gmathis said

Tidy storage between steeps?

I use a lot of fill-it-yourself paper bags at work for convenience, but as klutzy as I am, leaving a used bag out on a spoon rest is a recipe for tea stain disaster - how do you store your leaves between steeps? I thought about a little Tupperware-type keeper, but wondered if the damp leaves would get nasty.

I’m on an involuntary frugality kick right now, and hate tossing tea that’ll make multiple cups. Your tips?

14 Replies
takgoti said

For most of my tea making, I use one of these infusers.
http://www.forlifedesign.com/infusers-strainers/426.html

I just let the leaves sit in it if I know I’m going to be steeping more and if I’m done I shake it into the trashcan. It does require some light rinsing between teas, so if you don’t have access to a small sink it might not be worth it.

Would using a small cup to place it in would reduce the chances of tea stain-age? For tupperware, I’d be worried about it getting moldy, but I guess that really depends on how long you leave it in there. Maybe if you rubberbanded some cheesecloth on top of a tupperware container to let it breathe? No clue if that would work.

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Auggy said

I don’t typically use bags but I have a china saucer that matches no other china set that I own, my parents own or my in-laws own (I have no idea where it came from) that I don’t mind if it gets messy or stained and that’s where everything damp with tea gets set – spoons, drippy teapots, bags, whatever. Then every so often, I dip it in a bleach/water mix and all is happy again.

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denisend said

I use a Chantal tea bin, but I don’t let damp leaves sit overnight. I’m not sure how long you’re talking about keeping things.

http://www.amazon.com/Chantal-Ceramic-2-Cup-4-Ounce-Yellow/dp/B000QTX2PA/

I love it for work because the damp bags don’t create an unsightly mess on my desk for my coworkers.

gmathis said

Ooh…I like those! Right size and everything!

Cofftea said

I’ve had no problem w/ damp leaves personally. I often start leaves at nite and then finish them in the morning. Maybe I just have good luck?

gmathis said

At Walgreens this weekend, I found for a whopping $0.69 what they call “mini canisters” … a little ceramic container a touch larger than a film canister. I think that may do the trick. Price was certainly right.

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Cofftea said

I love my ingenuiTEA because the leaves can stay put. If I want to switch what kind I’m making w/o throwing them out I just dump them into a dish. When I use my own fillable bags (which I also LOVE) I just put the bag in an empty cup. Gently squeezing just enough to drain the mess back into your cup helps.

Cofftea said

Roo or “pouch” mugs/cups are also GREAT, especially if you’re at a party and mingling. I’m on the hunt for a clear one.

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Angrboda said

I always brew with the leaves loose in the pot, so if I think I want to resteep them, I’ll just leave them there. If I’m drinking something else in between, I’ll make that in a different pot. I have plenty to choose from so that’s not a problem.

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The leaves can’t touch milk or cream if you want to keep them — whether loose or in a strong bag. Not unless you really hate someone and want to make them a cup of tea and watch their reaction. You may want to have running shoes on, though.

Otherwise, thanks for asking this question. I was wondering this myself and the replies have been interesting.

gmathis said

I’ve never booby-trapped a cup of tea before…hmmm…..

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Cofftea said

A teapot w/ an infuser at the top works great too. teagarden.com has a great one on sale for the holidays. http://www.teagarden.com/steeping-pot-c-45-p-2-pr-517.html

I have this teapot and I love it. It is a very durable glass teapot. I highly recommend!

Cofftea said

Do you have problems w/ it not decanting all of the liquid? I have to tip it upside down and shake it and I still normally have a little at the bottom. I also hate how the leaves get cought in grooves of the cover and by the strainer.

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