Product Review: Kawaii Zipper Bag (Yoshimura Package Partners)

Kawaii Zipper Bags are produced by Yoshimura Package Partners in an effort to promote Japanese tea through fun and beautiful packaging.  The zipper bags come in a delightful variety of colors and designs ranging from traditional patterns to seasonal scenes.

I was fortunate to receive a few samples of Kawaii Zipper Bags and used them to store and display tea for a Rare Japanese Teas tasting event that I presented.  The bags look attractive, stand up easily, and the aluminum interior and sturdy zipper seal help to keep the contents fresh and safe from moisture.

These bags are washable and reusable.  Due to their shiny or textured surfaces, they don't hold adhesive labels, so any identifying labels or greetings for gift giving should be tied on, attached with a clip, or written with permanent marker.

Wholesale orders for Kawaii Zipper Bags can be placed through Super Delivery International.

Wholesale custom designs and heat-sealable options can be order through MYPAKE.

This product was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Equipment Review: The Wall Tea Infuser (Boreal Wildcraft)

The Wall Tea Infuser from Boreal Wildcraft has had a lot of positive feedback over the years and I finally had the opportunity to try it out.

The Wall is made from lab-grade borosilicate.  Though it feels lightweight and delicate, it stands up to a fair amount of rough use.  If you're still worried or have my history of marble countertop vs. glassware disasters, keeping a cork coaster handy should alleviate any lingering breakage fears.

Medium-to-large leaf teas and tisanes that aren't susceptible to over-brewing are ideal candidates for The Wall.  It sits in that happy middle ground between the enjoyment of drinking tea grandpa style (in an open cup or bowl without an infuser) and being able to do so without having to use your mouth as a strainer.  

The Wall comes in 310ml and 440ml sizes and is available in right-handed or left-handed styles.  I have the 310ml model which holds 10 ounces of liquid when filled to the bottom of the built-in infuser.  Smaller tea leaves tend to escape around the edges of the filter when it's tipped for drinking, which can be prevented by leaving approximately 1/2" of room.  The larger the leaf, the safer it is to be generous with the water. 

For this review, I started off with Sun Moon Lake, a Taiwanese black tea with moderately large leaves that stands up well to over-steeping.  The water was just below the infuser and none of the leaves slipped over the filter while drinking.  

There's a certain satisfaction in watching the leaves unfurl and the color develop through the clear glass of The Wall.

During the warmer months, I like to cold brew single servings of tea overnight in the refrigerator.  The Wall works beautifully for this purpose and, since cold brewed teas don't develop tannins, results are almost always delicious.  My cold-brewed Ceylon black tea from Kenilworth Estate was sweet and refreshing.  The only issue was with the small tea leaves escaping over the sides of the filter because I didn't leave room below the filter.

Consisting solely of large buds, Baihao Yinzhen and Junshan Yinzhen (the final tea for this review) are ideal for The Wall.  The leaves won't over-steep and watching the leaves dance up and down can be mesmerizing.

The Wall is fuss-free, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing.  It's a welcome addition to my teaware collection and worth considering for your own collection.

Pros:

• Keep re-brewing tea (tea for days!)
• Lightweight and easy to hold
• Few-to-no leaves sneaking through the filter
• Easy clean up
• Cold or hot brew
• Clear view of the leaves unfurling and the liquor color developing

Cons:

• Feels fragile (though it isn't). Nerves easily soothed with a coaster.
• Not ideal for teas and tisanes that can be oversteeped, have small leaves and stems, or were steamed during processing.

Equipment Review: CRAFTEA

While attending the 2015 World Tea Expo, I saw a lot of innovative tea and beverage equipment from household names to market newcomers.  All were impressive in their own right and I touched on a few that stood out in my WTE 2015 recaps.

Space is always a concern in my home and the tools I currently own serve their purpose well.  With no plan or need to purchase more tea equipment, I approached the CRAFTEA booth to view a demonstration.  There, Jitu Keshav shared the amusing story behind the creation of the CRAFTEA, and it resonated with me.  Masala chai holds a special place in my heart, but it's difficult to find a source for the traditional brew where I live and the mess involved in making it at home is daunting.  I'm easily distracted by any number of projects (I own a whistling teakettle for good reason) and a milk boil-over under my not-so-watchful eye is almost guaranteed.

The CRAFTEA is the answer to a need I didn't expect to have fulfilled.  It's programmable and can make anything from teas to flavored infusions to a proper chai.  I took a chance and pre-ordered a CRAFTEA the same night it won the award for Best New Product 2015 at the Expo.   Since its arrival, it has delivered on its promise of usefulness.

The Unboxing

Included in the box is the CRAFTEA tea maker, an instruction manual, and a recipe book.  The tea maker stands almost 13-inches tall and is 6-inches wide and 9-inches deep at the base.  For those with limited kitchen space, this has a reasonably small footprint.  The cord is short which may limit where it can be used.  The teapot lid, strainer, and stirrer are removable for easy cleanup.   Note that some caution should be used when cleaning around the metal guides that hold the strainer in place inside the teapot.

If you are an early-adopter (before 2016) of the CRAFTEA, like myself, you may find that the stirrer is difficult to remove and may create more noise than expected.  An updated stirrer will easily resolve both problems and can be requested through the contact page on the official website.

[removable strainer & stirrer]

[teapot interior with stirrer in place]

How It Works

The CRAFTEA uses induction heating which prevents scalding or boil-over and vortex technology which blends ingredients evenly for more reliable flavor results.  A full teapot will produce 4 cups of tea.

Press the power button and follow the prompts on the screen.  A loud beep will alert you after each step is completed so you can safely step away while it works.  First, the water will be heated to the appropriate temperature.  Next, the tea is added.   It is important to note that tea leaves will open up and release their flavor more quickly than with standard preparation methods, so time should be reduced accordingly.  A 5-minute cup of black tea may take only 2 to 3 minutes.  

For chai, you will receive prompts to add spices, add sweetener and tea, and then add milk.  You will receive similar prompts for other flavor infusions.  

Keep in mind that hot steam will be venting through the lid.  When in use, keep the tea maker out from under cabinetry and avoid reaching over the lid.  The pitcher will also be hot and should only be held by the handle.

I prefer traditional tea brewing methods for loose tea and have been using my CRAFTEA exclusively for chai and the occasional flavored infusion.  I've prepared Pratima & Jitu's Favorite Chai Recipe (with a bit of clove) several times for guests at home and for co-workers in the office and it has been a big hit every time.  

Pros:

• Space efficiency.
• Audible and on-screen prompts.
• No scalding or boil-overs.
• Easy cleanup.

Cons:

• Short cord limits area of use.
• The loud beeping is not ideal for use in quiet spaces or events.  (No volume option)
• Price, while comparable for similar equipment, may be prohibitive.