30th May, 2007: The Mysteries of Chai Tea Revealed
A reader asked us what Chai is and so we wanted to take the time to respond. The easiest definition of Chai is spiced milk tea. Chai originated in the East. It is typically a blend of rich black tea, ginger, cardamom, cloves, peppercorn, nutmeg and cinnamon. It may also be made with green tea. Spices and sweeteners may vary based on preference. Vanilla is one common alternative flavor, for instance.
Although there are several methods to prepare Chai, the most popular seems to be as follows: Take your favorite Chai tea mixture, add hot water, milk and honey. Simmer for a few minutes, then strain (in the case of loose tea) and serve.
Now, how many of you hesitate to talk about how much you love Chai as an alternative to morning coffee or an irresistible beverage any time of day just because you are not exactly sure how to pronounce it? Is it “ch I” or “k I?”
The answer is: ch I. In fact, Chai is actually the word for tea in many languages.
Bigelow Tea offers Chai for every palette: Spiced Chai, Vanilla Chai, Green Tea Chai and Decaf Spiced Chai. Go to www.BigelowTea.com to check it out.
For more information about Chai, go here and here.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comments (7)
29th May, 2007: Certified Organic
We had our organic inspection on Tuesday 5/22/07 for the Food Service Green and Green decaf products. The process to get certified started many months ago with an application and detail information being submitted to QAI, Quality Assurance International who certify companies for organic. On Tuesday we had an auditor follow the actual process and paperwork that is used to insure what we are doing meets with the QAI standards. The auditor was here for most of the day and was pleased to see how we operate and control our process. Bottom line is we should have two certified organic products to our food service consumer in the next 30 days.
Dean
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
28th May, 2007: Quotes about Tea
“The British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think i’m going into battle without one, you’re sorely mistaken!” — Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
“If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you.” ~ William Gladstone
“Tea is one of the main stays of civilization in this country.” ~ George Orwell
“A true warrior, like tea, shows his strength in hot water.” ~ Chinese proverb
“Matrons, who toss the cup, and see \ The grounds of fate in grounds of tea.” ~ Charles Churchill, The Ghost (bk. I, l. 117)
“Tea’s proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious, and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise, and will not use abstinence.” ~ Samuel Johnson
“Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey, / Dost sometimes counsel take–and sometimes tea.” ~ Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock (canto III, l. 7)
“Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea? how did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.” ~ Sydney Smith, Lady Holland’s Memoir (vol. I, p. 383)
“Tea does our fancy aid, / Repress those vapours which the head invade / And keeps that palace of the soul serene.” ~ Edmund Waller, Of Tea
“I am so fond of tea that I could write a whole dissertation on its virtues. It comforts and enlivens without the risks attendant on spirituous liquors. Gentle herb! Let the florid grape yield to thee. Thy soft influence is a more safe inspirer of social joy.” ~ James Boswell
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me” ~ C.S. Lewis
“Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting, Favorite chairs anticipating, No matter what I have to do, My friend there’s always time for you” ~ Unknown
“Where there’s tea there’s hope.” ~ Arthur W. Pinero
“Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.” ~ Chaim Potok
“Twinkle, twinkle little bat How I wonder what you’re at! Up above the world you fly, Like a tea-tray in the sky” ~ Lewis Carroll
“Tea and books - Mmmmmm, two of life’s exquisite pleasures that together bring near-bliss.” ~ Christine Hanrahan
“To an Englishman, tea is of far greater importance than toilet paper.” — anon.
“Women are like tea bags, they don’t know how strong they are until they get into hot water.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
“A woman is like a tea bag, you can not tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” ~ Nancy Reagan
“The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort and refinement.” ~ Arthur Gray
More quotes here.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
25th May, 2007: Summer’s Breeze
Well this May has had a chill in the air and that is GOOD….keeps those tea pots still whistling. Our team is diligently working on our newest teas for next year, and they are going to be fabulous.
I will be honest, I am looking forward to things slowing down a tad over the next few summer months. It was an extremely active winter and I feel like a few “low key” days would be just what I could use right about now, so although I like those lower temperatures (for many reasons), I am ready for a few 80 degree plus days…..come on summer, I’m waiting!
Posted by Cindi at 11:33 am | Comments (2)
24th May, 2007: Yankees vs. Red Sox
Oh what a game last night between the Yankees and Red Sox! I think we’re in for a great race between the two teams all summer as well as all of the divisions throughout baseball. Despite having been disillusioned from time to time with the issues surrounding baseball it’s times like this that bring out the kid in me. There was incredible excitement surrounding the Yankees – Red sox series and I’m sure there will be more to come throughout the league all summer. I think that’s why it has been the National Pastime for so long.
