Thanks to My Song Lyrics Book for the image

A vegetarian from birth, Joss Stone has never tasted a piece of meat. Tea however, is another story. As we’ve mentioned before, Stone drinks a super-spicy tea concoction to soothe her voice after a show, but tea plays a much larger role in her diet. The talented 21-year-old soul singer also drinks tea before she hits the stage.  “They say singers shouldn’t drink milk and to be careful with dairy. But I drink tea with milk in it all the way up until I perform.”

And that spicy tea she drinks, well she brings it right onto the stage with her!  It’s a peppermint tea with cayenne pepper, honey and lemon, and Stone swears by it. “I can easily be sick — there’s not much sleep on tour, and there’s lots of travel — but since I found this tea last year, I’ve been well.”

Want to try Stone’s tea for yourself?  It may not launch you into super singing stardom, but it’s worth a shot!  Make it at home with some of Bigelow Tea’s delicious Peppermint Herbal tea, and then add your own honey, lemon and cayenne pepper (if you can handle it!)

It only took a few cups of steaming hot Bigelow tea to bring together three of America’s finest — Joe Torre, Phil Simms and Terry Francona — in a recent video shoot with Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea. Cindi talked tea with the sporting icons, who unanimously agreed (tongue in cheek) that Bigelow is the only company to get the Red Sox and Yankees sitting and smiling together at the same table!

NFL legend Phil Simms, former NY Giants quarterback and sportscaster for CBS, confirmed that he drinks at least four cups of Bigelow tea per day while Terry Francona, Manager for the Boston Red Sox, is an enthusiastic fan of Bigelow’s Green Tea with Pomegranate.

For the family and employees of Bigelow, tea is not just a business; it’s a passion. Joe Torre, LA Dodgers Manager and Bigelow loyalist, told Cindi: “As soon as I found out how good green tea was for me, Bigelow was easy to love. Going up to Connecticut, meeting your parents, it was like being in somebody’s home. That means a lot when you’re talking about using a product like Bigelow Tea…they’re the people who basically invented it…if you knew how passionate they were, it helps.”

And that says it all.

March is National Women’s History Month, a distinctive time for celebrating the women who have achieved so much, but perhaps more importantly an opportunity to savor and reflect on their gifts and lives. No one understands “savor and reflection” like Bigelow Tea, and what better way to move beyond the facts and connect with people than with tea and conversation. We know that there is a grand history of women’s achievement through the centuries: from Anne Bradstreet, the first published American author in 1650, to Eileen Collins, the first commander of a space shuttle 350 years later. But facts alone don’t tell the story, so National Women’s History Month is an opportunity to move beyond facts and figures, and reflect on the bonds within ourselves to these notable women and their lives.

Ms. Ruth Campbell Bigelow

We at Bigelow Tea have many women to thank. Of course, every time you sit down with a cup of our tea, remember that Ms. Ruth Campbell Bigelow started the company over 60 years ago. Her love of tea (and appreciation of the history of women in Colonial America) helped her create Constant Comment, and the rest, as they say, is history. A delicious history indeed. Being the son of such a visionary woman was a privilege for David C. Bigelow, and he wrote about it in his recently published book My Mother Loved Tea. And with upholding connections to the past, Cindi Bigelow, daughter of David C. Bigelow and granddaughter of Ms. Ruth Campbell Bigelow, is President of Bigelow Tea. An extremely hands-on and genuine President, Cindi has brought something intrinsically female to her position as she boosts appreciation for Bigelow Tea. A salute to all, in recognizing National Women’s History Month.

Cindi Bigelow

Just came back from a trade show in California, and I thank my lucky stars for this little business called Bigelow Tea.  I talked with so many small businesses that are struggling to survive.  They were already hand to mouth, but now with banks making it tougher to lend money, they just can’t make it happen.

