes in quality, resealable pouches, it's a nonissue

But I should have some on hand for those 100g sacks from Mariage , or other vendors that use pouches that are resealable but low quality.

I use a variety of 4oz canisters from japan, leave tea in vendor packs with bag clips, or keep these multi-layerd ziplock pouches with aluminum in-between- odor moisture proof- like what kuanglong meantioned; Kraft Stand-Up Pouches - Foil Lined with Zipper Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRAX5QG/re ... szbC484W3Y

[joelbct]

Kraft Stand-Up Pouches - Foil Lined with Zipper Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRAX5QG/re ... szbC484W3Y

This, for one of the reviews from above, is what I'd be afraid of ordering a random listing off ali or amazon, though: "The not good: 7 of the 25 bags had stronger closures than the glue holding the plastic strips. Resulting in the plastic strip pulling off one or both sides of the bag."

Anyone have a link to a specific pouch product they've tried with success, without above problem?

[victoria3]

Kraft Stand-Up Pouches - Foil Lined with Zipper Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRAX5QG/re ... szbC484W3Y

This, for one of the reviews from above, is what I'd be afraid of ordering a random listing off ali or amazon, though: "The not good: 7 of the 25 bags had stronger closures than the glue holding the plastic strips. Resulting in the plastic strip pulling off one or both sides of the bag."

Anyone have a link to a specific pouch product they've tried with success, without above problem?

Ya those Amazon negative reviewers there's lots of grouchy types I'd just return an item if there's an issue. These bags aren't made for perpetual use though and bag clips solve issue if ziplock fails. Here is a better option as you can get multiple sizes Heavy Duty Kraft Paper Self Standing Resealable Zipper Pouch Bags (1 oz- 16 oz) - FDA and USDA compliant (50, 1 Oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXJFJW6/re ... tzb4G82VT2

I also recently got a bunch of these stainless canisters from Japan via Canadian Amazon - good price. Chacha various stainless steel tea caddy H-1622 (japan import) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00422KSYK/ref ... tzbQ0ECXCQ

[ethan]

Kraft Stand-Up Pouches - Foil Lined with Zipper Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRAX5QG/re ... szbC484W3Y

Anyone have a link to a specific pouch product they've tried with success, without above problem?

To get a good price direct from a manufacturer, I bought 500 of those pouches about 2 years or so ago and put some up on teaswap. Those were called a 4-ounce size but for many of my teas hold a little less. At the time I did not know that shipping would cost so much because they are heavy and came from California to Massachusetts. On teaswap I had only had about 250 taken, if I remember correctly. I'm down to about my last 20. I could use 100 if people are interested in a group buy. (Hopefully one participant is from California and could take delivery there and distribute.) The thickest Kraft/foil lined pouches hold up quite well. If constantly opening and closing, the ziplock will eventually wear out. Being able to write on the pouches easily is convenient.

I am close to becoming a vendor or totally abandoning the idea. Selling pouches is not the dream (excellent tea is the dream); however, if do become a vendor I could add the pouches if enough interest was expressed. I'd prefer a group buy run by a Californian though.

[joelbct]

I'd prefer a group buy run by a Californian though.

Haha Ethan, that's very specific. I was, at least, born in California!

Browsing ali, 1000+ hits for "mylar zip bag," so many of them look cheap/flimsy. Of all the bazillion pouches I've encountered, Hojo's do seem to stand out as about the sturdiest.

They have a Japanese recycle symbol on them, and PE, M, PA, which I take to mean primarily polyethelene, secondary material mylar(?), and polyamine. He was a food scientist/engineer, probably selected them very carefully.

I would order only 50-100 ~5"x8" pouches, so I think retail is my best bet. Will report if I find them, if not I'll just go with those kraft bags.

Why are they called kraft bags?

[Bok]

Why are they called kraft bags?

Because of the Kraft paper which covers them?

[ethan]

I bought from Stockbag Depot before. An 8 - ounce pouch by their designation (which is usually regarding ground coffee) is 5.6 mil for thickness and 6 x 3.5 x 9 inches. A box of 1000 sells for $260. Half a box sells for 50% of box price plus $15. If I remember correctly, after FOB charges I was at 38 Cents a pouch.

Available are pouches that are not as thick etc. and free shipping for orders of $350 or more. I have found them very useful and quite durable but not as glamorous to have around as pretty teacups etc.

[jayinhk]

I know the kraft paper pouches are popular, but I got green tea in one in China and the smell of the adhesive was horrendous! It scared me away from them. I now stick to plain PVC pouches and double vacuum seal them, and I have a label printer, so no need to write on the bags.