Please do not wash the caddy, place in refrigerator or freezer as the material is susceptible to damage from moisture and humidity. If water gets on the caddy, wipe off with a soft dry cloth and gently rub to prevent moisture spots. With regular use the caddy will develop a patina: for copper subtle colour changes will start to appear after 2-3 months, in 1-2 years for brass, and 3-5 years for tin. Make sure to line up the seams on the canister and outer lid when closing, allowing the lid to slowly descend by itself in a silky smooth motion so that any superfluous air is expelled from the caddy.
Tea Caddy
Tinplate
Kaikado
SKU
7209-config
Yoshi En has recently grown out of Sunday Natural to become an independent premium tea store. As part of this transition, some products may still be shipped in Sunday Natural packaging.
The signature Kaikado tea caddy with floating inner lid that gently drops down onto the tea leaves to minimise air contact for superior freshness. Made of tinplate – just like the very first Kaikado caddies – this handcrafted double walled container can be purchased together with a matching tinplate tea scoop.
| Product | Tea caddy for 200g of sencha |
| Maker | Kaikado |
| Origin | Kyoto, Japan |
| Dimensions | Ø9.2cm x 13.6cm |
| Materials | Tinplate |
Please note that small marks or scratches where the lid meets the body are a result of the hand production process
Kaikado 開化堂
Since 1875 Kaikado have been meticulously handcrafting their iconic metal tea caddies, using the same techniques, in the same Kyoto workshop, as when they were founded over 145 years ago. Admired for their timeless design and functionality, the double structure caddies are made of tinplate on the inside and either copper, brass or tinplate on the outside, with a tightly-sealing inner and outer lid, to ensure tea leaves stay completely dry. The tinplate is manufactured using the traditional Dobozuke (ドボ漬け) method, where thin sheets of iron are dipped into molten tin, resulting in a distinctive, slightly matte finish. Left uncoated, the metal ages gracefully as it develops an exquisite patina through regular use, which can continue to evolve and be cherished from one generation to the next.
Chazutsu 茶筒
Tea caddies, or Chazutsu in Japanese, are containers in which to store tea leaves. Consisting of the characters for tea and cylinder – the typical shape for Chazutsu – they are made of opaque materials: generally wood, metal or plastic, to block out light, which together with air causes tea to lose its colour, fragrance and taste. Unlike the lacquered Natsume or ceramic Cha-ire containers used to store powdered matcha tea during traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, Chazutsu are designed to be as airtight as possible, often having a second inner lid for extra protection against damp and odours, so that tea leaves can stay fresh for a month or many more depending on the type of tea.
