Bigelow Tea

Simon Cowell Talks Over Tea

Linda — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:31 +0000

He may be one of America’s toughest critics, but Simon Cowell definitely knows how to make a guest feel welcome…with tea!

Thanks to Newsday.com for the Image

Since 2002 we’ve let Cowell into our homes and enjoyed watching his, sometimes quite hilarious, reactions to all the aspiring singers on American Idol. For a recent interview Cowell welcomed the reporter into his own home to chat over tea. Would you expect anything less from the Brighton, England-born Cowell?

At Bigelow Tea we imagine that a couple stimulating cups of tea each day might provide the motivation needed to preserve Cowell’s enthusiasm all season long on American Idol! We suspect even more tea-fuelled interviews to come with future seasons of the show.

Bigelow Tea Declares its Salute to the July 4th Holiday!

David — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:24 +0000

As the July 4^th Holiday is upon us, Bigelow Tea takes pride in reminding us of the important role that Tea played in the history of our country, even sparking outrage that eventually led to American Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

That “nice cup of tea” sure packed a wallop throughout history! Of course we all know the story of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, a revolt against “taxation without representation” in Boston. It’s one of the many historic events that we have explored in the Bigelow Tea Blog in detail.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Another “Tea Revolution” in our history was the introduction of the tea bag in the early 20^th Century - revolutionizing the way people make and enjoy their cup of tea. And remarkably, about that same time iced tea was introduced, at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the hot summer sun being the mother of invention. July 4^th celebrations have not been the same since.

So there’s really nothing revolutionary about how to spend this 4^th of July; a family picnic, cooking out, watching the fireworks…and with that hot summer sun - lots of iced tea!

Bigelow® Green Tea with Pomegranate & Blueberry Iced Tea

Check out these iced tea varieties from Bigelow Tea, mix and match, stir and pour; they make for a perfect recipe for your July 4^th celebration, and your independence from that summer thirst!

From the Bigelow Family to yours - a safe and happy holiday.

Join Cindi Bigelow on a Video Tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation!

Ben — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:18 +0000

A little Southern hospitality goes a long way in South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island, home of America’s only tea garden, the Charleston Tea Plantation. Cindi Bigelow gives a fun and informative video tour of the idyllic plantation, purchased by the Bigelow family in 2003.

Just the TEA facts, please!

David — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:45 +0000

As the most widely consumed beverage in the world other than water, tea can still be a mystery to some people.

Tea is steeped in many traditions and legends, and the history of tea is quite fascinating - but the Western World may still be playing catch up with the east on many things tea. For instance, it wasn’t until 1905 that the tea plant received its official Latin name, Camellia sinensis. Many western scientists at the time were not aware that Black, Green, Oolong and White tea production all came from this single tea plant.

Image courtesy of plantoftheweek.org

One of the biggest misconceptions about tea is the caffeine level - which is less than half that of coffee. Add to that all the heath benefits in tea, plus the fact that tea contains no sodium, fat, carbonation, sugar and is virtually calorie-free, and you don’t have to be able to read the tea leaves to see all the advantages of enjoying your tea.

Here are some more interesting tea facts for you, while you wait for the pot to boil:

On any given day, about half of the American population drinks tea. On a regional basis, the South and Northeast have the greatest concentration of tea drinkers.
The tea plant Camellia sinensis can grow over 30 feet in height, but most tea plantations keep the plant trimmed to about waist-height so the leaves can be plucked easily at harvest time.
It was actually Dutch traders who were the first to bring tea to the West in the early 1600s, and it quickly became an important staple of trade for many countries.
And yes, it is true that the only tea plantation in North America is Bigelow’s Charleston Tea Plantation, located on Wadmalaw Island, just south of Charleston, South Carolina!

Charleston Tea Plantation

A Bigelow Tea Visit to Red Sox Nation: A True Homerun!