I came back to Bigelow and appreciated more than ever what my grandmother created.  Tomorrow I am doing a “state of affairs” for the corporate employees and can’t wait to emphasize how fortunate we are.  To be in a business of providing a reasonably priced product that can offer the consumer some comfort in today’s tough times… that is good!  We are lucky and we need to never forget that…

Cindi Bigelow
President

Joe Torre, Phil Simms and Terry Francona Talk Tea with Cindi Bigelow

Fairfield, CT, March 24, 2009 – It only took a few cups of steaming hot Bigelow tea to bring together three of America’s finest – Joe Torre, Phil Simms and Terry Francona – in a recent video shoot with Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea (www.bigelowtea.com). Cindi talked tea with the sporting icons, who unanimously agreed (tongue in cheek) that Bigelow is the only company to get the Red Sox and Yankees sitting and smiling together at the same table!

NFL legend Phil Simms, former NY Giants quarterback and sportscaster for CBS, confirmed that he drinks at least four cups of Bigelow tea per day while Terry Francona, Manager for the Boston Red Sox, is an enthusiastic fan of Bigelow’s Green Tea with Pomegranate.

For the family and employees of Bigelow, tea is not just a business; it’s a passion. Joe Torre, LA Dodgers Manager and Bigelow loyalist, told Cindi: “As soon as I found out how good green tea was for me, Bigelow was easy to love. Going up to Connecticut, meeting your parents, it was like being in somebody’s home. That means a lot when you’re talking about using a product like Bigelow Tea…they’re the people who basically invented it…if you knew how passionate they were, it helps.”

And that says it all.

For more Bigelow banter, watch the Tea-V channel video here.

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
866.475.5191 x 706
jdolan@creative-conceptsllc.com

Bigelow Tea is a third-generation company that has consistently focused on sustainability as a way to diminish our impact on the environment.  Our plans revolve around total maximization of resources while still concentrating on providing a terrific product.

One of the facets of our plan involves large-scale optimization of paper goods.  Nearly every piece of packaging, from the shipping carton to the tea bag itself, requires the use of paper.  We saw this issue, and sought to get the most out of every piece of pulp we use.  Our paper filter bag is made with paper from entirely sustainable tree systems that are closely monitored by government agencies to prevent abuse.  The outer cases are completely recyclable and biodegradable, and can be reused 6 times.  We even made sure that the suppliers of our cartons subscribed to certain strict government standards and used certain trees in producing the product that we then buy from them.  This supplier recycles over 60,000 tons of paper annually.

All in all, 85% of our packaging is biodegradable and recyclable.  This is important, especially when you consider that almost 1/3 of the waste generated [in] the U.S. is packaging, and that U.S. businesses now use about 21 million tons of paper every year. That’s about 175 pounds of paper for each American.

According to Wikipedia, it is estimated that by 2020 paper mills will produce almost 500,000,000 tons of paper and paperboard per year, so it is important that we remain diligent about our recycling policies and become an example for other companies to follow.

Still working on those New Year’s Resolutions? With the first quarter coming to an end, don’t give up just yet — help is on the way, and is right there in your tea cup. We know that catechins, the major component of green tea extract, has several positive physiologic effects on the body. A new study however, shows that these antioxidant compounds from green tea also help promote fat loss. Green tea is a rich source of catechins, (a sub-class of flavonoids), long known for their antioxidant activity. Antioxidant properties play a beneficial role in our health — but this new study from the American Society of Nutrition underscores that tea catechins may help actually promote weight loss.

Published in The Journal of Nutrition, it was found that consuming green tea catechins (625mg/d) may enhance the exercise-induced loss of abdominal fat, and improve your triglyceride levels. An exercise routine in your weight loss/maintenance program is important, and the properties of green tea play an important role. In another study from Federal University of Santa Catarina, resistance training and weight-lifting increased the production of free radicals — sometimes beyond the body’s antioxidant defense capacity — causing oxidative stress. Results from the study suggest that tea offered significant protection against this oxidative damage, providing benefits before and after exercise.

The affirmative health properties of tea continue to make news, and predictions are that the US market for tea will double over the next five years with the growing interest in wellness. There are many new green tea flavored products on the market too, (including green colored, green tea-flavored Kit Kat candy bars, recently launched in Japan). But THAT won’t help with weight management, so best to just enjoy your daily tea routine and let that work for you, and those 2009 resolutions!

