The first full week of May is recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition celebrated now for 30 years. During this week, May 4 through May 12 in 2013, events are held in cities nationwide, celebrating the power and excitement of traveling. Bigelow Tea loves the opportunity to travel because there are so many fascinating places to explore, especially right here in the U.S. of A.

One of the best things about travel is that it contributes to our national economy; the travel and tourism industry supports millions of US jobs—in fact one out of every eight jobs in the U.S. depends on the industry! This adds up to $2.0 trillion, making a major economic impact in nearly every state. We all contribute to those numbers, whether we’re constant travelers or “Staycation” tourists.

When it comes to traveling and enjoying this beautiful country, Bigelow Tea is pleased to remind you that our very own Charleston Tea Plantation is a premier destination for the savvy traveler, and for so many great reasons. Located on the beautiful Wadmalaw Island near Charleston, South Carolina,  the Charleston Tea Plantation is the cherished home of our American Classic Teas as well as the First Flush Festival, which was named one of the top-100 events in the US! And we’re also proud to point out that the city of Charleston itself was recently named a top city in the world destination!

And of course when you do travel, Bigelow Tea is happy to come along in a Tea Wallet or your bag! Remember that wherever you are, if going out for tea isn’t an option, Bigelow Tea is portable and always convenient, perfect to take along with you. Enjoy your tea-time, anytime! What could be better?

Logo Graphic via ustravel.org

Still trying to figure out Mother’s Day plans? Bigelow Tea has last-minute advice on making Sunday, May 12th quite memorable. First, be sure to pick a gift that shows thoughtfulness and taste. Our dark brown Wicker Teacup and Saucer basket ($25.95) holds a mix of 13 different tea varieties—from Chinese Oolong to Vanilla Caramel—and gives Mom a total of 104 tea bags to choose from. She can refill it later on with more tea, a plant or anything else!

For a mom on the go, how about our brand new “Find Your Balance” hoodie? Luxuriously soft with a flattering shape, this hoodie will accompany Mom to the spa, on errands or on any casual day at home. Best of all, it has a tiny pocket on the front that’s just big enough for a key or your favorite Bigelow Tea bag!

Don’t stop there! Surprise her with another delight: a delicious treat everyone has a hand in making. Cook up family-friendly recipes like our Pomegranate Yogurt Dip and Fresh Fruit or Chewy Chocolate Mint Brownies. Happy Mother’s Day … and enjoy your time together as a family!

Pomegranate Yogurt Dip and Fresh Fruit

Ingredients:

1 cup (250mL) plain yogurt (non-fat yogurt not recommended)
¼ cup (60mL) boiling water
4 Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz® Herb Tea Bags
3 tablespoons (45mL) powdered sugar
Chopped dried cranberries for garnish (optional)

Prep time: 10 minutes – Cook Time: 10 minutes.

Yield: Serves 4

Instructions:

Pour boiling water over Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz® Herb tea bags. Let stand for 10 minutes. Mix yogurt and powdered sugar. Add 4 tablespoons (60mL) tea mixture and stir well. Place in an attractive bowl and garnish with cranberries (if desired). Place a variety of fruit such as pineapple, kiwi, mango, papaya and bananas around the dip

Chewy Chocolate Mint Brownies

Ingredients:

5 Bigelow® Plantation Mint Tea Bags (or Bigelow Mint Medley® Herb Tea Bags)
½ cup water
1 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
9×13 inch baking pan, greased and floured

Yield: One 9″ x 13″ pan

Instructions:

These chewy brownies are packed with intense chocolate and mint flavor, thanks to Bigelow® Plantation Mint Tea. If you prefer a caffeine-free tea alternative, substitute the same amount of Bigelow Mint Medley® Herb Tea.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set the rack on the middle setting.

Place tea bags in ½ cup of hot water. Set aside to cool, and then remove tea bags, squeezing out liquid from bags.

Meanwhile, place 1-¼ cups of the chocolate chips and butter in a metal bowl. Set over a saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water, to create a double-boiler. Heat on low and let chocolate and butter melt, stirring frequently.

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together eggs and sugars until well blended. Add the cooled tea mixture and whisk to combine. Add a few tablespoons of the melted chocolate/butter combination to the egg mixture and stir to combine. Add the remaining chocolate and incorporate. Lastly, add the flour and remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips, mixing until smooth.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake approximately 25 minutes. Center will feel firm but still moist. Bake 5-10 minutes longer for a drier brownie. Place pan on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into 20 squares.

