19th May, 2008: Tea with the Queen (Queen Latifah, that is)
British monarchs aren’t the only ones who enjoy a spot of tea. Even American royalty indulge themselves from time to time. One royal miss is rapper/actress, Queen Latifah. You might remember her as Matron Mama Morton in the movie Chicago or recognize her for her Grammy-winning performance for U.N.I.T.Y. in 1994. Either way, you can now recognize Queen Latifah as a woman with a taste for tea as proven by this recent photo on the OMG celebrity web site, where she was caught sitting down to tea.
For more information on Queen Latifah, including her music and movies, visit her official web site here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
16th May, 2008: Tea Habits are Telling
Is your boss one who constantly blows on her tea? Does your favorite supervisor make tea? Your answers may have quite a bit to say about these managers. That’s according to a report commissioned by the UK Tea Council.
The study which was headed by an occupational psychologist (lest you doubt its validity), yielded intriguing results and unlocked a number of secrets to our co-workers’ tea habits. As a case-in-point, almost 80 percent of the one-thousand European office workers and human resources managers surveyed, thought that tea-makers “displayed top management skills.” Tea-makers were also regarded as the best office communicators.
In addition, the report identified six specific tea drinking habits tied to personality traits. For instance, confident managers tend to lean forward “with cup close to chin in one hand” and use “lots of flowing, varied and relaxed gestures.” At the opposite extreme is the weak boss who “holds [the] cup in both hands as if warming them and keeps blowing tea nervously.” This, the study warns, is the type of boss “who’s not comfortable in charge.”
Are Americans different in our tea habits? You decide. To learn more about the UK study, visit the UK Tea Council website here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
15th May, 2008: Inspections at Bigelow Tea
Do you know what HACCP stands for? Most people would not but if you are in the food industry you would know it stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. HACCP is a systematic preventative approach to food safety that addresses physical, chemical, and biological hazards as a means of prevention rather than finished product inspection. Critical Control Points are identified where potential food safety hazards could occur and procedures are put in place to ensure the product is safe.
HACCP was conceived in the 1960s for NASA for the space flights. Since then HACCP has been used internationally and in other industries such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. When we receive an inspection from our 3rd party auditor one of the major reviews that we go through is our HACCP program. The program shows the entire flow of our product and where those Critical Control Points are. It also details out our steps for inspections and correction if problems occur.
Overall the HACCP is a very detailed program that helps insure the products that are reaching the consumers are safe for consumption.
Dean
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14th May, 2008: May, National Smile Month
Everyone understands that brushing and flossing are essential for a dazzling smile. But did you know that tea can also support dental health? “We all know excellent nutrition helps build an excellent body,” says Paula Shannon Jones, DDS, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. “So it follows that whatever you eat affects your teeth and gums, too.” Also what you drink!
From May 18 to June 17 — which is National Smile Month in the United States and the U.K. — pay special attention to your diet, and consider what you’re drinking.
An earlier post on the Bigelow Tea blog told of how black and green teas contain antioxidant compounds that keep plaque from adhering to your teeth and help reduce your chances of developing cavities and even gum disease.
“Tea also has potential for reducing bad breath because it inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause the odor,” according to Christine D. Wu, PhD, who conducts research on oral health.
If you also enjoy acidic beverages, however (such as sodas and sports drinks which can be tough on our teeth’s enamel), try using a straw positioned toward the back of your mouth to limit the liquids’ contact with your teeth.
For more information on smart dental health practices, click here, and for additional details on the largest independent international dental health campaign, stop by the National Smile Month web site.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
13th May, 2008: Bluesy Tea
Green tea may be all the rage, but a raspy voiced singer-songwriter named Dendee has got the blues over the beverage. The London-born musician bemoans the traditional English Tea he’s come to miss while living in America in his light-hearted song “I want a cup of tea,” which was featured on the Tea Muse online newsletter.
It soon becomes apparent that it’s not just the drink, Dendee misses, but the British foodstuffs typically paired with tea as well. Items like Toad-in-the-hole, which are sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, and spotted dick, a steamed suet pudding with dried fruit.
So, steep some Bigelow Earl Grey, then click here for a listen.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
12th May, 2008: A Driving Force at Bigelow Tea
I had a valuable yet quite sad encounter this past weekend with an individual who works for a small business who was doing some work for me. This guy was sharing his story on how he had started with his employer a few years ago and how they really never treated him well. Company management were constantly taking away one thing after another so that his “package” was something that could barely sustain his family.