Carrie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:09 +0000

On a beautiful, sunny spring day in May, Bigelow Tea hosted a special event filled with a truly memorable day of fun and learning at Fenway: the oldest baseball park in our country.

The day’s events included tea education along with a Bigelow Tea tasting followed by a once in a lifetime talk with Terry Francona and concluding with a moving tour of Fenway Park.

Carrie Hammond, Marketing Manager, Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager, Sherri Luba, Marketing Administrative Assistant, Scott Ricci, Marketing Director

Red Sox Manager, Terry Francona, was a true gentleman; taking time to chat with us over his cup of Bigelow Green Tea with Pomegranate , answering questions, signing autographs and snapping pictures before going on air for his pre-game show on WEEI. We asked lots of fun questions such as:

Q: “What is your favorite memory of the game?”

A: Seeing the guys storm the field after the 2007 Series win, guys from 6 or more countries embracing in pure joy.

Q: “Who’s your favorite Yankee?”

A: Derek Jeter, great guy, amazing athlete.

Q: “Who’s first to the locker room before games?”

A: Dustin Pedroia, since day one in the majors and probably always will be, he gets everyone going!

The park tour followed with fun facts and lots of history. Did you know…

The red seat in right field is a marker of the furthest hit ball?
Ted Williams hit that ball 502 feet and the record stands to this day!
The dots and dashes on the white stripes of the manual scoreboard are the initials of Mr. and Mrs. Yawkey in Morse code, former owners of the Red Sox!
The waiting list to work behind the manual scoreboard is over 7,000 names long!!!

Our sincere thanks to the “Fenway “team” for ensuring the day went off without a hitch (or a strike) and our personal and heartfelt thanks to Terry Francona for making this day a true home run!!!

Carrie Hammond
Marketing Manager
Bigelow Tea

A Bigelow heads to Appalachia

Cindi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:09 +0000

You all might recall that every year I head down to West Virginia for the Appalachian mountains to help work on homes for a week with about 150 people. This is a program for youths, of which I am a crew advisor. This year we have 163 people heading down, more than any other year! I have to say, I am really looking forward to it. It is always challenging to finish up everything in the office and my home before I go, but if there is a week worth preparing for, this is it. Anyway, I can’t wait to go and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! So this week will be a tad crazy but it won’t bother me one bit…

Cindi Bigelow

Fiesta! Go South Of The Border For Dinner, with Bigelow Tea inspired Recipes!

Ann — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:50 +0000

If you’ve had the pleasure of eating Spanish, Cuban, Mexican or other Hispanic inspired foods, you know how good they can be. The question is how to make your dinner at home sizzle the same way; Bigelow Tea (or Té Bigelow) has an answer!

Here are two fantastic Bigelow Tea inspired recipes, one entrée and one dessert, for you to make dinner a south of the border sensation right at home. Invite your friends - it’s time for a fiesta!

Masitas de Puerco Fritas (Fried Pork Chunks)

with Bigelow Chamomile and Mango Salsa!

In English and Spanish

Fried Pork Chunks with Bigelow Chamomile and Mango Salsa.

Masitas de Puerco Fritas

Serves 4 for dinner and up to 8 as appetizer

Fried Pork Chunks

2 lbs Pork loin

1 cup olive oil
6 to 8 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup sour orange juice or 1/2 cup orange juice combined with 1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups water

1 med onion, cut in half and thinly sliced

Sauce:

1 cup water

6 bags Bigelow Chamomile Mango Herb Tea Bags

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup pureed mango

1/4 cup orange juice

Pork:

Prepare Mojo (the marinade) Combine sour orange juice (or the orange and lime juice), 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Cut Pork into 2 inch chunks. Pour mojo (marinade) over pork chunks. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator to marinade for at least 4 hours. The longer the better.

