What better way to keep your tea warm than with a charming personality-laden tea cozy? The tea cozy (or cosy) may be a common every day object, but it comes from Nobel origins, introduced to Great Britain in the 1660′s to the court of King Charles II. Its use came about to keep tea hot of course, but by the middle of the 19th century it became more popular along with English Tea Time. Tea time was becoming a more elaborate and lengthy event with extensive socializing and visitors, and the tea would tend to get cold. The tea cozy became a useful tool to keep the tea pot hot, extending tea time.

Drawing by David Borzo

Tea cozies started in North America shortly after, and in fact newspapers of the time reveal that tea cozies enjoyed “a sudden and unexpected rise in public favor” among women who hosted tea parties. Newspapers of the time included advice columns on how to make a tea cozy. Today there are dozens of web sites where you can check out cozies, or sites to get free patterns to make your own.

Can you believe that even the tea cozy has controversy? Well, there are two schools of thought on when to use it properly — some people will steep their tea with the tea cozy on…others say that the tea becomes too baked this way, preferring to make their tea, and then use the cozy. Either way, the tea cozy proves a stylish and efficient way to keep your pot warm, extending that “Sunday-morning feeling” so you can enjoy your tea at leisure. So the tea cozy really helps extend that cozy feeling that a great cup of hot tea brings.

“Cozy” up with a warm cup of tea and take time for yourself during the holidays. Hear Cindi Bigelow’s advice here.

Christmas is almost here…the economic conditions are not looking fabulous. Now more than ever I want to make sure I am doing the best job possible for this company. I have always been so proud of each one of our teas, as if every one is like delivering a new child, but now more than ever, it is about the employees.

I hear so much about companies, large and small, that have to let go people or worse, close down completely. I have always been highly motivated to exceed everyone’s expectations (anyone close to me here can attest I am like a large bolt of energy that comes into the office every day), and in this economy, I am no different. My family has always cared about the employees (I call them our shareholders) but it means even more today.

I am THRILLED our company is selling lots of tea, has all kinds of new ones on the way and other neat “projects” in the hopper. I went to a seminar the other day where they asked me “what do we do within Bigelow Tea to survive these challenging times”…my answer? Planning and a clear direction that began 10 years ago. Fortunate for us after 63 years we are in a very strong position….I am going to darn well make sure we keep it that way. Time for a cup of “Constant Comment.”

Cindi Bigelow

Hibiscus has been used for a long time by many different cultures for various reasons. According to Wikipedia, “Hibiscus, especially white hibiscus, is considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Roots make various concoctions believed to cure various ailments” and has been used by the Mexicans for people “with kidney problems [; they] often take it without adding sugar for its beneficial properties and as a natural diuretic.” Natives from Okinawa are known to associate hibiscus tea with longevity and the hibiscus flower is used in nearly all traditional dances in Hawaii.

Beyond simply having a pleasant flavor, teas with added hibiscus can offer a vast array of health benefits. When hibiscus is grouped together with other ingredients blended into the tea itself, it creates a concoction that is beneficial on various different levels, all of them delicious and good for you. For example, green tea has been known to have an incredible array of health benefits as well as black tea. The blending of two or more of these ingredients only serves to make that cup in your hand that much more important.

Bigelow offers many different teas with hibiscus added. Can you guess which ones they are?

Cinnamon Apple Herbal Tea — which is a great choice for the holidays — All Natural Organic Moroccan Mint, and Organic Green Tea with Pomegranate are just a few.

For more answers to this frequently asked question: Which Bigelow herbal teas include hibiscus? go here.

Photo Courtesy of both hands

It may be surprising to hear that the TV series Wonder Woman lasted for only three seasons. Best known for her title role in the series, Lynda Carter has made her mark in American TV history as a strong female icon. Most recently she was seen on stage at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. After a 20 year absence she has returned to the stage. Now 57, Carter is still in terrific shape, perhaps partially because of all the “plain tea” she’s been sipping. With the holidays upon us, staying in shape ala Wonder Woman can be tricky. Recipes like Green Tea Fruit Medley Smoothie are a great way to curb your appetite in a healthy way!

Let us help. Who could resist?

Christmas Card Cookies and Tea

OR…

What Santa Likes Holiday Bucket

OR…

Santa’s Holiday Tote

OR…

Frosty’s Bucket

We have even more gift baskets and other gift ideas in our holiday catalog. With shopping made this easy, we hope you’ll have extra time for yourself and your favorite cup of tea!

