I'm not sure, but I'd imagine others around here must be in a similar
situation as me. A lot of tea and not enough storage. My fiance and I
have been trying to decide on the best way to store all of my teas. I
have right now approx. 20 different loose teas. I have a couple glass
canisters with seals and locks (but they are clear glass and have to
stay in the cupboard) and the rest are in resealable paper waxed bags.
We had found a nice spice rack with about 12 glass vials but again they
are clear and a bit small to hold much tea.

Ideally, I'd have them in ceramic sealed locking canisters but I would
need a whole other countertop for them. So does anyone have any ideas
for a fairly streamlined and inexpensive system to house my tea
happily? How do you store yours?

- Dominic
Drinking: Sea Dyke Brang Fujian Oolong

Go to leevalley.com and put the search term "storage tin" into their
search engine. They have stainless canisters and watchmakers cases-
check out the larger of those.
Here is a link
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...48&cat=1,43326

wrote:
> Go to leevalley.com and put the search term "storage tin" into their
> search engine. They have stainless canisters and watchmakers cases-
> check out the larger of those.
> Here is a link
> http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...48&cat=1,43326

VERY COOL! Never thought to use something like those, I have seen them
before though. I wonder how air tight they are? I would assume the all
aluminum ones would be better (however I'm always sketchy about storing
my tea in metal, I'll have to start a new thread on that subject).

I was hoping for some creative answers like that.

Dominic,
see my 1.5 cents in the "tea & metal" thread, dunno if that's
streamlined enough 4 you but it's darn cheap and does the trick for me.

Karsten / Darjeeling

> So does anyone have any ideasfor a fairly streamlined
> and inexpensive system to house my tea happily?

Why not use the Twist 'n Loc containers by Ziploc available at your
local supermarket? They're cheap enough, and easy to find anywhere.

These are the ones I'm talking about:

http://www.ziploc.com/twistnloc.asp

You could store lots of teas in those, and the lids are tight-fitting.
It's not made with a cheap, flimsy plastic either. These containers
could last for years.

I use "silver" (aluminium foil I guess) zip-lock bags.
It protects my teas from light, smells, oxygen, it's cheap and don't
break open when it falls on the ground and I can write on it; what else
could I ask for....only donwside is it doesn't really looks good.

What I don't like about canisters is the less tea you have into it the
more oxygen there is, tea would go stale faster then, wouldn't it ?

"Dominic T." > wrote in
oups.com:

> I'm not sure, but I'd imagine others around here must be in a similar
> situation as me. A lot of tea and not enough storage. My fiance and I
> have been trying to decide on the best way to store all of my teas. I
> have right now approx. 20 different loose teas. I have a couple glass
> canisters with seals and locks (but they are clear glass and have to
> stay in the cupboard) and the rest are in resealable paper waxed bags.
> We had found a nice spice rack with about 12 glass vials but again they
> are clear and a bit small to hold much tea.
>
> Ideally, I'd have them in ceramic sealed locking canisters but I would
> need a whole other countertop for them. So does anyone have any ideas
> for a fairly streamlined and inexpensive system to house my tea
> happily? How do you store yours?
>
> - Dominic
> Drinking: Sea Dyke Brang Fujian Oolong

I use a Tilia Foodsaver to vacuum-seal my teas in canning jars. I think
the vacuum-sealing keeps the tea fresher for a much longer time. Yes, the
jars are glass, so I do have to keep them in the pantry.

I bought my Tilia new for $80, but I see them on eBay from $20 on up. For
preserving in jars, the model needs to have an accessory port on it, and
you may need to buy the jar sealer (about $10) if it's not included. A box
of 12 canning jars costs about $6, and a box of lids is $1.

This system allows me to remove only as much tea as I will use in a week
and then reseal the rest, keeping it fresh for a very long time. And I use
the Tilia for far more than just tea - it's fantastic for vacuum-sealing
food for freezer storage, too.

Dee

Dominic 2/17/06


> I'm not sure, but I'd imagine others around here must be in a similar
> situation as me. A lot of tea and not enough storage. My fiance and I
> have been trying to decide on the best way to store all of my teas. I
> have right now approx. 20 different loose teas. I have a couple glass
> canisters with seals and locks (but they are clear glass and have to
> stay in the cupboard) and the rest are in resealable paper waxed bags.
> We had found a nice spice rack with about 12 glass vials but again they
> are clear and a bit small to hold much tea.

Dominic, I'm in the same boat, having split my collections between my home
place and my work place. I use Beehouse square opaque ceramic canisters for
the main storage of loose style teas. There is criticism of the rubbery
rings that create the seal of the Beehouse canisters, but these have done no
damage I can detect.

I suggest not storing any tea in a transparent plastic or glass container.
Light is the enemy of tea.
>
> Ideally, I'd have them in ceramic sealed locking canisters but I would
> need a whole other countertop for them. So does anyone have any ideas
> for a fairly streamlined and inexpensive system to house my tea
> happily? How do you store yours?

I also use small metal canisters that stack. The stacking quality is the
key. But, I'm still struggling with the same challenge, so these are only
tentative ideas for you.

Michael

The best way is to get a Pottery like. Chinese use a ceramic pottery to keep Salty Eggs. Go to China Town and ask around if they have any. Get one back and wash thoroughly withought detergent. Filled it up with Water or Tea. let it be there for about a month or so... or untill there is not more smell. then dry it under the sun for at least a week. That would be ther best.

YL Soh

There used to be a wonderful plastics store, since closed, on Canal St.
in New York, that had glass jars from one ounce to one gallon.

Now there are always Mason jars. You can get them in capacities from
one half pint to a gallon or so. The search engines should let you find
where you can buy an inexpensive dozen or so.