I realize this is happening more and more. Between spiraling healthcare costs, and rising gas and food prices, this country which of course includes our Bigelow Tea employees will have to endure an incredibly painful future. But this conversation also reminds me, one more time, that in my position at Bigelow, I should never forget that not just 330 employees are affected but 330 families are dependent on the success of what we do and how we do it.
It is funny, sometimes people ask me what are the pressures like in running a private company with no stockholders breathing down our necks. I always say, that yes I don’t have stockholders to worry about but I do have a lot of people whose livelihoods depend on my actions.
That conversation last weekend was sad for sure, it weighs heavily on me. But it also was an invaluable reminder of what needs to be a driving force in my everyday actions here at Bigelow Tea…
Cindi Bigelow
President
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
9th May, 2008: Celebrating Mother’s Day
Are you still looking for a special way to celebrate Mother’s Day? Something a little indulgent, but still sentimental? You might consider one of the delightful gift ideas from the online Bigelow Tea shop.
If you can’t serve Mom breakfast in bed on her special day (or even if you can!) the cheery Hearty Breakfast Basket is a nice option. 
It features pancake mix, maple syrup, cinnamon toast sugar, a variety of tea and more. Since warm weather has been slow to arrive, Mom might also appreciate the little bit of springtime in found Bigelow’s Flower of the Month Teacup and Saucers, available through the Spring catalog.
For something a little less traditional, consider the Green Tea Spa Bag. 
It’s a spring-green jute tote filled with a variety of bath essentials and your favorite green teas. (Psst, if you are a mom yourself, start dropping hints for this one now so you can spoil yourself this summer!)
For any of these items, stop by the Bigelow Tea shop by clicking here. And, to draw an even bigger smile, consider adding a homemade card just like you did when you were a child! Here’s a sweet little verse to get you started:
Happy Mother’s Day!
A cup of tea to say thank you
For all the things you’ve done,
And wishes that the day will bring
You happiness and fun. (Unknown Author)
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
7th May, 2008: Tea’s Role in Women’s Health
Can certain foods deter ovarian cancer? Scientists are uncovering evidence that may just be the case … and tea is one beverage that also falls into this category.
In a special report for MSNBC.com, Karen Collins, R.D. notes that “diets high in certain flavonoid compounds found in tea, vegetables, fruits and beans may significantly lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.”
Regular Bigelow blog readers have already read of the importance of flavonoids in a healthy diet. Now, according to Collin’s report, we learn that they have positive implications for ovarian health specifically. A comprehensive 2007 study published in the International Journal of Cancer, suggested that two flavonoids might help lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
“Kaempferol – a flavonoid found in tea, broccoli, kale and spinach – and luteolin – which is provided by peppers, carrots, cabbage and celery – were both identified as cancer protective. Women who consumed the most of these two flavonoids were 40 percent and 34 percent less likely, respectively, to develop ovarian cancer compared to women who consumed the least. Participants who consumed high levels of a third phytochemical, myricetin (found in tea, dried beans, raisins and blueberries), also seemed somewhat protected.”
Collins cautions, however, that “although the research is promising, for now women are best advised not to focus on a single potential link highlighted in one or two studies, but to follow current guidelines to lower overall cancer risk. General recommendations include following a diet that provides a wide variety of vegetables and other plant-based foods, exercising regularly and controlling weight.”
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
6th May, 2008: News from the Charleston Tea Plantation
News from the Charleston Tea Plantation: The first tea harvest for 2008 will take place this Wednesday May 7th. We will be building inventory for our First Flush Festival which takes place on May 17th. Go here for more information.
The weather continues to be dry here on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, therefore the leaves are a little behind their normal growth. However, there will be plenty of tea ready for the festival.
Put your order in soon for the First Flush Tea, call directly to place your order 843 559 0383. The quantity is limited!
Bill Hall, Partner
Charleston Tea Plantation
Posted by Liesl at 8:28 am | Comment (0)
6th May, 2008: Carbon Footprints
Have you ever tried to figure out your Carbon Footprint for your house? We have been working on summarizing all our efforts in the Green/Environmental areas and trying to put a number to it. We could say we saved x amount of paper or did not use x amount of electricity but they all have different measurements. One method out there is to convert all the savings into carbon numbers and then they can be added or subtracted with ease.
There are many different calculators on the web that are appropriate for the household level. All you do is input your electric, gas, waste, commuting numbers and at the end a carbon footprint number is calculated. It is rather interesting to see where you have the biggest impact and what options you might explore if you want to reduce it. For the business it gets a bit more complicated with different locations but it has been a good exercise to see what our impact is. For many years we have been working on reducing our footprint and now we can see exactly what that effort has been. We need to keep on making reductions for even with the improvements we have made our total Carbon Footprint can still be lowered.
Dean
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