4/8/05

> 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


Kim,

Thanks for the information. I've been searching the earth for really good
containers for small samples.

Michael