31st December, 2008: The Skinny On: Tea
For many, the new year is a time for getting in shape. For over 40 years, Weight Watchers has been helping people get active and lose weight in a healthy way. Recently, it seems that they too have taken an interest in tea and its many benefits. In one section of their site, “The Skinny On…”, they offer some wonderful information about tea.
For starters, it helps to know the basic differences between tea. There are true teas like white and green, coming from the same ‘Camellia Sinensis’ plant, and herbal teas like chamomile, which is an infusion of herbs and tea in hot water. Of course, the possible health benefits of tea are in there as well. Oolong tea has been all the rage lately and has been linked to longevity, and in keeping with the goal of Weight Watchers, green tea has been linked to weight loss.
Another benefit of tea is that it has about half the caffeine as a cup of coffee, so it won’t keep you up at night. However, for some people, any caffeine at all is too much. Check out this great video by Cindi Bigelow, President, on how to decaffeinate your own tea:
The many possible benefits of tea are constantly being discovered. For even more potential New Year Tea-lutions, click here!
Posted by Linda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
30th December, 2008: What are your favorite holiday Bigelow Teas?
Reflecting back and looking forward…a very common occurrence this week. While doing so, contemplate what Bigelow teas you enjoyed over the holidays this year and let us know. Perhaps it was Eggnogg’n® Tea?
Or Ginger Snappish™ like this blogger, Mostly Risible?
Maybe you’re sipping one now? We want to hear from you!
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
29th December, 2008: Rachael Ray Drinks Oolong and Thinks You Should, Too!
It should come as no surprise that Rachael Ray may lose her voice from time to time. After all, the recently turned 40-year-old celebrity has her own talk show. After a doctor’s visit she learned that she had damaged her vocal cords. What’s her cure? In addition to some other treatments, “she has been…downing herbal tea”.
Photo Courtesy of Usmagazine.com
However that’s not the only reason she drinks tea. She has used her talk show as a platform to rave about new research linking oolong tea to weight loss. She admitted to drinking oolong everyday in a successful effort to shed some pounds. According to the Journal of Nutrition, a study performed showed that “oolong tea stimulated energy expenditure and fat oxidation”. They do however note that these results were based on the chronic consumption of tea and a normal diet. Oolong tea has even been associated with possibly increasing longevity. Want to try for yourself? Get your own oolong today!
Posted by Linda at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
26th December, 2008: Glad to be Back thanks to Bigelow Tea!
Okay I think for the first time I might be over “tead”….is that a word? I picked up a lovely virus last week and trying to cure it myself starting drinking 6 to 8 cups of tea a day. You name it, I was drinking it (of course of Bigelow Tea only)…herbal, green, black, sometimes two bags in one cup, combos you can’t even dream of. Did it make feel me better? Sure…it still took me several days before I was finally myself but 50 cups in 6 days is even too much for me.
I am delighted to now be back and following my normal ritual of just 3 cups a day! One thing I can say, I drank flavors of ours I had forgotten even existed! Wow, glad to be back!
Cindi Bigelow
President
Posted by Cindi at 11:14 am | Comment (0)
26th December, 2008: Historical Tea, conquering the Colonies
Just as archaeologists divide history into different periods based on the use of different materials — the stone age, the iron age, etc — you can also look at history as periods dominated by six different beverages: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, cola, and tea. All have been the defining drink during a pivotal historical period. And so it was in the American Colonies that the history of tea was key to their relationship with Great Britain, factoring into social, political and financial issues, even the development of fine art.
The practice of tea drinking arrived with colonists from both England and the Netherlands, and Dutchman Peter Stuyvesant is said to have introduced the first tea to the settlement of New Amsterdam (later re-named “New York”). Colonial settlers were confirmed tea drinkers, and in fact, Ruth Campbell Bigelow created the landmark Bigelow Tea Blend Constant Comment based on what she had learned of the practice in Colonial Times.
