Washi Tea Tins

I love these tins and have been collecting them for years (since Teavana opened in my city!) They're attractive and fun! However, this past summer I noticed cockroaches congregating at night in the cupboard where I keep the tins (no food - just tea in tins). They weren't ANYWHERE ELSE in my house. I keep my kitchen very clean (I live by myself and mostly eat at my parents' house, so there generally isn't much food around). I sealed up all my tins in plastic boxes and the cockroaches never came back. I've never had this issue before and I've always kept the tins in the same place, so maybe the weather changed their habits suddenly. Just wanted people to realize that the paper and/or glue these tins are made of can attract cockroaches.

LOVE these tea tins. They make my tea shelf in my pantry look beautiful. When they arrived, however, I attempted to wash the tin before I put my tin in it, but the paper started to peel away. I immediately stopped what I was doing before I did any real damage to the tin. They are like little works of art on your shelf. It may be an indulgence, because the metal tins are just as good and you can actually wash them, but it is really a little pick-me-up to see such pretty tins all lined up on your shelf.

I love these, they're so pretty. I usually buy a new tin for each of my favorite teas, and they look so pretty in the tins - you can pick out a different pattern to remind you of the tea you have inside! The only downfall is that sometimes when you go to the store they may not have very many to choose from, but that's all!

I choose each of my tins to "remind" me of which tea I store inside. In other words, I choose the tin that most "looks" like the tea name to me. If it's Tranquil Dream, I'll buy a tin that's mostly blue - like late evening with subtle decorations.
Unlike another reviewer, I do not wash my tins when switching to another tea. In fact the tea directors at Teavana suggested that they never be washed. I simply wipe lightly with a paper towel and leave open to the air for a day or so. That technique works perfectly well for me and I have a nose better than our hunting dog or any hunting dog we've ever had!
Enjoy and I can't wait for the next new tea tin designs!

Washi tins are a great blend of form and function. They are airtight keeping the tea aroma locked-in while keeping other scents and moisture out. There is a pattern for everyone out there and even if you receive one at random you will find a suitable tea to match the style of the tin.
The volume of the tin is a decent size as well. If you drink 1-3 cups a day this will hold at least a month's supply. It's also small enough to fit in a tote to take to work or back in for a refill.
Care is needed when cleaning it out for your next tea though. Gently fill up and rinse out the tin with water only. Avoid getting water on the PAPER exterior or it may warp or wear off. If you rinse it carefully it will still look fine and barely smell like the tea stored in it.
The paper coating makes it beautiful to the eyes and the touch but extra upkeep is required. Besides delicate washing instructions it must also be stored out of direct sunlight or the pattern will sun-bleach.