On 4/8/2005 11:42 AM, Kim wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I recently found myself searching for inexpensive, airtight, welded seam
> containers to store tea samples. I had several old tins from Republic
> of Tea (back from 1995 and 1996), but was dismayed to find that they are
> folded seam and thus not airtight! Put water a RoT tin and it leaks
> like a sieve! That means stale tea...
>
> The only cost effective canisters I found that are truly airtight are
> the Green Canisters made by Stash.
>
> www.stashtea.com
>
> I have several of these canisters and they are lovely - airtight,
> double lidded, welded seamed. The only drawback, is that even the small
> canister is too large for keeping tea samples fresh.
>
> After more searching, I found an inexpensive solution for small volumes
> of tea. Paint cans - perfect airtight storage!
>
> I ordered 1/4 pint ($9.34 for 12) and 1/2 pint ($10.56 for 12) paint
> cans from Enco after talking to their tech support to verify that the
> cans were safe for food storage.
>
> www.use-enco.com
>
> Not only are these cans extremely effective for keeping tea fresh, you
> can make your own fancy labels.
>
> The 1/4 pint can holds 1 - 2 oz. of small leaf, pearl and gunpowder
> style tea. The 1/2 pint can is perfect for 1/2 oz - 1 oz. of large leaf
> and oolong tea. I imagine the 1 pint cans would hold 3.5 - 4 oz. of
> average sized leaf.
>
> Anyway, I hope some of you find this useful. I know I'm not the only
> one here with 20 or more tea samples and a need for cheap, effective
> storage.
>
>
> Kim

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the link!

Quick question - I have 1/2 pint paint cans of enamels, etc., but have
never seen a 1/4 pint can. Are they simply smaller all the way around,
or flatter, meaning they look like, well... like tuna fish cans? I'm
guessing you use an opener (okay, this is two questions - sorry!) to pry
off the lids... do they seem like they will easily bend/warp?

Thanks!!