Tea lovers make great inventors, perhaps because their beverage of choice is so stimulating and refreshing.

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!

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.