Remove pork from marinade and into a pot. Pour two cups of water and 1/2 cup olive oil over the pork. Bring water to a boil then reduce heat to bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer, uncovered until all water evaporates (30 to 45 minutes, approx.). The oil will remain. Fry the pork in the oil until crispy and brown on the outside. Remove pork from the pot. Sauté onion slices in the same pot used for the pork until transparent. Serve pork with the onions.

Sauce:

Bring water to boil. Remove from heat and let tea bags steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add sugar, orange juice and mango puree to tea. Bring back to boil and reduce to simmer. Let liquid reduce in volume by half. You will have a syrup like consistency. Remove from heat. Let cool. Serve over the pork chunks or on the side as a dipping sauce.

Masitas de Puerco Fritas con Salsa de Bigelow Manzanilla & Mango.

4 Porciones

Masitas de Puerco Fritas

2 lbs Lomo de cerdo picado en cubos

1 tza Aceite de oliva
6 - 8 dientes de ajo, picaditos
½ tza de Jugo de naranja con ½ tza jugo de lima
½ cdta Comino

½ cdta Orégano seco
½ cdta Sal

½ cdta Pimienta

2 tzas Agua

2 Cebollas medianas, cortadas en rebanadas finas

Salsa:

1 tza Agua

6 bolsas de té - Bigelow Manzanilla Mango

¾ tza Azúcar

1 tza puré de mango

¼ tza Jugo de naranja

Para el cerdo:

Prepare el marinado combinando el jugo de naranja y limón, ½ taza de aceite de oliva, ajo, orégano, comino, sal y pimienta. Vierta el marinado sobre el cerdo. Cúbralo con plástico y déjelo en el refrigerador por no menos de 4 horas. Mientras más tiempo mejor.

Ponga el cerdo en una olla y agréguele el agua y ½ taza de aceite de oliva. Haga hervir y baje la temperatura. Continúe a temperatura baja, destapado hasta que el agua se evapore (aprox. 30-45 minutos). El aceite se quedará en la olla. Sofría el cerdo en el aceite hasta quedar dorado por todos lados. Remueva el cerdo. Sofría las cebollas en el mismo aceite hasta que estén transparentes. Sirva con el cerdo.

Salsa:

Hierva el agua. Remueva del calor y añada bolsas de te por 5 minutos. Añada azúcar, jugo de naranja y puré de mango al té. Vuelva a hervir y baje la temperatura. Deje reducir el volumen a la mitad. La consistencia será como syrop. Remueva del calor y deje enfriar. Sirva con el cerdo.

“Chamomile Mango” Vanilla Fritters

In English and Spanish

“Chamomile Mango” Vanilla Fritters

Buñuelos de Vanilla con Salsa de Manzanilla Mango

Serves 4

Vanilla Fritters:

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 egg

4 tablespoons (½ stick) melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ teaspoon granulated sugar

1/3 cup milk

2 cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Chamomile Mango Sauce:

8 Bigelow Chamomile Mango Tea Bags

½ cup heavy cream

½ cup milk

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 egg yolks

pinch of salt

Mango-Mint Salad:

1 cup mango, diced

1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp honey

¼ cup pecans, toasted & chopped

Directions:

For the Vanilla Fritters:

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, granulated sugar. Add milk and stir to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry, stir until soft dough forms. Over a lightly floured surface, knead the dough. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls. Cover with a slightly damp paper towel and let rest for 15 minutes.

Pour vegetable oil into deep skillet. Heat until oil reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry until golden brown, a few at a time. Drain on paper towels.

For the Chamomile Mango Sauce:

Add cream, milk, 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar, and tea bags to saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let tea infuse for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags from milk-cream mixture and simmer while whisking egg yolks, salt, and remaining sugar in a separate bowl. Pour half the milk-cream mixture into the egg yolks, while whisking continuously. Pour back into saucepan and cook over medium-low heat. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon for 2-3 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon. Strain sauce into bowl. Let cool to room temperature. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

For the Mango-Mint Salad:

Combine ingredients and toss. Chill for 15 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestion:

Fritters should be served hot, so fry when ready to serve. Ladle ¼ cup of the chamomile mango sauce on serving plate. Arrange 3 vanilla fritters over sauce. Drizzle with a bit of the sauce. Top with 2 tablespoons of mango-mint salad. If desired garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves.

