8th July, 2008: Bill Hall: A Tradition of Tea Tasting
Like wine, tea is a complex beverage full of scents, colors and tastes that are often hard to define. That’s where tea tasters come in. At the Charleston Tea Plantation, Bigelow is lucky enough to have a third-generation tea taster on hand, Bill Hall.
In describing the job of a tea taster, Bill explained that “tea is one of the few commodities in the world that is sold strictly on the basis of taste alone. In order to put a value on it, you have to taste it.” But here’s where tea differs from wine: the taste of tea can change every week.
“Unlike wine, which is grown and harvested once a year,” Bill says that “tea is harvested every 15 to 18 days.” During this time many factors can influence the flavor, including the temperature and humidity level. Bill notes that tea tasters can tell if something had gone wrong in the process, “if it’s burnt, musty, old or out of condition, a tea taster can tell you all that.”
How does one receive an education in tea tasting? Bill went through a four-year apprenticeship during which he tasted between 800 and 1,000 cups of tea a day! During this time he worked with the world’s largest tea packer (Brooke Bond Ltd.) and the world’s largest tea dealer (Van Reese).
Tea-tasting also runs in Bill’s blood. His grandfather and father were in the business as well.
But what is Bill’s favorite part of being in the tea business? He responds, “What is really exciting about this plantation is that we’re going from the ground right through to the cup. What we do here in Charleston is unique. It’s a one stop shop that is vertically integrated.”
Hear more from Bill Hall and get some tea tasting tips in our next featured post!
Posted by LizG at 7:15 am | Comment (0)
7th July, 2008: Reese Witherspoon’s Tokyo Tea Ceremony
The New Zealand Herald reports that Reese Witherspoon, Avon’s Honorary Chairman visited Japan last month to raise breast cancer awareness. She participated in a traditional tea ceremony held in Kochuan, Tokyo to honor a small group of breast cancer survivors. The “Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu 茶の湯, lit.” tea hot-water”; also called chadō or sadō, 茶道, “the way of tea”) is a multifaceted traditional activity strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism, in which powdered green tea, or matcha (抹茶) is ceremonially prepared and served to others.” On this occasion it was used to create an open forum to discuss breast cancer issues and needs in Japan. In addition to the tea ceremony, Ms. Witherspoon met with Avon Representatives and introduced the region to Avon’s first-ever global fundraising product, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet. More images of Reese in Japan can be viewed here.
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
4th July, 2008: Celebrate the 4th With Refreshing Iced Tea
Whether you celebrate Independence Day, the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with fireworks, parades, backyard barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games or something else, be sure to quench your thirst this 4th of July weekend with one of our refreshing iced tea recipes - - wherever you celebrate.
Speaking of history and tea, think about this interesting tea tidbit from one of our friends at gather.com:
“…there is an old joke in my village’s history book. When tea was first brought to Long Island in 1700, the locals didn’t know what to do with it, so they cooked it and ate it like spinach while others spread the leaves on bread like butter.” (quoted from Echoes From the Past, Elisabeth S. Lapham)
And why not? Yet, perhaps you’d rather stick to iced tea, like the one below, or try some of our other tea recipes.
Ingredients:
1½ cups cold water
3 Bigelow® Perfect Peach® Herbal Tea Bags
3 Bigelow® Spiced Chai Tea Bags
7 cups of cold water
Instructions:
Recipe created by Dorinda of Covington GA, 3rd place winner 2007 Iced Tea Recipe Contest
Place 1½ cups boiling water over tea bags in a 4-cup glass measuring cup. Let steep for 10 minutes. Squeeze and remove tea bags, let the concentrated tea cool.
Pour concentrate into a 3-quart pitcher. Add the cold water and stir. Pour into ice-filled glasses and serve.
For more tea recipes and entertaining ideas, go to http://www.bigelowtea.com/entertaining/recipes/
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
2nd July, 2008: Tea Shows Promise in Fighting Diabetes
Scottish scientists say that drinking tea might help combat diabetes. Pre-clinical research conducted at the University of Dundee indicates that ingredients in black tea “mimic insulin action.”
A team lead by Dr. Graham Rena of the university’s Neurosciences Institute has been working diligently to identify agents that might substitute for insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Thus far the group’s research has revealed that black tea ingredients known as theaflavins and thearubigins mimic insulin action.
Dr. Rena has been quoted in a Scottish news site as saying, “What we have found is that these constituents can mimic insulin action on proteins known as FOXOs … The task now is to see whether we can translate these findings into something useful for human health.” Rena added, “There is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect, both in terms of diabetes and our wider health.”
Dr. Graham Rena notes that his team’s research into tea compounds is at an experimental phase and that further testing is needed. In the meantime, diabetics are advised to continue to take medications as directed by their doctors.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
1st July, 2008: Questions Answered about Charleston Tea Plantation
As the only location in North America where tea is grown today, the Charleston Tea Plantation holds a wealth of interest for tea lovers in the United States. And we’ve got some of the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: How much tea is grown at the plantation and when is it harvested?
