How old is too old

[brian]

What decorative tin is that?

Ryu Mei! http://www.ryu-mei.com/catalog/kamakura ... p-120.html

They also have an ebay store with more.

I have purchased a few of the Ryu Mei tins from the eBay store, prices look a couple of dollars cheaper on eBay. One thing, the dimensions of at least some of the tins as described on the eBay listings are not correct. For example, I have the same "red leaf" tin that Chip has, and it says that it is 120x74 mm. I also have a couple of the rabbit tins (http://tinyurl.com/ylqkgbc), the listing says they are 103 x 64 mm and will hold approx 80 g. green tea, but the rabbit tins I received are quite a bit larger than the red leaf tin (haven't measured them to see which one is correct, but the rabbit tins will hold WAY more than 80 g. sencha). That said, the tins are excellent quality. When you rotate the outer lid, there is a slight notch where the graphics line up perfectly, a nice touch. And shipping from Ryu Mei on the two occasions I have ordered has been very quick.

[Chip]

What decorative tin is that?

Ryu Mei! http://www.ryu-mei.com/catalog/kamakura ... p-120.html

They also have an ebay store with more.

I have purchased a few of the Ryu Mei tins from the eBay store, prices look a couple of dollars cheaper on eBay. One thing, the dimensions of at least some of the tins as described on the eBay listings are not correct. For example, I have the same "red leaf" tin that Chip has, and it says that it is 120x74 mm. I also have a couple of the rabbit tins (http://tinyurl.com/ylqkgbc), the listing says they are 103 x 64 mm and will hold approx 80 g. green tea, but the rabbit tins I received are quite a bit larger than the red leaf tin (haven't measured them to see which one is correct, but the rabbit tins will hold WAY more than 80 g. sencha). That said, the tins are excellent quality. When you rotate the outer lid, there is a slight notch where the graphics line up perfectly, a nice touch. And shipping from Ryu Mei on the two occasions I have ordered has been very quick.

Yeah, love the notch! Like training wheels for those who can't line up the lid to the base. I have seen these with several vendors. Must be a particular brand.

[edkrueger]

It all really depends on storage. An Unopened bag will stay fresh for quite some time, especially if its kept out of temperature extremes, or kept close to a constant temperature. Though once you open it think less than 3 months with Japanese greens, and less than 6 months to a year with Chinese Greens.

+1. However, with good storage Gyokuro will last longer; up to a year; longer with really good storage.

[Sam.]

The ginga tins from Yuuki-cha are listed as 66mm wide, while the small sample tins from Upton are listed at 2.5 in, or 63.5 mm. It just might fit, and quite snuggly at that. There's always the possibility that the measurements listed are a little off though. Chip, have you tried fitting the small Upton tin inside of those Yuuki-cha tins?

[Chip]

The ginga tins from Yuuki-cha are listed as 66mm wide, while the small sample tins from Upton are listed at 2.5 in, or 63.5 mm. It just might fit, and quite snuggly at that. There's always the possibility that the measurements listed are a little off though. Chip, have you tried fitting the small Upton tin inside of those Yuuki-cha tins?

Nope, got a bunch of the 66 mm size and the Upton sample tin will not come clost to fitting.

Another option would be to get an alternate size sample tin. They are available, but the Upton sample tin works really quite well, it is an ideal size for my purposes.

[rjiwrth]

Chip, that's ingenious! I have one of those little sample tins from Upton and I'll see if it fits inside of my black Rishi tins. If it does I'll be buying more.

What decorative tin is that? I was planning on buying more tins, but from Yuuki-cha. The decorative tins they have on their website.

Ryu Mei! http://www.ryu-mei.com/catalog/kamakura ... p-120.html

They also have an ebay store with more.

There are a bunch of different sizes out there. This one is perfect for 2 Upton sample tins. Ryu Mei has a good selection of this size. 74 mm wide!!!

I like the Yuuki-cha ones, but they are narrower and the sample tin will not fit into it.

Then there are the huge ones ... really too big to be practical, but sure are purty!

"Rebecca is a copy-cat!". Now, to Upton for sample tins and Ryu Mei for some 74 mm tins. Thanks for this thread, guys. I think I will try storing my greens in my wine fridge instead of the little cube one. But then, where will the vino go

[jpeizer]

Understanding that some chinese teas actually get better with age...

I've heard from a producer that scientific tests on processed tea leaves indicates they retained most of their strength even after two years with significant degradation after 10.

The trick is to store them in room temperature, preferably airtight storage solutions out of direct light. This does not work for flavored tea with other ingredients which degrade faster.

All this being said on the science of storage --- of course there is nothing like really fresh green tea.

[Chip]

Since this topic is about green tea in the green tea forum, your comments are false. And mentioning some scientific study w/o siting is not particularly helpful.

Understanding that some chinese teas actually get better with age...

I've heard from a producer that scientific tests on processed tea leaves indicates they retained most of their strength even after two years with significant degradation after 10.

The trick is to store them in room temperature, preferably airtight storage solutions out of direct light. This does not work for flavored tea with other ingredients which degrade faster.

All this being said on the science of storage --- of course there is nothing like really fresh green tea.

[IPT]

In my tea shops I keep all of my green teas in big freezers. As long as I keep them sealed well and kept cold, I can actually keep them well for quite a long time, easily a year or more. The main thing is that Green Teas do not like air. So the less exposure you give them after opening, the longer they will last.

[beachape]

I like that idea too. I've been keeping my tea in the original bag which i clipped and put in a ziploc. Really not so attractive.

Are these the little tins?
http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/item.a ... egoryID=84

[Chip]

Are these the little tins?

Yep.

They would pair well with these!
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=12676

[Smells_Familiar]

I store many of my teas in these half pint mason jars. I then use the Pump-n-Seal infomercial vacuum sealing thingy lol to suck the air out. If I want to be analer than anal, I'll throw a silica desiccant packet in thar and stick that baby in the fridge.

I go the anal route with sencha and matcha. that didn't sound right...



It ain't pretty but it works.

[IPT]

I go the anal route with sencha and matcha. that didn't sound right...

Haha! That made me laugh! Thanks.

[tenuki]

Isn't the generally accepted formula

( age ÷2 ) +7


?

[AdamMY]

Isn't the generally accepted formula

( age ÷2 ) +7


?

So I can't drink any tea from the 80's!