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Summer Coolers -
Celebrating National Iced Tea Month |
It
was a scorching hot summer day at the 1904 World’s Fair in
St. Louis and festival attendees were uninterested in the hot tea
that Richard Blechynden was serving. Attempting to salvage the day,
he poured his brewed tea over ice, and the quintessential English
tradition of “taking tea” was forever changed. Crediting
the “invention” of iced tea to Richard Blechynden is
the subject of great debate, but all might agree that his efforts
helped to popularize this most refreshing and delicious elixir.
It's
cool, refreshing, good for you, and so popular that an entire month
has been set aside to celebrate…summer is here and so is National
Iced Tea Month. “June’s National Iced Tea Month is a
good time to drink up the many benefits of tea," says Joe Simrany,
President of the Tea Council of the USA. “It’s tasty,
refreshing, has zero calories and is chock full of health benefits,
so it’s a terrific beverage choice. With a multitude of research
suggesting that the substances in tea may help the body maintain
healthy cells and tissues, contribute to heart health and keep your
weight in check, why would anyone choose to drink anything else?”
According
to the Tea Association of the USA, Americans consumed well over
55 billion servings of tea (over 2.50 billion gallons) in 2007 with
approximately 85% of the tea consumed as iced.
In
the southern US they make sweet tea, in Thailand it is called cha
yen, and in Austria the refreshing drink is called “ice”
tea, rather than “iced” tea. No matter what you call
it, iced tea is a satisfying and refreshing beverage enjoyed the
world over.
When
you home brew your iced tea you can customize it to your particular
preference—some like it sweet, others unsweetened, some prefer
fruit infusions like blood oranges or summer peaches, others prefer
just a simple lemon wedge or sprig of mint as a garnish. If you
don’t homebrew, RTD (ready to drink) teas are a convenient
and delicious way to enjoy iced tea. A trip to the convenience store
or local supermarket will reveal dozens of brands—each offering
something to appeal to the varying tastes of today’s iced
tea drinking consumer. Over the last ten years, the RTD Tea market
has grown nearly ten fold. In recently released data, the Tea Association
of the USA conservatively estimates 2007 sales of RTD teas at $2.80
billion.
Iced
tea fun facts:
- The
oldest known recipe for sweet ice tea was published in 1879 in
a community cookbook called Housekeeping in Old Virginia,
by Marion Cabell Tyree. This recipe calls for green tea. In fact,
most sweet tea consumed during this time period was green tea.
However, during World War II, the major sources of green tea were
cut off from the United States, leaving consumers with tea almost
exclusively from British-controlled India.
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Today, if you ask for an “Arnold Palmer” you will
be served a mix of iced tea and lemonade. It is named after its
creator, golf legend, Arnold Palmer.
- “Texas
tea” in the Beverly Hillbilly’s theme song refers
to oil--nothing to do with tea at all.
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In 2003 Georgia state representative John Noel tried to pass a
house bill making it mandatory for all restaurants to serve sweet
tea. Mr. Noel insists it was an April Fools' Day joke but admits
he wouldn’t mind if it became law.
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The famous “long island iced tea” drink doesn’t
contain any tea.
It
has been more than 100 years since Blechynden’s cool idea
and iced tea remains one of the America’s most beloved beverages.
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Community Coffee Turns 90! -
The Genuine Flavor of Louisiana
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Community
Coffee Company (Baton Rouge, LA) is steeped in tradition as rich
as their coffee. As the largest family-owned retail coffee brand
in the U.S., it is a company that grew from a small country store
in Baton Rouge where founder Henry Norman "Cap" Saurage
brewed his popular coffee.
The
coffee became so popular that he named it "Community"
in honor of his loyal friends and customers. Cap eventually turned
his attention away from the grocery store and devoted all of his
time and energy to making great coffee.
Over
the years, Community Coffee Company would take countless steps to
ensure the quality of its product. In 1955, the company began importing
green coffee beans directly from coffee plantations in Brazil. In
1970, a new plant was built on the Mississippi River in Port Allen,
Louisiana. In 1980, Community introduced the nation's first vacuum-sealed
coffee package. The first CC's Community Coffee House opened on
the corner of Jefferson and Magazine Street in New Orleans in 1995.
Dozens more opened during the 10 years that followed.
Today,
Community Coffee Company is 90 years old. It is so much a part of
people's lives and spans so many generations that it has been dubbed
the State Coffee of Louisiana™. “I'm proud to say that
our mission - to share our passion for great coffee with our
customers - has not changed in the 90 years since my great
grandfather founded Community Coffee Company," said Matthew
Saurage, President of Community Coffee Company.
Without
flash and fanfare, Community Coffee Company quietly and generously
serves their community. They have two established donation programs
that allow them to give back. The Community Cash for Schools™
program started over 20 years ago and local schools have earned
over $4,000,000--translating into new textbooks, new computers,
new playground equipment, and more. Support Our Troops is a coffee
matching program for orders being sent to men and women in the armed
forces. “The Military Match program is our way of demonstrating
support for those serving overseas, and who are away from home,
family and friends during this time," said Saurage. Order four
bags of coffee and they’ll send and additional four bags free.
Sensational
Summer Sippers—Mochasippis!
These
wonderful premium coffee drinks, available in three great varieties,
deliver a refreshing sensation and cool satisfaction on a hot summer
day. Vanilla, mocha, or coffee…each provides 9.5 fl. oz. of
delight. Mochasippis are available for purchase at local grocers
and convenient stores in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and Florida. They are also available at CC’s Community Coffee
Houses. Mochasippis sell for around $1.69-$1.99 each or you can
purchase a 4-pack for $5.99.