Chamomile Mango Sauce and Mango-Mint Salad can be prepped one day ahead.

Yields 4 servings.

Buñuelos de Vanilla con Salsa de Manzanilla Mango

Sirve 4 personas

Buñuelos de Vainilla:

1 ½ tza harina

1 ½ cdta de polvo para hornear

½ cdta sal

1 huevo

4 cda mantequilla derretida

1 cdta extracto de vainilla

1 ½ t cdta azucar granulada

1/3 tza leche

2 tzas aceite vegetal, para freír

Salsa de Manzanilla Mango:

8 bolsitas de te Bigelow Manzanilla Mango

½ tza de crema espesa

½ tza leche

3 cda azúcar granulada

2 yemas de huevo

Una pizca de sal

Ensalada Mango-Menta:

1 tza mango, picadito

1 cda hojas de menta, picaditas

2 cda jugo de limón

1 cda miel

¼ tza pecanas, tostadas y picadas

Instrucciones:

Para Buñuelos:

Cierna la harina, polvo para hornear y sal. En un recipiente separado bata juntos los huevos, mantequilla derretida, extracto de vainilla, azúcar granulada. Agregue la leche y revuelva para combinar. Vierta los ingredientes mojados en los secos, revuelva hasta formar una pasta suave. Sobre una superficie con un poco de harina, amase la pasta. Divídala en 12 pedazos iguales. Forme en bolas. Cúbralas con una toalla de papel levemente húmeda y deje descansar por 15 minutos. Vierta el aceite vegetal en una sartén profunda. Caliente el aceite hasta que alcance 360 grados Fahrenheit. Fría hasta el doraditos, algunos a la vez. Drene en las toallas de papel.

Para la salsa de Manzanilla Mango:

Agregue la crema, la leche, 1 cda de azúcar granulada, y las bolsitas de té a la olla y hierva. Quite del calor y deje el té infundir por 15 minutos. Quite las bolsitas de té de la mezcla e hierva a fuego lento mientras que bate las yemas de huevo, la sal, y el azúcar restante en un tazón de fuente separado. Vierta la mitad de la mezcla de la leche-crema en las yemas de huevo, mientras que bate continuamente. Vierta nuevamente dentro de la olla y cocine a fuego medio-bajo. Revuelva continuamente con una cuchara de madera por 2-3 minutos, o hasta que la salsa espese levemente y cubre la parte posterior de la cuchara. Cuele la salsa en un recipiente alterno. Deje refrescar a temperatura ambiente. Enfríe por lo menos una hora antes de servir.

Para la ensalada de Mango-Menta:

Combine todos los ingredientes y revuelva. Enfríe por 15 minutos antes de servir.

La salsa y ensalada se pueden preparar 1 día antes.

Cindi Bigelow Honored in Top 100 Women in Grocery Award List

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:56 +0000

Third Annual Top Women in Grocery Award Program Showcases
Best and Brightest Businesswomen in the Industry

Fairfield, CT, June 25, 2009 - “Do the right thing and good things will follow” is the philosophy of Bigelow Tea (www.bigelowtea.com), championed by Company President, Cindi Bigelow. Honored in Progressive Grocer’s Top 100 Women in Grocery, Cindi is recognized for her many achievements in the industry, not least of which is her dedication and commitment to Bigelow Tea, her employees, customers, community and the environment.

The third annual Top Women in Grocery award program organizers received an unprecedented number of nominations for outstanding female executives, entrepreneurs and industry newbies, precipitating the launch of the first ever Top 100 Women in Grocery award list. Recognized for their business acumen and performance as top notch industry professionals, the 100 women were also chosen for their proven sense of community, fellowship and philanthropy.