The next time Gregor goes to Home Depot I'm also having him look for
screw top jars of the sort that he uses to store things like nuts and
bolts.

Maria

2/22/06


> There used to be a wonderful plastics store, since closed, on Canal St.
> in New York, that had glass jars from one ounce to one gallon.
>
> Now there are always Mason jars. You can get them in capacities from
> one half pint to a gallon or so. The search engines should let you find
> where you can buy an inexpensive dozen or so.
>
> The next time Gregor goes to Home Depot I'm also having him look for
> screw top jars of the sort that he uses to store things like nuts and
> bolts.
>
> Maria
>


Maria, light is the enemy of tea. We want to be sure that our tea container
is opaque, and air tight as possible. BTW, I think there are several plastic
shops still on Canal Street. Perhaps one of them carries the stuff you like.
It's more pleasant shopping on Canal Street than at Home Depot, seems to me.

Michael

Dear all,
Probably you all are keeping different type of tea here. The way that i am suggesting is for Puerr Tea. As they need to breath and age. Also I might have over look on the climate in your area. if it is four season, you will need a more of air tight container. But please remember to open up the container once in a month may be... to let some air in. so that the changes can still progress.
if it is fully sealed then, the taste will not change. Anyway, the way of keeping tea is a big knowledge. Taiwan and China even come out in Magazines on how to keep Tea.
Plastic is a big NO...!! Tea absorb any smell. and by the time you want to drink the Tea, unpleasant smell or taste will be released.

Happy Drinking

Michael Plant wrote:
> 2/22/06
>
>
>
>>There used to be a wonderful plastics store, since closed, on Canal St.
>>in New York, that had glass jars from one ounce to one gallon.
>>
>>Now there are always Mason jars. You can get them in capacities from
>>one half pint to a gallon or so. The search engines should let you find
>>where you can buy an inexpensive dozen or so.
>>
>>The next time Gregor goes to Home Depot I'm also having him look for
>>screw top jars of the sort that he uses to store things like nuts and
>>bolts.
>>
>>Maria
>>
>
>
>
> Maria, light is the enemy of tea. We want to be sure that our tea container
> is opaque, and air tight as possible. BTW, I think there are several plastic
> shops still on Canal Street. Perhaps one of them carries the stuff you like.
> It's more pleasant shopping on Canal Street than at Home Depot, seems to me.
>
> Michael
>
But if you want to use glass jars (which are available to anyone who has
finished a container of pickles or jam or whatever), you can spray-paint
the outsides and make them opaque.

dmh

Every decent-sized grocery store has mason jars in varying sizes with
lids in cases of 9-12 for less than $10. As for light, that's what
cupboard doors are for...

--Blair

[Blair]
> Every decent-sized grocery store has mason jars in varying sizes with
> lids in cases of 9-12 for less than $10. As for light, that's what
> cupboard doors are for...

I'm afraid the oft' opened cupboard doors are just not good enough to
protect delicate green teas from light. I add this for others who might be
reading, not for you Blair. I know you know this already.
Michael

David M. 2/22/06


> Michael Plant wrote:
>> 2/22/06
>>
>>
>>
>>> There used to be a wonderful plastics store, since closed, on Canal St.
>>> in New York, that had glass jars from one ounce to one gallon.
>>>
>>> Now there are always Mason jars. You can get them in capacities from
>>> one half pint to a gallon or so. The search engines should let you find
>>> where you can buy an inexpensive dozen or so.
>>>
>>> The next time Gregor goes to Home Depot I'm also having him look for
>>> screw top jars of the sort that he uses to store things like nuts and
>>> bolts.
>>>
>>> Maria
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Maria, light is the enemy of tea. We want to be sure that our tea container
>> is opaque, and air tight as possible. BTW, I think there are several plastic
>> shops still on Canal Street. Perhaps one of them carries the stuff you like.
>> It's more pleasant shopping on Canal Street than at Home Depot, seems to me.
>>
>> Michael
>>
> But if you want to use glass jars (which are available to anyone who has
> finished a container of pickles or jam or whatever), you can spray-paint
> the outsides and make them opaque.

Yes, you can, by golly. And, if you believe in reincarnation, so much the
better. Seriously, a painted jar has to work just as well, just watch those
paint fumes.

Michael

David M. Harris wrote:
"But if you want to use glass jars (which are available to anyone who
has
finished a container of pickles or jam or whatever), "

Oh please, if tea is that sensitive to flavors and smells, don't use a
pickle jar!!! LOL a pickle lid can retain the smell of pickles for 10
or 15 years, I swear!!! Pickle tea anyone?

Kitty in SW PA

Michael Plant wrote:
> 2/22/06
>
>
> > There used to be a wonderful plastics store, since closed, on Canal St.
> > in New York, that had glass jars from one ounce to one gallon.
> >
> > Now there are always Mason jars. You can get them in capacities from
> > one half pint to a gallon or so. The search engines should let you find
> > where you can buy an inexpensive dozen or so.
> >
> > The next time Gregor goes to Home Depot I'm also having him look for
> > screw top jars of the sort that he uses to store things like nuts and
> > bolts.
> >
> > Maria
> >
>
>
> Maria, light is the enemy of tea. We want to be sure that our tea container
> is opaque, and air tight as possible. BTW, I think there are several plastic
> shops still on Canal Street. Perhaps one of them carries the stuff you like.
> It's more pleasant shopping on Canal Street than at Home Depot, seems to me.
>
> Michael

Yes, but I buy most of my tea from Porto Rico in New York so I get it
in lighttight bags. Then I just drop then in the airtight container.

I agree that Canal St. is nicer than Home Depot. Gregor doesn't shop on
Canal St. He gets claustrophobic. I don't shop at Home Depot. I get
lost. But we do put things on each other's shopping list.

Maria