For
more information about Community Coffee products or to make a donation
to one of their great giveback programs, visit www.communitycoffee.com.
Photos courtesy of Community Coffee Company.
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What
is it? A treat for the eye and the palate,
jade ring tea is a beautiful handmade artisan tea. Jade green
tea leaves are wrapped around a rod shaping them into rings
which, when brewed, unravel into a full slender leaf. The tea
yields a delicate yet robust jasmine flavor. This tea is also
known as nu er huan - little girl rings.
How
is it made? The rings are made by rolling the
rich jade green leaves around rods. Once the rings are formed,
the tea is then separated into mesh trays and placed in a heated
drier. In between each tray of tea rings, a mesh tray of freshly
picked jasmine flowers is placed. The drier gently blows warm
air through the tea and the blossoms, allowing the tea to gently
absorb the scent of the flowers. In the morning the trays are
removed, and the process repeated for up to 6 nights. The rings
are then re-fired to remove any moisture absorbed from the blossoms.
How
to brew?
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Start with your favorite spring or filtered water. Heat the
water to between 160 F and 180 F.
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Use a teaspoon (3g) for a 6oz serving. Please note, for denser
teas this is about 1 teaspoon; for larger-leaf teas this could
be up to 2 tablespoons.
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Steep
for 1-3 minutes. Experiment with steeping times, amount of
tea and water temperature to personalize your tea experience.
Rely on taste, not color. Lengthen subsequent steeping times
for additional infusions.
Where
to purchase? This tea can be purchased at specialty
teashops and online sellers including www.SummitTea.com.
.75 oz. tin for $7.95 or 4 oz. bag for $26.00.
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-Recycled
Coffee Bags -
Saving the Planet With Style
Peter
Grimm Headwear is one of the fastest growing headwear companies
in the country. Maybe you’ve seen the impressive designs
adorn the heads of celebrities like Eva Longoria or Bono.
Now, Peter Grimm Headwear has gone eco-friendly with the launch
of the new Green Grimm line featuring four Drifters (Cowboy Hats)
and two Fedoras. The hats are created using coffee bean bags from
the local coffee brew masters. www.petergrimm.com.
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Free Book Giveaway -
5 Lucky Readers Will Receive
A Free Autographed Copy!
Passion
For Tea
Its History, Its Future, Its Health Benefits
By Beverly Rorem
“Beverly Rorem’s Passion For Tea provides
wisdom by the cupful. If we all make a high quality tea an everyday
luxury as Beverly recommends, we are sure to grow healthier and
happier and more at ease in this world and this life we share.”
-John Harney, Master Tea Blender & Founder, Harney &
Sons Fine Teas
Tea
“is no longer just a beverage enjoyed by little old ladies.”
It is with this sentiment that Ms. Rorem opens her new book, Passion
For Tea. In twelve accessible and easy-to-read chapters,
the author delivers a brief beginner’s guide to tea. The
first three chapters are devoted to explaining the different types
of teas and providing instruction about brewing the perfect cup
of tea. The remaining chapters briefly touch on the world’s
tea-drinking cultures while gently addressing their contribution
to the historical significance of tea. The book concludes with
a brief chapter on the health benefits of tea. A good source for
those looking for a beginner’s guide to tea.
About
the Author:
Beverly Rorem is a student of tea, having enjoyed it
in more than twenty different countries and still learning. Born
in Illinois, she lived in San Francisco for twenty years, then
moved to Oklahoma City where she is a freelance writer, creative
writing teacher, essayist, and slowest-writing novelist in the
world.
Published
by AuthorHouse. May 4, 2008. Paperback; 104 pages; 8 1⁄2
x 11. ISBN 978-1434362940. Available in bookstores August 2008.
For more information visit www.passion4tea.com.
To order go to www.amazon.com.
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Who Killed the Darling Duke -
of Darjeeling?
Whodunit Fun For Tea Lovers
Maxine's
Mystery Tea Party creations provide everything you need to host
a murder mystery party for your family and friends. In this tea
party game everyone has a role to play, a unique identity, and a
script—but only one of the participants is guilty!
Designed
to accommodate 8 guests, a humorous script, with costume suggestions,
is sent along with the invitation to each guest (it is not necessary
to memorize the script). Fancy Frou Frou, Devon Shire, and Earlene
Grey are joined with Lady Tipton, CEO of the Tipton Tea Co., Rose
T. Cups, Paris Hall, and Lacy Frills. Each tells of their relationship
with the dastardly Duke and their motive for doing him in. But of
course, each one pleads their innocence. At the end of the party,
a vote is taken to determine who had the most convincing motive.
They then receive their "just rewards", a gift from the
hostess.
The
program comes complete with hostess instructions, invitations, place
cards and nametags. The place cards are numbered, so each knows
when to tell their story. Here’s a new, fun, interactive party
that your guests will love. $24.50 (plus shipping and handling.)
www.MysteryTeaParties.com.
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Save The Date for 2009! -
4th Annual Coffee & Tea Festival: April 18-19,
2009
Mark
your calendars and join us next year, April 18-19, 2009 for the
4th Annual Coffee & Tea Festival: NYC!
For exhibitor information & booth reservations, contact lyndac@starfishjunction.com
www.coffeeandteafestival.com
2009
Exhibitor Info Now Available
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