Yield:  24 Servings

Odds are you remember your favorite teacher … his or her name, what grade you were in, what was special about that person. We at Bigelow Tea know how one great teacher can make all the difference in a world of learning. During this first full week in May, for Teacher Appreciation Week, we’d like to take the time out to honor all teachers who try to make a difference in every student’s life. Inspirational, devoted, and always striving for the best for each scholar, the teachers in our lives are a cornerstone of our education and our thirst for knowledge.

So how do we show our appreciation for those who go that extra mile for us, push us to do our best, and help us discover our hidden talents?  We give them a moment to themselves and time to relax of course—and what better way to do that than with our Chai Personali-Tea Basket. It contains the perfect assortment of Chai tea flavors, some fabulous chocolate covered graham crackers, and the cutest personali-tea mug that reads “smart, thoughtful, and full of spice.” That fits some of our past teachers to a Tea!

Another gift that will help our teachers unwind is our Charleston Tea Plantation Green Tea Candle Tin. What a nice way to help them relax their minds and spirits at the end of any long day at school. The vision is clear to us … a lovely cup of Bigelow tea, a scented candle and a favorite book. It’s the perfect combination for any educator!

We know the job of being a teacher is no easy task. But we also have learned that a wonderful cup of Bigelow Tea and a moment to relax can make the job just a tiny bit easier.

Image by woodleywonderworks via Flickr.com

It’s never too early to start planning a party … especially one for Mom! Yes, Mother’s Day is coming soon, and Bigelow Tea wants to help you make it a great day for the mothers in your life.

Starting the day with a decadent brunch is one way to go, and we’ve got a recipe (below) for Vanilla & Cinnamon Baked Challah French Toast—featuring our Cinnamon Stick and French Vanilla teas!—that is unbelievably tastyand easy for the other family members to put together. No, Mom, you’re not allowed in the kitchen today!

After breakfast, pamper Mom with a few thoughtful cards and gifts. Handmade items from young children will turn into treasured keepsakes, and a tin full of Bigelow Tea will keep her heart warm for months! Our I Love Mom Tin of Tea (pictured at top) filled with 128 tea bags is a great way to go!

So don’t wait till the last minute; start preparing for your Mother’s Day extravaganza now. With a little advance planning, the day will go off without a hitch! By the end of the day, she’ll be sipping her favorite Bigelow Tea and thinking about just how lucky she is!

Vanilla & Cinnamon Baked Challah French Toast

Ingredients:

12 slices of Challah bread, cut in half on the diagonal
½ cup of hot water
3 Bigelow® Cinnamon Stick Tea Bags and 2 Bigelow® French Vanilla Tea Bags

6 eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 – 8 oz package cream cheese, cut into small cubes
Non-stick cooking spray (preferably plain or butter flavor)

Yield: Serves 6-8

Instructions:

This do-ahead dish makes a perfect breakfast for overnight guests. It can be completely assembled the night before, and will bake while you’re brewing the morning tea. Serve with a fresh fruit salad for a delicious start to your day.

Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Steep 5 tea bags in ½ cup of water for 5 minutes, and allow to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and salt. Add cooled tea and whisk to combine.

Arrange a layer of Challah bread in the prepared baking dish, and evenly distribute half of the cream cheese cubes on top.

Add a second layer of Challah bread, and slowly pour egg mixture over the top, allowing it to completely soak all the bread.

Top with remaining cream cheese cubes, cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2 hours).

The next morning, remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the dish is completely set and lightly browned.

Cut into squares and serve with maple syrup if desired.

It seems that time is forever in short supply. Whether we’re at home or the office, there’s always a list awaiting our attention. Spring, in particular, feels like a season for industry: yard work, cleaning … not to mention all those projects we seemed to have put off during the long winter. Fortunately, Bigelow Tea is here to help make this busy season more bearable!

While we can’t give our friends and loved ones more hours in their days, we can help them optimize the time they have with the gift of a refreshing break courtesy of The Herb Tea Basket from Bigelow Tea. Inside this pretty basket you’ll find 72 individually wrapped bags of naturally decaffeinated Bigelow Herb Tea. Whoever receives this gift will relax and renew, cup after delicious cup. They’ll mellow their mood with Cozy Chamomile, get a fresh outlook with Mint Medley, and wake up their taste buds with the citrusy pop of I Love Lemon.