“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball… I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
—Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis Cardinals

Life-long Pittsburgh Pirates fans and baseball enthusiasts greet spring training with conflicting emotions: sweet and sour. The Pirates, whose record has been negligible since the early 90’s, have actually had a good start to their Grapefruit League season. There’s always a sense of optimism that accompanies teams in the spring with the return of Major League Baseball.

As mentioned in this post, this will be the first season the Dodgers will not hold spring training in Vero Beach Florida.

Vero Beach Dodgers logo compliments of Wikipedia

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre played for the St. Louis Cardinals during the prime of his major league career. While his numbers do not quite match those of two-time Triple Crown winner, Hall of Fame Cardinals outfielder Rogers Hornsby, Torre was no slouch; he was a nine-time All-Star, and won the National League MVP in 1971, the year the Cardinals finished second in the NL East to the eventual World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. And of course, Joe is a great fan, and friend of Bigelow Tea!

Now Torre manages the Dodgers, who have recently re-signed run-producing outfielder, Many Ramirez. Ramirez’s former team, the Boston Red Sox, are led by another great Bigelow Tea drinker, Manager Terry Francona. Come October it would come as no surprise to see a Red Sox-Dodgers World Series. It’s doubtful that the opposing players would get together for a cup of Bigelow Green Tea during this hypothetical match up, but their managers might.

Phil Simms (former quarterback for the NY Giants and TV sportscaster for CBS), Cindi Bigelow (President Bigelow Tea), Terry Francona (manager Boston Red Sox), Bob Kelly (SVP Bigelow Tea) and Joe Torre (manager LA Dodgers)

Thanks to About This Particular Macintosh for the Image

Little signs of spring are popping up everywhere. You can see it in the tiny buds on the trees, hear it in the birds chirping and smell it in the fresh cut grass. As the ground thaws, our longing to be outdoors reemerges. Like a New Year’s full of resolutions, the first day of spring brings with it a sense of possibility.

One great way to step into spring is with an old-fashioned tea party! Need a tea set?  Bring in the bright colors of spring with our Pinwheel Pink Teapot and mugs! For a menu idea, try one of our light and delicious recipes like turkey, watercress and cranberry sandwiches:

Turkey, Watercress and Cranberry Sandwiches

Ingredients:
Butter (optional)
12 slices pumpernickel or other favorite bread
1 bunch watercress
¾ pound sliced cooked turkey
Cranberry sauce, prepared or homemade

Yield: Makes 24 sandwiches.

Instructions:

Turkey, Watercress and Cranberry Sandwiches Butter bread, if desired. On each of the 6 slices of bread, arrange watercress and turkey. Spread with cranberry sauce. Close sandwiches with remaining bread. Cut into quarters.

However you choose to embrace the season, be sure to go outside, take a deep breath and appreciate the budding green surroundings. Happy spring!

Image provided by the City of South Gate, California

Bigelow Tea helps celebrate both spring and the flowery arts with a special participating booth and activities at the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival, held in the city of South Gate, California on March 20th and 21st. The delight that comes from a great cup of Bigelow tea fits right in with the City of South Gate, who has sponsored this dazzling Azalea Flowers Festival since 1966. It has become the City’s annual celebration of the springtime blooming of its official flower, the Azalea. Bigelow Tea is proud to participate in this 45th Annual Azalea Festival, which expects up to 20,000 participants for both days.

Image compliments the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival

Azaleas are called “the royalty of the garden” by flower lovers; and the many thousands of named varieties can thrive in several growing conditions across the United States. Bigelow Tea (also know as Royalty to tea lovers everywhere!) knows something about growing too — and so it’s a natural fit for Bigelow Tea at the Azalea Flowers Festival. And lucky visitors who stop by our Bigelow Tea hospitality booth will enjoy selected samples.

Image compliments the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival

Festival participants will also have a flurry of activities to choose from, including a golf tournament, car show and talent search. But perhaps best of all will be our Bigelow Tea product samples…hot samples of Bigelow Green Tea or Cozy Chamomile, and the warm-weather-is-here Chamomile Mango will be served up for visitors at the famous two day Azalea festival. We will also hand out 2-teabag samplers, and coupon for more great tea products. Beautiful Azaleas, exceptional Bigelow Tea samples, and that warm Southern California sun team up for a great “first week-end of spring” event!