When tea was fully established as Britain’s national drink, maintaining the lucrative Tea trade helped drive British foreign policy. Tea production and commerce was a big part of the Empire, and ironically it contributed to the independence of the United States. Tea importation and taxation policy became an argument for independence as the British government imposed a series of taxes and restrictions on tea. Outraged Colonists took to smuggling tea and resisting the British taxes. When Parliament finally passed the Tea Act in 1773, creating a monopoly on all tea imported to the Americas, the Colonists were driven to the boiling point, and responded with the famous Boston Tea Party. A terrible waste of tea, true, but an important flashpoint in the ultimate independence of the colonies from Great Britain.
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25th December, 2008: Merry Christmas
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24th December, 2008: Last Call…for Tea
Not only does tea improve concentration, counteract chronic dry mouth, and counteract symptoms associated with a myriad of far more serious health problems facing individuals, a few London pubs have turned to tea to help calm the masses at closing time.
Bars in London will give away free tea to help subdue patrons at last call, and “stagger the closing time surge for cabs home.” Herbal tea is known for its calming effects, and the addition of tea to one’s diet can help with head and stomach aches. Perhaps the late night pub-goers would benefit from a cup or two in the morning as well, especially after all the holiday parties.
Posted by Ben at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
23rd December, 2008: Enjoy the Simple Things this Holiday.
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22nd December, 2008: Celebrate The Holidays With Bigelow Tea
Fairfield, CT, December 22nd, 2008 - Bigelow Tea, a family-owned business dedicated to providing customers with specialty teas for over 60 years, offers its 2008 Holiday Gift Collection, found at www.bigelowtea.com. Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, ’tis the season to treat family and friends to some of the many teas, savory delights and gifts found in this year’s Holiday catalog.
The holidays are all about giving. Bigelow Tea offers a wide selection of fun gifts to choose from, like Frosty’s Bucket, a festive metal bucket filled with an assortment of cookies and holiday teas and Christmas Card Cookies and Tea, a colorful tin box containing six Christmas-themed shortbread cookies, a confectionery ink marker with labels for adding personalized messages, plus a box of Constant Comment® teas. They make the perfect hostess gifts to bring when visiting friends and family over the holiday season.
Of course, one must never forget Santa. Santa’s favorite treats have been lovingly packaged in What Santa Likes, a decorative bucket filled with an assortment of cookies, raspberry drops, candy sticks and seasonal teas or Santa’s Holiday Tote, a red Santa suit tote bag overflowing with cookies, snack mix and holiday teas. A full collection of gifts can be found in Bigelow’s 2008 Holiday online catalog here.
“We are proud to provide our customers with a selection of creative and festive tea gifts for the holidays,” says Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea. “We value their loyalty and, from our home to theirs, we wish them a happy holiday season!”
About Bigelow Tea Company
100% family owned Fairfield, Connecticut-based Bigelow Tea pioneered the specialty tea category more than 60 years ago. Bigelow takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s leading specialty tea company. The Bigelow Tea line includes more than 80 varieties of flavored, traditional, green, organic, herbal, decaffeinated teas and iced teas- including America’s number one specialty tea flavor, “Constant Comment®”. Also, enjoy the Charleston Tea Plantation located on Wadmalaw Island just south of Charleston, South Carolina which is owned and operated by Bigelow Tea and produces American Classic Tea and products.
Bigelow Tea products are available nationwide and every variety can be found on the company website (www.bigelowtea.com). Tea lovers will also enjoy the company’s blog (www.bigelowteablog.com).
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PRESS CONTACT INFO:
Elizabeth April-Fritz
Bigelow Tea
203-334-1212
eafritz@rcbigelow.com
Julie Dolan
Creative Concepts
203.259.4202
jdolan@creative-conceptsllc.com
Posted by Elizabeth at 10:29 am | Comment (0)
22nd December, 2008: Robert DeNiro’s Nobu Hotel Complete with Green Tea
The New York Post reported that Oscar-winning Robert De Niro, Raging Bull star, is expanding his real estate holdings. DeNiro, who already owns several restaurants and hotels, plans to open a Japanese-themed condo-hotel complex in New York’s Financial District. His Nobu Hotel will offer condos as well as hotel rooms, a spa, and of course, a signature Nobu restaurant.
Photo courtesy of robertdeniro.eblogus.com
The hotel will have amenities such as minibars with green tea and sake, as well as room service from its trendy, popular restaurant chain. Now that sounds like a delightful way to spend a holiday!
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
