30th September, 2008: Chamomile Tea Goes Beyond Comforting: It May Prevent Diabetes Complications too!
A recent study from Japan and the UK concluded that chamomile tea may prevent blood sugar increases and other complications associated with type 2 diabetes. In the study, diabetic rats that were fed chamomile tea exhibited lower production of sugar alcohol sorbitol from glucose, which has been linked to eye and nerve cell damage as well as kidney damage.
Researchers from the University of Toyama in Japan and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in the UK reported “The results (of this new study) clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.”
Future studies on humans will need to be conducted to see whether the results can be repeated. As a dietary approach, this may well mean chamomile tea may be added to the expanding list. This is promising news for those with type 2 diabetes…
If you are just looking for “comforting” and want to learn more about herbal teas in general go here. Curious which celebs are drinking chamomile tea? Look here. Or maybe you’re hankering for some chamomile tea yourself?
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
29th September, 2008: Bon Jovi Tours with Herbal Tea
With more than 2500 concerts in over 50 countries, Bon Jovi has been around almost as long as tea — okay, maybe not quite that long. However, 25 years is a long time for a band, and Jon and his band are still going strong. In fact, at one time, David Bryan joked “We’re the same as when we started out — just a little more expensive and a little older.”
Some things have changed just a little over the years, like the must-haves when they are on tour. Along with the meatloaf that their chef of 20 years prepares before the first date of their tour, you can add chicken soup, Halls Soothers and, you guessed it, herbal tea.
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
26th September, 2008: 21st Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge
The big day is coming up!! Yes our 21st Bigelow Tea Community Challenge is this Sunday (rain or shine), September 28th. We hold this wonderful family event at Wakeman’s boys and girls club in Southport CT. We hope to have over 1000 participants to either be in the kid’s fun run, the 2 mile fitness walk or the 5K road race. It is such a special event bringing together so many people in our community to raise money for local organization’s in need. This year we have already raised $85,000 – WOW! That just goes to show how generous and kind people truly are, even during these more challenging times.
I am so proud of the people in this company that make this event happen, the volunteers that come the day of and all those in our community that participate-together it creates a positive spirit beyond words!
This race has truly become a treasured event in our company….I will happily let you know the results when it is over. Yes rain or shine, everyone on that day is a winner in my book!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 9:33 am | Comment (0)
26th September, 2008: The Art of the Sommelier
Many have heard the term ‘sommelier’ in relation to wine. People tend to associate it with being an expert on whatever subject is being referenced. James Labe is America’s first tea sommelier. He explains the difference between a wine and tea sommelier as follows: “a tea sommelier is someone who walks around making recommendations and preparing tea for people, that’s the big difference between a wine sommelier and a tea sommelier.” Labe is a faculty member with the American Tea Masters Association and has received many prestigious honors.
For those of you looking to learn more about tea sommeliers through firsthand accounts, check out The Voice of Tea, a blog written by tea sommelier Chris Cason.
If you’re interested in becoming a tea sommelier yourself or just learning more about it, check out the Art of Tea’s Tea Sommelier Training program.
Posted by Linda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
24th September, 2008: Tea Video Contest Selects Its “2008 Calm-A-Sutra of Tea™ Master”
The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea Master for 2008 National Scholarship contest, which required all entrants to submit original one-to-two minute Internet videos containing at least one valid message regarding tea’s health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea, has chosen a winner…and the grand prize goes to…John Ford. John will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the Tea Council of the USA, Inc.
John is a resident of Los Angeles, CA and second year graduate student at the American Film Institute (AFI) where he is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Directing.
Out of nearly 700 videos submitted, John’s video, INTERROGATION, stood out. The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. partnered with sitcom star Megyn Price of the CBS hit series Rules of Engagement as the official Calm-A-Sutra of Tea celebrity spokesperson.
The video was reportedly inspired by John’s father, a retired FBI agent, “who to this day can’t seem to shake the habit of interrogating everyone, including the cat.” It depicts two police detectives interrogating a cup of tea. It’s entertaining and educational all at the same time… a must watch!
For more information, see our two previous entries: Enjoy the “Calm-A-Sutra of Tea” and Win $$$ and The How’s and Why’s of Tea.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
23rd September, 2008: Victoria Rowell is Making the World a Better Place
You probably know Victoria Rowell best as Drucilla Winters from The Young and The Restless, or as Dr. Amanda Bentley from the series Diagnosis Murder. However, did you know that she is also a bestselling author and the founder of the Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan?