A: The Charleston Tea Plantation has hundreds of thousands of tea bushes in the fields. They stretch almost as far as the eye can see. The tea grows from May to October. During this time it is picked every 15-18 days on average. In spring we get the “First Flush,” the very first tea leaves of the year. Then by the end of October, the plant goes dormant and rests all winter long.
Q: What varieties of tea are grown at the plantation?
A: We produce “American Classic,” the only tea grown here in the U.S. American Classic is a fresh, smooth black tea picked from the plants that are descendants of those that were brought to America during colonial times.
Q: What Bigelow teas feature American Classic?
A: 2007 marked the introduction of four Loose Tea varieties of American Classic Tea — Charleston Breakfast, Rockville Raspberry, Plantation Peach and Governor Gray. Each is a very special tea, blended personally by our full-time tea taster, Bill Hall, to assure consistent taste and the highest quality. The best news for all tea lovers is that these teas are available throughout the year in the Gift Shoppe.
In upcoming posts, we’ll feature more about Bill Hall and the tradition of tea tasting, so we invite you to return to learn more!
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
30th June, 2008: Could Someone Please Hold My Tea?
Diddy Enjoying His Tea in a Whole New Way
Nothing is better than a good cup of tea, no matter what you are doing or where you are and at the recent Cannes Film Festival Diddy proved that when he was captured by photographers enjoying a cup in a
rather unique way. The good people of POPSUGAR provide us with a brief summary and an image of Diddy and his tea holder. Could “Personal Tea Holders” be the beginning of a whole new trend?
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
27th June, 2008: Tea and Tour at the Huntington
Good news, tea lovers! Due to the growing popularity of your beverage of choice, tea can increasingly be enjoyed at some of your favorite travel destinations! One fantastic example is The Huntington in San Marino, California. This facility has it all: a library, art collections plus botanical gardens. The Huntington also boasts the Rose Garden Tea Room.
Relax as you enjoy your drink in the tea room, conveniently located in the newly opened Chinese garden. Traditional English tea tidbits (such as scones) are available as well, or you can order a heartier lunch item.
You might even consider a special “tea and tour.” And, if you enjoyed viewing the Mary Cassatt paintings that the Bigelow blog featured back in February you’ll want to add a stop to the museum section of The Huntington as they have one of the artist’s tea depictions on display. Please check the destination’s web site for hours and updated news: reservations are required for the Tea Room and the tour. And those wanting a peek at the Cassatt art will want to plan ahead for summer when the museum housing this painting re-opens.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
25th June, 2008: Teashops Take Root in Arizona
Glynis Legrand says she’s been “surprised to find out that there are so many closet tea drinkers.” Having recently opened the Urban Tea Loft – a tea shop, salon and restaurant – in Chandler Arizona, Legrand has joined the growing number of retail teashops arising in the American Southwest. Her story and those of other tea retailers in the area, recently came to light in an AZCentral.com news article.
Why the trend toward tea? One reason might be the health benefits. “With blended, flavored coffee drinks pushing 300 and 400 calories, switching to tea sometimes or all the time can be a way to watch the waistline,” article author Geri Koeppel notes.
Legrand seems to agree, “I think people are really looking for an alternative.”
With few calories, and an impressive list of health benefits, tea does provide a distinct choice. But consumers also enjoy variety in the styles of tea venues springing up. While Legrand and her husband’s business is “gender-neutral,” other area establishments might be described as having the feminine touch. Like Tealicious in Ahwatukee, Arizona, which features old-fashioned tea parties, or Tea Dreams in Gilbert, described as the “ultimate girls’ day out retreat.” Not your cup of tea? Try your luck at Tea Infusion Bar and Cafe which has the easygoing atmosphere of a “casual hangout.”
To learn more about these establishments, or to plan your own tea getaway, read the full news story here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
24th June, 2008: The Colorful Portland Tea Scene
According to a report published in the New York Times, Portland, Oregon “is host to one of the most distinctive tea scenes in the country.” The beverage (and the fun) is brewed in a number of distinctive tea houses as well as organized tea parties that don’t take themselves too seriously.
There are the typical chain tea businesses one might expect, but locally-owned venues have popped up as well, each catering to some very sophisticated tea tastes. One, Barefoot Sage, is tucked away in a building which looks suspiciously like a hardware store, but which comes alive inside with luxury. Patrons enjoy “tea blends … and recline on enormous plum-velvet sofas, [their] toes soaking in terra cotta basins filled with hot water and rose petals.”
At the other end of the spectrum is Tea Chai Té, a tea store where owner Dominic Valdes is “trying to take the doily out of the tea experience.” He’s not alone. Also taking tea into a new culture with less formal traditions is the TeaZone in Portland’s Pearl district which serves up a variety of tea cocktails with casual flair. Not to be out-done is entrepreneur, Gary Wiseman. Wiseman has gained a reputation for staging color-themed tea parties, such as the Emerald City tea party. His favorite, however, was an event on Burnside Bridge. He says, “The theme was black, white and shades of gray.” The tea was Earl Grey.
To learn more about Portland’s thriving tea scene and the entrepreneurs driving it, read the full Times article here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
23rd June, 2008: Get Ready to Join the Worldwide Tea Party
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
