Landline or cell phone, the busiest day of the year for all phone companies is the second Sunday of May. That’s because it’s Mother’s Day: time to call Mom and tell her how special she is to us.

Ever since President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation in 1914 making the second Sunday in May a time to honor all mothers, we've been using telegram offices, telephone companies, email servers, and the good old U.S. Post Office to send messages of love and affection to dear Mom.

No matter how old you are, you’re still her special son or daughter, so tell her how much she means to you by stopping by for tea time Sunday, May 13th and present one of these tea gifts to her in person, or order online for delivery before Mother's Day. And here’s a hint: forget the text or email and make a personal phone call so she can hear your warm voice acknowledging all the wonderful things she’s done for you over the years.

Remembering Mom, Auntie, and Grandma
We recognize that some of us no longer have moms in our lives or some of us were raised by other just-as-special women, so make this a day to honor the treasured memory of those women who have graced your lives... more >

Several years ago I lost a great deal of weight. While there were several factors that led to my weight loss, the loss coincided with my decision to start drinking tea instead of high-calorie beverages. As a result, lots of people have asked me about using tea for weight loss.

The Idea

The notion that tea is good for losing weight isn’t a new one: For years I’ve been seeing ads promoting so-called “diet teas” that will help people shed 50 pounds after a single gulp.

(Not really, but you get the picture.)

Tabloids often feature articles on “green tea” or “oolong” diets that encourage readers to drink lots of tea for weight loss while following a calorie restricted meal plan. Unfortunately, many people end up disillusioned by these plans and products when they don’t work.

The Science

Responsible scientists and medical professionals are in full agreement: There is no magic bullet for weight loss. No matter how much tea you drink, if you don’t adjust your eating and exercise habits, you won’t lose weight... more >

Spring is such a special time for tea lovers: the seasons are changing, everything is blossoming, and the first twinkles of the year's tea crop are in our eyes.

Casual tea drinkers may not realize that tea is only harvested at certain times of the year. Some are picked only in the spring; others twice or three times during the year, with crops picked in the summer or fall; and very few are even harvested year-round. In any case, tea is a special, time-sensitive crop whose taste will change with the seasons, and spring teas are often considered the best of the crop. Knowing when your tea was harvested lets you know a bit about what to expect in terms of flavor.

The first harvest of the year is called the "first flush". From Darjeelings, to sencha, to many Chinese green teas, first flush is considered to be the best for a number of teas. The first leaves to sprout forth after winter dormancy (in temperate growing areas) are usually very fresh and floral. The spring harvest begins at different times in different countries or regions... more >