Tea Stash for Traveling
So I might be asking the wrong group about what is a “reasonable” amount of tea to travel with, but it’s something I’m going to have to figure out soon and I’d love to hear thoughts on it. I’m going to be traveling for a month by car which means I don’t have the space of a suitcase to limit me and I’m pondering how much tea to bring. I already decided I’m bringing my new kettle. I’ll be traveling to where there are tea shops, so I could use the excuse of not bringing enough to justify further purchases, but I still want to bring some anyways.
Anyone have any good tips on housing or packing tea for travel? I saw a little travel pack at Teavana once, which just looked like a few overpriced tins in a neoprene case. It was a neat idea, but not for the price and the limit of three tins.
I got the Teavana thing but the infuser is made of metal entirely so I have no idea how you’re supposed to get it out of hot water when time’s up. There are really only two tins in there that hold 1 oz each, the other holds this infuser and is lined. I got it for 40% off so it was useful then but $25…nope. I’d take enough for what I typically drink per day, times the days gone. Then maybe halve it if you want to pick up new things too. Maybe get a toiletry bag type thing just for the teas, too.
I think the set would be great if I was just going into work, but there is no way it would suffice on a longer trip. I do have an extra toiletry bag that needs a new job! Maybe if I just fill that up it will be enough to keep me going until I stop into a shop.
Just be sure that either a) your samples are well packed/sealed or b) your extra toiletry bag is unused, because soap/toothpaste/any sort of scented product contamination in tea would be barfy. It happened to me with some Rolaids that were near a bar of soap…. :S And I don’t think Rolaids pick up aromas as easily as tea. (Otherwise, I think it’s a perfect idea!)
Are you already planning to pack the tea inside the kettle?
Aluminum foil works really well to prevent odor contamination between teas in plastic bags being stored together in small areas. Just wrap each bag in 3-4 layers of foil, and they should not contaminate each other if they are all stuffed down into the kettle for transport.
And if you are looking for cheap tins, try the thrift store. Tins are such popular packaging for so many non-scented items (like Fossil watches), I have been able to find a lot of tins to use for tea storage, in all kinds of sizes (small to large).
I will be ordering one of these tea kits, already in contact with tin roof about it http://tinroofteas.com/
image of kit below
http://www.thistledownshop.com/teakitbag.html
When I travel I just bring the tea in original packaging – tin or foil pouch, typically. Make sure nothing gets crushed and you’re set! Don’t forget a spoon and something to steep in. Maybe multiple somethings so you don’t have to clean each one between uses. If a lot of this time is on the road, maybe a thermos that you can keep water hot in so you can keep steeping while you drive?
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