Posted by Bob at 4:38 pm | Comment (0)
23rd May, 2007: Winning Formula
It’s all about momentum! After a very slow start the Yankees seem to be on a bit of a roll with the win over the Red Sox last night. The Yankees seem to be playing with more confidence and I believe it all starts with Joe Torre (regularly seen drinking his cup of Bigelow Green Tea in the dugout throughout the game).
Joe defines grace under fire as he never hits the panic button and seems to treat all with respect. I just got his book, Joe Torre’s Ground Rules for Winners and can’t wait to read it. One or two games do not make a season but over a very long season I think Joe’s approach is a winning formula (whether the Yankees win a championship or not).
Posted by Bob at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
21st May, 2007: Training + Improvements= High Quality Bigelow Tea
Training is an ongoing effort for us. In the plants we have yearly recertification for our operators, mechanics, and ware house personnel. Some of the information is review but it allows us to make sure our processes and procedures are being followed or make modifications to the procedures because we have a better way to do it.
We are working on cross training of employees so they are able to help when their co-workers are behind in work or vice versa. The nice thing about this is everyone wants to help out so all we need to do is provide the training so they have the skills.
Recently the management groups have been going through some “team building” events to help work on communication; we can always get better in this area. Today I am at a conference working on productivity, best practices and communication, no matter what level you are at you can always improve.
Dean
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
18th May, 2007: Life in the Tea Lane
Never ceases to amaze me how many hats I have to wear in this company-it is very fun, very exciting but it sometimes makes me laugh how many directions I go in one day!
It is very easy to get caught up in “brush fires” all day and I concentrate very hard on ensuring that I make time for longer term thinking and longer term projects. If you were to ask me, I would say I use a 40-60 rule. Not sure that is the right split for my position, but I would say I spend about 40% of my time on strategic moves and 60% on the immediate situations at hand.
It is not uncommon to hear me laughing through the halls as I scurry by on my way to the next meeting-I cannot help but be amused at the pace I often have to keep.
My parents were absolutely fantastic at turning the company over to me and my sister to run it, and when I am in my full out sprint through the building, I can see the wisdom in their decision for more than one reason. In today’s environment, you really have to be on the go all of the time….well time to head off to my next meeting…got to go!
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
16th May, 2007: Bigelow Salad & Dessert Recipes
Green Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette and Goat Cheese Garnish
Ingredients:
4 cups mixed lettuce greens
¼ cup (60mL) pomegranate seeds*
2 ounces (56g) soft goat cheese, crumbled
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
½ cup (125mL) boiling water
6 Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz® Herb Tea tea bags
1/3 cup (80mL) red wine vinegar
1/3 cup (80mL) olive oil
2 tablespoons (30mL) grated shallots
1 teaspoon (5mL) sugar - to taste
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Make the vinaigrette by infusing water with 6 Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz® Herb Tea bags for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, combine vinegar, olive oil and shallots together. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange a cup of mixed greens on 4 individual plates, garnish with pomegranate seeds and goat cheese, drizzle with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
*If pomegranate seeds are not available substitute sun-dried cranberries.
Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Tangerine Mousse with Honey & Cream
Ingredients:
1 cup (250mL) boiling water
6 Bigelow® Tasty Tangerine Juice Tea Bags
4 egg yolks
1 cup (250mL) sugar, divided
1 pkg. unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons (30mL) cold water
3 egg whites (½ cup = 125mL)
2 cups (500mL) whipping cream, whipped
2 tablespoons (30mL) honey
1 ounce (30mL) orange liqueur
Instructions:
Pour boiling water over tea bags and let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing out excess tea and chill.
Over medium heat, beat egg yolks and half the sugar in the top of a double boiler until fluffy. Let cool.
Dissolve gelatin with a little cold water. Beat egg whites and remaining sugar until fluffy and add to egg yolk mixture, folding carefully. Fold in whipping cream(whipped), gelatin and tea. Place in individual dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Garnish with extra whipping cream, drizzle with honey and orange liqueur.
Yield: Serves 10
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 5-10 minutes
Posted by Liesl at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
15th May, 2007: Green Tea May Be Arthritis Therapy
A new study from the University of Michigan Health System suggests that a compound in green tea may provide therapeutic benefits to people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The study, presented April 29 at the Experimental Biology 2007 in Washington, D.C., looks at a potent anti-inflammatory compound derived from green tea. Researchers found that the compound — called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) — inhibited the production of several molecules in the immune system that contribute to inflammation and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The compound from green tea also was found to suppress the inflammatory products in the connective tissue of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
“Our research is a very promising step in the search for therapies for the joint destruction experienced by people who have rheumatoid arthritis,” says Salah-uddin Ahmed, Ph.D., lead researcher on the study.
This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants and Veteran Administration Medical Research Service funds to Koch.
Posted by Liesl at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