To sweeten the moment, the basket also includes a jar of Savannah Bee Tea Honey, two clover tea spoons and Moravian lemon zest cookies.  There’s also a charming pot adorned with bees—insects known not only for their honey, but also as symbols of hard work and diligence. It’s a fitting reminder that even the busiest bee is more productive after a well-deserved break.

Interestingly, it turns out that our culture of busy-ness may actually run counter to accomplishing our goals. Slowing down and taking regular breaks is a great way to press the restart button on our brains and work more efficiently. In that case, we think that today is the perfect day for a tea break featuring The Herb Tea Basket from Bigelow Tea!

The Easter season is in full bloom with family gatherings, special foods and the joys of spring. Here at Bigelow Tea, we are so ready for sunny days and tulips in the garden–enjoyed while sipping tea, of course! With that in mind, we’re delighted to share a few of our favorite spring-inspired recipes (below) to grace your Easter buffet or party table, as well as a lovely gift basket that any tea lover would appreciate. With 40 individually wrapped tea bags in five flavors, sugar cookies and a brightly decorated mug, our Floribunda Basket pictured below makes an ideal hostess gift! Enjoy!

Orange & Spice Pureed Carrot

Ingredients:

2 pounds (1kg) carrots, peeled and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
12  Bigelow Orange & Spice Herb Tea Bags*
½ cup (125mL) milk
2 tablespoons (30mL) butter, melted
Ground pepper and salt to taste
5 shallots, peeled
1 ½ cups (375mL) vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (45mL) butter

Yield: Serves 6

*Variations: Try using Bigelow Constant Comment Tea 

Instructions:

Prepare the carrots. Add 8 Orange & Spice Herb Tea Bags to 4 cups (1L) of boiling water; let steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags. Cover carrots with tea and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, infuse milk by heating with 4  Orange & Spice Herb Tea Bags for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags.

Drain carrots and puree in a food processor and add melted butter and infused milk. The carrots should be very smooth. Place in a casserole and garnish if desired with crispy shallots.

To make the garnish—slice shallots into very thin rings. In a saucepan heat oil with butter over medium-low heat until it begins to bubble, add shallots and cook until they are a rich golden brown; about 30-40 minutes. Stir shallots occasionally while they are cooking to make sure they brown evenly. Remove shallots from oil, drain. Once the shallots have dried and are crisped, they can be stored for several days. Serve shallots on top of carrots

Minty Peas

Ingredients:

1/3 cup (90mL) whipping cream
3 Bigelow® Mint Medley® Herb Tea Bags
1 pound bag (1kg) frozen peas
3 tablespoons (45mL) unsalted butter
Fresh mint for garnish

Yield: Serves 4

Instructions:

Heat whipping cream, add tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes; remove bags, squeezing out excess.

Cook peas in microwave for approximately 8-9 minutes or until heated thoroughly, do not overcook as the peas will lose their shape.

Melt butter, combine with tea-infused cream, season with salt and pepper. Toss peas with cream mixture and serve hot. Garnish with mint if desired.

Photo by lukens via Flickr.com

Being a family-owned company, we at Bigelow Tea have great respect for traditions that bring multiple generations together. As Passover begins on March 25, we are fond of the holiday’s custom of gathering loved ones around the dinner table to share in the Passover Seder.

For our friends who keep Kosher, we wanted to let you know that many Bigelow Teas can be served at your family meal. Some of our most popular flavors have been certified as Kosher for Passover. They include our first tea, “Constant Comment”®, Cinnamon Stick, English Teatime, Earl Grey, Plantation Mint and many more! You can even try our recipe for Plantation Mint Punch with Lime, below, which makes for a unique and refreshing beverage.

Finally, if you’re attending a Seder or other Passover event, you can be the most popular guest by bringing our Tea-licious Basket! All 104 tea bags in this round and reusable basket are certified Kosher for Passover. Varieties include black, green, herbal and decaffeinated teas.

Happy Passover from our Bigelow Tea family to yours!

