The ideal caddy is tight-lipped and spacious enough to hold loose-leaf favorites. Common sizes hold 50g | 100g | 500g
Infinity Jars | Travel Size (3-Pack)
These airtight, scent-proof, ultraviolet glass jars make excellent tea caddies. The glass blocks out all damaging visible light rays and only permits beneficial rays to enter. The convenient size packs easily. Preserve the freshness of plant-based goods for over 6 months! Laboratory tested to deliver shockingly powerful and superior protection over other glassware. H: 2.5 cm/ Diameter: 3.5 cm/Opening: 2.2 cm | Black
$35 (3-pack 5ml) | $19 (50ml) | infinityjars.com| Amazon
Kabaizaiku Tea Caddy | Lacquered Cherry Wood
This Japanese tea caddy is entirely clad in cherry wood, one of Japan’s emblematic trees. The wood helps preserve your most treasured teas. Meticulous hand-work in the small town of Kakunodate results in an astonishingly lightweight, waterproof container. No two are alike; the rich cherry color changes hue over time.
$207 (CAD) | 425ml | 6.75 cm diameter opening | Stands 11.75 cm tall
www.camelliasinensis.com
Soleil d’Hermès | Tea Box
Soleil d’Hermès transports us into the warmth of summer under a Mediterranean sun; its intense blazing light transforms the outlines of architecture and objects. The spontaneous nature of the design elevates yellow in subtle shades that give the color strength and depth. Hand-painted lacquered wood by Arielle de Brichambaut. Tin interior. Made in Vietnam. | D 10 x h 13 cm
$1,325 (CAD) | www.hermes.com
Mariage Frères | Cherry Bark Tea Canister
Empty box made of cherry wood, presenting a double lid inside to preserve the freshness of your teas: a legendary example of Mariage’s masculine, refined elegance.| Holds 100g of tea
€55.20 | www.mariagefreres.com
Kyoto Handicraft | Lacquerware Caddy
Lacquer has supported Japanese life and culture by being widely used for its robustness, durability, and ease of decoration. Its shape resembles a jujube tree fruit, so it is named “natsume,” which means jujube in Japanese. This caddy is decorated with symbols of the four seasons. It is one of the tea utensils used as a container for powdered green tea. | Aesculus turbinata Lacquer | 6.5 x H7 cm | 40g | Made in Japan
¥15,840 JPY | kyotohandicraftcenter.com
Preserving the Life of the Leaves
By Nicole Wilson
Airtight, opaque containers are the best storage option. Stainless steel tins are the most common, but ceramic and other materials are well-regarded. A well-made container should protect the tea from moisture in the air, heat, odor, and light, all threats to freshness. Caddies can be easily found in almost every shape, size, color, and design. Smaller three or 4-oz tins will usually cost around $3 and up, depending on the construction and whether or not they are handmade. It is best to match the size of the tin with the quantity of tea you have on hand to leave as little open space as possible. If choosing a container not explicitly made for tea, it is important to ensure the material is labeled as food-safe.
Tea Buyer’s Guide
Also: Centuries-old historic tea leaf storage jar
When purchasing tea in larger quantities, keeping a smaller tin that can be refilled from a second larger container when needed can be helpful. This avoids repeatedly exposing the entire stock to unnecessary air when just a small amount is required for serving. If possible, keep the tea inside the protective foil pouch it was likely purchased in (or buy some food-safe or mylar-type pouches online), then keep that pouch inside a container of your choice. This enables you to squeeze out the remaining air from the packet. Keeping loose tea inside a container traps air inside the tea, causing staleness.