How can you resist? 106.7 Lite fm is sponsoring a free skate in New York City’s Wollman Rink in Central Park this weekend, December 13th and 14th. The fortunate first 1,000 listeners will be treated to free admission and free skate rentals each day. Lite fm’s DJs will entertain the crowd throughout the event with music, contests and prize give-aways…

And if that’s not enough, Bigelow Tea will be there as the “Official Tea” of the Free Skate New York. Come get your Bigelow Tea samples, and if you’re super lucky, you could go home with a Bigelow Tea Chest as well! For more, listen to Cindi Bigelow here.

Yes, it is cold outside…that is very good. I can hear the kettles starting to buzz all around the country. Today I am sipping on one of our new organic teas, Rooibus kissed with sweet Asian pear. It is delightful and to me having a warm cup of tea is what makes winter truly winter! I love the snow; I love the cold and I love to hear the kettle start to whistle….I am looking forward to a great season….cheers

Cindi Bigelow

You may enjoy tea, but do you enjoy riddles without answers?

We’ve taken time to note literary works about tea, Bigelow Tea’s impressive performance in the United Way Book Drive, and have given mention to those who enjoy a book and a good cup of tea. There are also many wonderful works of fiction which rely on tea time as a literary device.

One piece of fiction which may come to mind is, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. While his work falls under the genre of “literary nonsense”, it makes perfect sense that Alice happens upon a tea party during her adventures.

It is always six o’clock at the home of the March Hare, and therefore perpetually time for High Tea. In the 1800’s, when Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published, High Tea was not considered a mid-afternoon meal for socialites, but a full dinner for the common people.

The Mad Hatter, a common citizen of Wonderland, was sentenced to death by the Queen of Hearts for “murdering time” (a fate he narrowly escaped) after performing in her honor. Due to his malady, he concludes time has literally been murdered, trapping him and his companions in an endless, six o’clock tea party.

“What about that riddle?”

“Why is a Raven like a writing desk?” said the Hatter to Alice.

This question and many other inane inquiries add to the atmosphere of the most brilliantly absurd tea party ever portrayed in British literature. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has been interpreted by film makers since the silent film era, and a few clips of the Mad Tea Party can be found here, here, and here.

A little over a year ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of quick-working surgeons and a wonderful oncologist, she was able to have a lumpectomy 30 days after her original diagnosis and began her chemotherapy a few days before Christmas.

My mother is a very intelligent and strong woman. She knew that she was heading into some tougher times, but she knew those times would be dealt with much easier if she had the proper tools. Her massive support system was a huge aid, but she also found some helpful hints in A Dietitian’s Cancer Story. She had done a ton of reading, and had listened carefully to her oncologist regarding her diet and some things that she could do to keep her immune system strong and energy levels high. As it is constantly mentioned on this site, green tea is incredible (it’s even better when accompanied by a great antioxidant). The book seconded this and gave her a great recipe for a green tea shake, which she tried and loved. Throughout her chemotherapy, she drank a lot of tea to help boost her immune system. I can personally attest to the fact that it worked wonders.

After her chemotherapy, she had to go through radiation treatments. These treatments are notorious for draining your energy and producing a lot of fatigue if you don’t preemptively strike against that. Her doctor told her that ginseng works wonders for people going through radiation treatment. My mother took ginseng pills and drank ginseng tea a few times a week in an effort to counteract the fatigue she would get from her daily treatments. Very rarely did she ever experience any drop in energy due to her treatments and she was able to easily maintain her happy demeanor.

Overall, a combination of great doctors, great attitude, and a great diet helped her go through the invasive stage of her treatment fairly easy. She went into it scared, but very prepared and ready to take whatever came at her head on. Now that she has moved on past the extreme treatments and into the less invasive, she still continues her healthy diet and drinks a lot of tea to continue to boost her immune system as the cold season bears down on us. It also helps to have a son who writes for a tea blog and provides her with the wealth of knowledge this place has to offer.

Ross Hammond, Bigelow Tea supporter and blog writer

Photo by Startracks. Courtesy of People Celebrity Baby Blog

Melora Hardin, known for her role as Jan in the hilarious hit comedy The Office, and her daughters were all turned out for the Little Mommy Tea Party in Los Angeles. Daughters Rory Melora, 6 ½, and Piper Quincy, 3 are a glow with their baby dolls as shown in the above photo from Celebrity Baby Blog by People. Dad is actor Gildart Jackson.

To learn more about what Melora Hardin is up to, in addition to filming the 5th season of The Office, and including Public Service Announcements for Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), go here. Interestingly, epilepsy and tea have more in common than Melora Hardin as there is also a National Tea Break sponsored by Epilepsy Action in the UK.

Listen here as Cindi Bigelow, President, speaks to family and tea.