Plantation Mint Punch with Lime

Ingredients:

4 cups water
6 Bigelow Plantation Mint® Tea Bags
6 tablespoons honey
½ cup fresh lime juice
1 cup Rose’s Lime Juice
3 cups club soda, chilled

Yield: Serves 6

Instructions:

Place 4 cups boiling water over tea bags in heat-stable container. Let steep 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, add honey and stir until dissolved. Let cool. Pour the tea base into a 3-1/2 quart pitcher. Add fresh lime juice and Rose’s lime juice. Stir. Just before serving, add chilled club soda. Pour into ice-filled glasses and serve.

Top image by Edsel Little via Flickr.com

March is a great month for enjoying all things green! Spring will have its official start date this month, and many people of Irish descent—honorary ones too!—will proudly celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day. And at Bigelow Tea, we’ve gone green in a special way … by creating our Green Tea Personali-Tea Basket. Not only for tea drinkers, this basket is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys life to the fullest!

The lovely willow basket is packed with 72 tea bags of our Bigelow Green Tea varieties. It’s a great way to try our green teas. Go fruity with lemon, pomegranate, peach and mango flavors. Savor our pairing of Green Tea With Wild Blueberry and Acai. Get a hint of mint from with Green Tea with Mint. Or just sip Bigelow’s Green Tea in its original form!

Along with tea, other treats make this basket even sweeter to give, or get. We’ve included two jars of Savannah Bee Tea Honey and a package of tea candy. Plus, we couldn’t resist adding in chocolate covered graham crackers and chocolate wafer rolls. And yes, we know mugs will be needed. So, of course, we’ve thrown in a pair of green Bigelow Tea Personaili-Tea Mugs that just happen to be microwave and dishwasher safe! What’s not to love?!

Our Green Tea Personali-Tea Basket brings a breath of spring to gift giving. Going “green” can taste and feel so good!

It’s almost time for joyous Hanukkah traditions like lighting the menorah, making potato latkes and exchanging gifts. In recognition of the “festival of lights” in the Jewish faith, Bigelow Tea takes a moment to highlight fresh and inventive ways to decorate your home and celebrate ancient customs in modern style!

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Jews over their rulers in the second century BCE. Today, the celebration focuses primarily on the “miracle of the oil” symbolized by the light of the menorah. The lighting of one candle each night for eight days reminds us of the Hanukkah story:  When the Temple of Jerusalem was rededicated, there was only enough holy oil for one day, but it lasted for eight – representing “the triumph of Judaism’s spiritual values as embodied in its Torah.” The lighting of each candle is a reminder of past miracles and the Jewish people’s ongoing pursuit of peace.

The traditional Hanukkah colors are blue and white and make a beautiful palette for decorating your home, gifts and tabletop for the holiday. Better Homes and Gardens has lots of do-it-yourself ideas, including the one pictured above for a menorah made of glass tea lights set atop wrapped boxes. Or you might try making decorative stars to adorn presents or string on garlands, as Martha Stewart has done in the past. And if you’re strapped for time or in need of that perfect “something,” handcrafted items just for Hanukkah— like wreaths, textiles, decorations— can be found online.

As for gifts, tea always makes a lovely present, especially since almost all Bigelow Tea varieties are certified Kosher! Our ‘Giving Hai’ Hanukkah Gift makes a grand presentation to someone special with 18 teas and assorted treats.

Have a happy and tea-rrific Hanukkah!

Photo 1 by Scazon via Flickr.com
Photo 2 via Better Homes and Gardens

This is it! We’ve done it. We at Bigelow Tea have found the ideal gift for the Green Tea drinker: this adorable Green Tea Personali-Tea Mug! Not only does it hold a good amount of their favorite beverage, but it says a lot about them. The quote on the side tells us that the “Green tea drinker … loves the outdoors and is a natural at bringing people together. Knows how to live life to the fullest.” If this describes someone you know—or even yourself—you can check at least one person off your holiday shopping list!

With it’s fragrant but light and mellow brew, it seems clear that Green Tea and a green mug are perfect for someone who loves being outside and who loves the environment. In fact, a reusable mug like this one is inherently “green” because you can take it with you and use it over and over again! With our zero waste initiative here at Bigelow Tea, we have to say we love being green … and you know we love our Green Tea too! In fact, we offer green tea blends that range from fruity flavors like Peach Green Tea toChai Green Tea and even Earl Grey Green!

Yes, living life to the fullest and bringing people together … we think that’s the definition of a tea drinker in general. But when you add in nature and the outdoors, and put it all on this uniquely understated “green” mug, it pretty much says it all.  Happy gifting!