“I am both honored and humbled to be listed alongside such high caliber women,” said Cindi Bigelow, “and it is awe-inspiring to have such a wonderful forum to share each other’s experiences, success stories and words of wisdom.”

For Cindi Bigelow, tea is not just a business; it’s a passion. Representing the third generation of Bigelow leaders, Cindi preaches and practices “Sustainabili-Tea”- in tea production, with people, through environmental initiatives and efforts to preserve the planet. Her unwavering belief is that the small things, over time, add up. They most certainly do!

Check out Progressive Grocer’s June/July awards issue: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/pg_20090607/index.php#/22

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 tea, 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).

###

PRESS CONTACT INFO:
Elizabeth April-Fritz
Bigelow Tea
203-334-1212
eafritz@rcbigelow.com

Valorie Luther
Creative Concepts
866.475.5191 x709
vluther@creative-conceptsllc.com

Tea and Hospitality: Tour the Charleston Tea Plantation with Cindi Bigelow

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:45 +0000

America’s Only Tea Garden!

Fairfield, CT, June 25, 2009 - A little Southern hospitality goes a long way in South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island, home of America’s only tea garden, the Charleston Tea Plantation. Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea (www.bigelowtea.com), gives a fun and informative video tour of the idyllic plantation, purchased by the Bigelow family in 2003.

In the words of David C. Bigelow, the company’s co-CEO, “This is a wonderful, peaceful place…which never could be replicated again. We are very happy that we were able to basically get to save this place from the bulldozers.” Eunice Bigelow, wife and co-CEO, agreed:” It gives us a great deal of pleasure to hear from people who’ve been here say how wonderful it is, how much they’ve gotten out of it and how often they want to come back.”

The plantation receives over 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom are curious to see a real, unique tea garden - in all its 127-acre splendor - and perhaps want to plan their weddings/special events on the grounds or to explore the rich history of Charleston or to simply just enjoy a lovely a cup of the plantation’s signature American Classic Tea. Visitors from near and far are fascinated by the knowledge imparted by plantation founder and passionate tea aficionado Bill Hall, who now partners with Bigelow Tea in running the Charleston Tea Plantation.

“Come visit us. You’ll drink the only tea grown in America.” Take the tour with Cindi: http://www.bigelowtea.com/about/bigteav.cfm.

About Bigelow Tea Company

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).

###

PRESS CONTACT INFO:
Elizabeth April-Fritz
Bigelow Tea
203-334-1212
eafritz@rcbigelow.com

Valorie Luther
Creative Concepts
866.475.5191
vluther@creative-conceptsllc.com

Green Tea Helps Control High Blood Pressure

David — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:00:39 +0000

High blood pressure is a dangerous medical condition that currently affects over 65 million Americans, and up to 1 billion people worldwide. High blood pressure kills about 50,000 Americans every year, and contributes to 75% of all strokes which is the #3 killer in the U.S. today. Dire statistics, but it is good to know that daily consumption of green tea can help. While it’s true that many studies have concluded that Green tea consumption is associated with overall reducedmortality, what about specifically controlling high blood pressure and strokes?

In several studies, over 8 years, researchers in Taiwan discovered 65% lower risk of high blood pressure for men and women who drank at least 20 ounces (600 ml.) of green or oolong tea daily for at least a year. Other results have shown that a daily green tea regime helps prevent artery constriction, which forces the blood pressure to rise, thus protecting against strokes caused by high blood pressure.

The Archives of Internal Medicine reported another study of 550 men that revealed that drinking almost 5 cups of tea per day reduced the likelihood of stroke by 69 percent. Add a little lemon to your tea, and the results are even more dramatic. Good to know that daily enjoyment of tea, as part of a healthy lifestyle, helps control blood pressure and can help prevent stroke, as well as other healthful benefits. So enjoy that healthy, calming cup of tea, a well deserved break for both brain and body.