Each year Victoria hosts her Victoria Rowell Steps Out for High Tea at Noon event to raise funds for her organization in support of children in the foster care system. This year, the tea, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, featured such notables as Chris Schauble of the early morning news show Today in LA, actress Angela Bassett, hat designer Patricia Underwood, Rowell’s fiancé and world-renowned artist Radcliffe Bailey, and recording artist Stephanie Mills. All joined to help Victoria make the world a better place one tea party at a time.
Special thanks for this photo from blackcelebkids.com
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
22nd September, 2008: It’s the First Day of Fall: Time for a Harvest Moon Tea Party
Look for the “Harvest Moon”…today is the first day of fall. What “a marvelous night for a moon dance” or better yet, for a Harvest Moon Tea Party?
Autumn begins with the September equinox, when the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west, which is true of the spring equinox as well. Soon the weather will become brisk and the leaves will start to turn from green to shades of red, yellow and orange.
Throughout the season, be sure to enjoy both the sun and the moon with a delightful, warm cup of Pumpkin Spice Autumn Spiced Tea or Cinnamon Stick® Tea.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
19th September, 2008: Cast Aside Your Everyday Teapot
Cast aside your everyday teapot in favor of a cast iron one. It’s one of a kind and retains heat better, lasts longer and is a source of daily iron.
A popular method for producing cast iron teapots is by using a process called sand casting. Sand casting is done using either a green sand mold or air set sand casting. After the pattern has been tamped into the sand mold itself, molten metal is then poured into the mold to create the teapot.
What is particularly appealing about the use of sand molds is every individual teapot that was produced from a particular mold is unique since the mold it was created in cannot be used again. Even if another mold is made to replicate the same shape, it will never be exactly alike.
In her article, “Cooking with Cast Iron Pots”, Martha L. Gore of Healthy Cooking speaks about the benefits of cooking with cast iron. In addition to heating more uniformly, using cast iron can contribute to the daily source of iron. And don’t forget durability.
Bigelow offers a couple different kinds of cast iron teapots, both of which will leave you happily brewing your favorite kind of tea for years to come. Check out our Butterfly Teapot and Green Bamboo Cast Iron Teapot.
Butterfly Teapot
Green Bamboo Cast Iron Teapot
Posted by Ross at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
18th September, 2008: Keeping Tradition Alive!
Okay, I seem to want to keep the tradition alive. Yes the company picnic is over and I feel the effects way past the big day. I am still limping around! But what a FUN event. Nothing like a non-competitive competitive game of softball to bring people together. I absolutely love getting a chance to play on a team and against teams with people that I work with…sure you can get “to know them” in meetings and in the hallway BUT it can’t compare to spending hours in a game setting. The laughter, the heckling, the smiles, the pain…it is truly irreplaceable. So what did I do this year you ask….I pulled my hamstring!!! Ouch but it was worth it…our team brought home the gold. I heard tea can help hamstrings heal, I better brew me up several cups!!!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
17th September, 2008: Live Long with Oolong
Since it was first sipped by ancient Chinese emperors, Oolong has been heralded as a very special kind of tea. Today, we now recognize that the reason for this lies in the numerous ways in which the tea can improve your health and well-being.
Just like green tea, Oolong contains incredible anti-oxidants which, on their own, supply a tea drinker with many healthy benefits. Oolong also contains something called Polyphenols, which “have the ability to remove free radicals.” Free radicals can be linked to skin aging and dark spots, interfering with the immune system and are connected with cancer cells as well.
Oolong is also known to increase enzyme functioning that, in some cases, can be connected to increased metabolic rate and the breakup of triglycerides, also known as fatty deposits. The caffeine present in the Oolong tea is also known to “stimulate the frontal cortex of the brain,” which increases memory function (perhaps so you can remember which tea to buy when you run out!). Your teeth and mouth will appreciate your choosing Oolong as well because it has been shown to reduce tooth decay and decrease the time it takes your mouth to heal because of the tannins in the tea.
With all of the studies done to reveal the multitude of benefits that this tea has to offer, one thing is clear: You’ve waited too long to get some Oolong.
Posted by Ross at 6:00 am | Comments (4)
