Lotusier Tea Humidor

UK

Interior design company Lotusier has introduced the Tea Humidor, a new approach to storing fine teas. Exquisitely designed by Åsa Eriksson-Ahuja, the new tea chests elevate the preservation and presentation of tea. Teas are stored in optimal conditions where the air around the tea is neither too dry nor too humid, and protected from light and odors.

The humidors consist of a chest made of rare woods and other fine materials that have been sensitively and responsibly sourced, and inside it six hand-blown, air-tight, crystal tea storage jars, each of which contains a two-way humidity system that allows the ability to add or remove humidity. Most teas should be stored at 55-70% relative humidity for the subtleties of flavor to be maintained and this presents a huge challenge in very humid and very dry countries. The humidor allows the regulation of optimal humidity for each of the tea jars and the ability to monitor it using the German-made hygrometers fitted inside the lid of each tea container.

Founder and designer Eriksson-Ahuja, says “I was inspired to create the Tea Humidor whilst searching for a unique gift for my husband. It is truly exciting after four years of further development to be able to share this invention with others who appreciate tea and beautiful objects.” The Humidor is a collectible objet d’art and showcases the skills of numerous expert craftsmen, as displayed in the marquetry of the exterior and the hand-crafted crystal ware inside.It is currently available in five designs, each inspired by a different tea drinking culture: the Cha-Jing, inspired by China; the Saicho, inspired by Japan; the Indus, inspired by the Indian subcontinent; the Andalus, inspired by the Middle East; and the Euro-American deco design. Chests are priced at $8,700 and up. Available direct from Lotusier and stocked by Thomas Goode in Mayfair. Learn more: www.lotusier.com)