Tea storage?
I get all of my tins from Davids Tea (http://www.davidstea.com/) I find them to be super affordable and I love all the different color options and how I can tell what tea is in what tin just by the bright bold colors. Just something to check out!
No whoops, still a good choice for most Steepsters (actually just seen those coloured tins are recommended at the top of page 2). Those and the specialtybottle TWS6 look great for a collection with a lot of variety (simple, neat, cheap). You’d think it was easy to find this sort of thing, but apparently not, most things have some plastic or don’t seal properly, spoiling the fun.
UK Tins
I’ve found what looks like a nice supply of tins in the UK:
http://www.teaexperience.co.uk/catalog/tins-caddies-c-18.html
I’ve ordered some of the 100g tins. They say that the wholesaler only sells tea products, so while they may not be as posh as some tins, they are designed for tea, and double skinned. Hopefully nice and air tight.
Mmm – very nice and fair value, but they’re not airtight. If you fill them with water they don’t leak, but if you pop a small amount of water in and turn them upside down, they leak. The cylinder part of the body is made from one sheet of tin, which is is joined forming a seam. This doesn’t leak water, but water drips out where it meets the lid.
I’m not sure if they’re good enough for the job (almost airtight), if I should try some diy on one the lids, or return them.
If your more inclined towards glass jars for tea storage: you can check stores such as Big Lots, Dollar stores may have them, as well.) for canning jars (like for jelly, stewed tomatoes, pickles,etc.) Do a websearch for canning supplies at stores in your area. I used to work at a Big Lots and every summer we would get canning jars in, and they didn’t care how many you bought, ethier. (like 24 a case for like $5.00 american dollars.)
Lynxiegrl, light and UV rays degrade tea very quickly.If you’re going to use glass jars, cover or line them with opaque paper, or keep your jars in a dark cabinet.
I’m personally not inclined to use glass jars, prefer to save those for jellies, wet goods, grain and display items. I figured that since some on the discussion are interested in using glass containers that they look into where they can get bulk items.
I would really love to get the Washi tins from Teavana’s but they are out of my price range at the moment.
The washi tins are more fashion than function. It’s a not-too-particularly-air-tight jar covered in paper.
Yeah, I read some reviews to that effect, after my post.) I have bought a couple of tins from Kroger (that has cheap, terrible tea in.Will use the tea for a dye project.)) I am seeing if those work, If they do I am going to decoupage them. So far, the citrus tea I have in there, the smell has become more muted, (though that started before I put it in the tin.) For a long while everytime I would open my drink cabinet, (where my tea, hot cocoa, mio and dry drink mixes are.) I would smell that intense citrusy smell, (though sadly the taste is quite boring by itself. I decided that before the scent bled onto my other teas, I needed to bottle it up. At Teavana’s it was mixed with the Youthberry, but that one was out of my price range.) Oh, and the tea name is Wild Orange Blossom.
Earlier in this thread there are a few comments about specialtybottle.com and their TWS6 tin. Personally, I’m having a hard time finding anything better.
Not sure how decoupage will stick to the shiny tin surface, but I’ve had mucho success making a tight fitting sleeve out of scrapbooking paper, so it will slide on and off whenever it needs to be cleaned or left in the sun to air out.
Here’s a pic: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v359/Telepathboy/Tea%20and%20Things/?action=view¤t=DecoratingTeaTins.jpg
I’m still working on the method, but at the moment what seems to be the most successful is cutting an extra half inch of overlap on the paper and just going hog wild with scrapbooking adhesive so it bonds really securely (after all, it’s going to spend it’s entire life bent in a circle, and therefore applying pressure to the seam.
My grandboss has also had some success painting them with acrylics. We have a couple of her tins around, they’re super cute.
Though I should mention, four of the papers in the above are the ‘textured’ scrapbooking paper… they hold a glue seal a lot less well.
‘Earlier in this thread there are a few comments about specialtybottle.com and their TWS6 tin. Personally, I’m having a hard time finding anything better.’
Are these completely air tight (if you put 1/2 inch of water in and turn upside down will it slowly drip out)? Or is that unimportant, and basically they’re good enough?
Missy tested them, but not using water. If you put a flashlight inside of them, turned on, no light escapes in a completely dark room. Best test I know of for something you don’t want to be wet for a long period (these are tin, not steel, after all).
They’re tin, they rust. You can wash them out if you make sure to dry them real good, but I definitely wouldn’t leave them sitting with water in them for a period of time.
I love the Rishi black double lidded tea tins. They are fairly cheap and seem to be really airtight. When I reuse a tin, I usually use scrapbook paper and fancy it up. Just for fun! And right now I am saving the little wrappers from my puerh mini tuocha, as I want to Mod Podge them all over the outside of a tin and use it for storing more puerh. LOL!
Where did you get them, ashmanra? I am hoping at a non online site….I am not inclined to get stuff online.
Will probably use scrapbook paper at 1st, then tissue paper or mulberry paper. I got a small bottle of Mod Podge. Might have to get more. I’m glad these tins are circular and not square shaped.
Anyone know of any good airtight tins good for both tea and coffee? Don’t want to spend more than $3/tin.
Harney & Sons sells their plain black tins in a variety of sizes, starting at $1. This is the best deal that I’ve found so far for a larger size tin. I’ll be buying quite a few when I make my next order.
i buy mine at the local thrift shop, I have dozens of them in various shapes and from various brands.
I keep most of the tea in the original zip locks they come in, and only store a small amount of each tea in to-go cans or these air tight food containers for daily use. Rest of stored away to keep as fresh as possible.
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