As you prepare to hit the road for your next trip (for World Tea Expo in Long Beach, perhaps?), it pays to think about preparing for tea on the road.
Tea enthusiasts have been known to go to extremes to ensure access to the teas they know and love. Fortunately, there are some great products on the market to make travel easier.
Most tea drinkers are well acquainted with travel tumblers, double-walled glass, plastic or stainless steel jars with a screw top infuser that allows users to steep and sip with the same container. Stash Tea has a more unusual version made of Yixing clay.
One challenge some find with tea tumblers is that the tea continues to steep because the leaves are not removed. Bodum has created a travel press aimed at fixing this challenge, incorporating a plunger into the traditional travel mug. DAVIDsTEA offers a range of colors.
There is the issue of carrying the tea leaves themselves. Many companies now sell tea wallets and instructions can be found online for making your own. Tea wallets are usually designed to carry tea bags. What about loose leaf? Deb Messina of One Mark Creations has created an elegant option that contains a tin for adding your tea of choice.
Want everything in one place? Thistledown Cozies has developed an all-in-one solution -- tea tumbler and four tins for transporting loose leaf tea -- in an attractive carrying case.
For some of you, nothing can replace the style and function of your favorite teaware from home. Teavivre offers a porcelain travel gaiwan set while Red Blossom Tea Company sells a more elaborate set with a bamboo case, octagonal tea tray and a gaiwan, server, cups, and tongs.