One great tea-sipping inventor was Ruth Bigelow. In 1945, she wanted more than black tea, which was the only kind of tea the typical grocery store carried. Therefore, she invented “Constant Comment”®, which launched Bigelow Tea and revolutionized the way Americans enjoy tea.

Another invention that Bigelow Tea made the most of, starting in 1978, was a machine for making tea bags that overwrapped each sachet in a sealed flavor-protecting pouch. Read about these innovations in My Mother Loved Tea, by David C. Bigelow. He concludes his book saying that the tea industry’s inventive spirit is far from over: “In the years to come we will see more and more deliciously different teas being offered.”

My Mother Loved Tea, by David Bigelow

In addition to creating tea flavors and blends, tea lovers have invented countless tea accessories, such as tea pots (whether ancient stoneware or digital ones), cozies, and infusers, including the award-winning, slim sleek tea stick for measuring and steeping loose tea.

One of the most colorful tea accessories of all time, however, is the Samovar, which was invented in Russia in the 18^th Century. Over the years, craftsmen have created increasingly exquisite vessels steeped in history and art. This creative spirit continues today with the invention of modern day samovars.

Never think that good ideas are all in the past. In fact, invention is in its infancy. If you have an innovative idea, perhaps you should investigate one of the many companies designed to bring ideas to life, such as the Idea Trade Network, Invent Help or Invent Bay. And your invention will be more likely to succeed if you investigate its potential while enjoying a cup of Bigelow Tea!

There is nothing more uplifting than the beginning of spring — especially after a long, cold winter! Sweet scents of hyacinth and vibrant tulips and daffodils fill us with a sense of well-being and renewal. Our cups runneth over. Speaking of cups, Bigelow Tea is celebrating springtime with our most exquisite Spring Catalog to date. It showcases a fabulous collection of Bigelow gifts, from colorful “On the Go” Tote Bags to the beautifully crafted Flavored and Herb Tea Chest. Green tea drinkers can go green with Bigelow’s All Green Tea Basket, a seagrass basket lovingly filled with Bigelow delights, including the ever-popular Green Tea with Pomegranate.

“On the Go” Tote Bags

Flavored and Herb Tea Chest

All Green Tea Basket

There’s something for everyone: discerning teacup collectors can enjoy Spode® Flower of the Month Teacups with their favorite Bigelow Tea, and organic tea aficionados can relax with treats from the Amber Spa Basket and Organic Tea For Two.

April — Flowers of the Month by Spode®

Amber Spa Basket

Organic Tea For Two

We at Bigelow Tea have put a lot of TLC into the creation of this catalog. Celebrate this glorious season with tea — whether planning the first of many spring tea parties or simply enjoying a beautiful sunset on your back porch while sipping some American Classic Tea®.

60+ years ago, Ruth Bigelow, with her unabashed passion for tea and adventurous taste buds, created a zesty tea, Constant Comment®. Her children and grandchildren were inspired by her. To read more about a true “American classic” and the family-owned company that she founded, read My Mother Loved Tea, written by her son, David Bigelow. And, yes, you can order it from the 2009 Spring Catalog.