Dec 4th, '14, 16:03
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Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 4th, '14, 16:03

I always used metal canister but now I bought 4 clay jars.
Very good clay and obvious not so hermetic.
Now I have fear to put expansive tea (red and oolong) in this jars.

What do you think?

Someone say: clay jar are cool to grow old tea but other say hermetic and vaccum metal canister are better

Dec 5th, '14, 16:40
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 5th, '14, 16:40


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Dec 8th, '14, 02:43
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by Tead Off » Dec 8th, '14, 02:43

alix wrote:I always used metal canister but now I bought 4 clay jars.
Very good clay and obvious not so hermetic.
Now I have fear to put expansive tea (red and oolong) in this jars.

What do you think?

Someone say: clay jar are cool to grow old tea but other say hermetic and vaccum metal canister are better
This is a complex question. One size does not fit all. Also, don't equate aging puerh with aging oolong/reds. Limiting airflow is important in both types. With puerh teas you have bacteria continuing the fermentation process. This is the main process. With the others, you have oxidation as the main process. Too much oxidation will take your flavor/aroma away. Sealing ceramic is probably the way to go for long term aging. But, if you just want to store teas for weeks/months, anything that can keep your teas dry and free from light, air, odors, etc., can be used. Most people will go with their own aesthetic choices, or what their budget allows. Metal cannisters are a lot cheaper than ceramic, but don't have the visual appeal for many.

Dec 10th, '14, 17:40
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 10th, '14, 17:40

I have 6 metal canisters and 4 clay jars:

-white gu shu yinzhen
-oriental beauty
-yuchi wild tea (red)
-wild spring bud 2014

Where I can put this tea?

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Dec 10th, '14, 22:06
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by Tead Off » Dec 10th, '14, 22:06

alix wrote:I have 6 metal canisters and 4 clay jars:

-white gu shu yinzhen
-oriental beauty
-yuchi wild tea (red)
-wild spring bud 2014

Where I can put this tea?
Use your common sense and put them where you want. If you are going to drink the teas quickly, within several months, it's not going to matter much which you put them into as long as there are covers for all the containers.

Dec 11th, '14, 13:07
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 11th, '14, 13:07

I try it but i fear to make mistake

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Dec 11th, '14, 13:49
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by William » Dec 11th, '14, 13:49

alix wrote:I try it but i fear to make mistake
Mistakes are the only way to gain experience, my friend! :)

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Dec 12th, '14, 07:54
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by Poseidon » Dec 12th, '14, 07:54

alix wrote:I try it but i fear to make mistake
I agree with the others but I also understand your want to get it right.

I dont have an answer either but common sense tells me that you would want your nicer teas in the ceramic and the less nicer in the metal/tin containers. Good luck!

Dec 12th, '14, 15:31
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 12th, '14, 15:31

yes it's true!
But maybe the stopper/corck of clay jars isn't hermetic. I fear to ruin the tea!

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Dec 12th, '14, 17:08
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by Alex » Dec 12th, '14, 17:08

Rather then "ruin" it will most likely be that one choice may be suboptimal and you'll have a preference for one over the other with some experience of your own findings. Basically its all good. There's no mistakes here.

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Dec 12th, '14, 21:08
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by kyarazen » Dec 12th, '14, 21:08

alix wrote:yes it's true!
But maybe the stopper/corck of clay jars isn't hermetic. I fear to ruin the tea!
experiment and learn :)

life is a journey of discovery

Dec 13th, '14, 02:34
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 13th, '14, 02:34

Ok, it's true!
Nobody try jars clays?

Dec 18th, '14, 03:12
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 18th, '14, 03:12

Someone using clay jars?

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Dec 21st, '14, 22:03
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by TomVerlain » Dec 21st, '14, 22:03

I have clay jars - I use them for tea I am actively drinking, but that could mean 1-2 years of drinking for some teas. I break up my puerh cake or brick and put in the jar. I also use ginger jars with two lids, and metal canisters with two lids. I like to put loose tea in the two lid jars/canisters.

I have no idea what is better, as I would need a control set to compare. And whether jars are glazed inside / outside, tight fitting lids or not, how full they are, how often you open them, etc, means the variables are pretty large.

I will say broken up cakes age faster then the wrapped cakes, but whether the aging is better aging, I find that harder to quantify.

So there is no conclusion except personal taste and convenience.

Dec 22nd, '14, 11:31
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Re: Metal canisters or clay jars

by alix » Dec 22nd, '14, 11:31

Thank you!

But for you: better clay jar glazed or unglazed?

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