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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Easy Breezy Iced Green Tea for Summer

posted by Cassie Piper Social Media Coordinator for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Green tea may be my favorite type and making Summer Iced Tea out of it was easy breezy! Michelle demonstrates that with a few fresh cut strawberries and a splash of sparkling mineral water, you can really transform your iced tea into a tasty and truly beautiful summer beverage.

Also, side note - Michelle wanted me to mention that when brewing green tea, the optimal temperature is actually lower than boiling and should be closer to 185 degrees.

Something I also wanted to mention is that these recipes are great for full pitchers of iced tea. Michelle follows the recipe for a single serving, but all you need to do is triple the fresh ingredients and allow them time to infuse within the pitcher. You can pour each glass and top them off with the sparkling mineral water to keep the bubbles fresh.

Blog Giveaway Q: What’s your favorite base iced tea? Black, green or fruit? Leave your response below and we’ll pick 3 people at random to receive a tin of their favorite base tea.


Blog Giveaway terms and conditions: The contest begins upon posting of the blog announcing the Contest and ends at 12 p.m.. PST the following Wednesday. To enter, you must post a comment and answer the question posed in the blog, providing a valid email address. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Contest limited to U.S. only., One contest entry per email address. Odds of winning depend on the number of valid entries received. Sponsors clock will determine winner. List of winners available upon request by contacting Sponsor. Prizes subject to change without notice. Sponsor may notify winner via email: if winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of being e-mailed, Sponsor will pick a new winner. Prize shipped at no cost to U.S. Residents. Contest Sponsor: International Coffee & Tea, LLC d/b/a The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® 1945 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038.
*We picked our winners using the random number generator at random.org. Congratulations! We have your email address and we’ll contact you about your prize shortly.


Monday, August 29, 2011

StageIt Stands Up to Cancer

From the StageIt crew posted on https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257763204248920


Come join us all day on August 30th as Stageit Stands Up To Cancer! Look for the green and pink ribbon show in the picture to see the artists that are participating!

Watch some of your favorite Stageit artists:

Rachel Platten
Jenny Owen Youngs w/ Everyone Is Gay
Don Schlitz
Stacy Clark

Jeremy McComb
Jenna Bryson

Larry Bagby
Evan Lowenstein
Eric Himan
Luca Longobordi
Louis Grassi
Noah Guthrie
Frank Palangi
Mike Pearce
Mike Vavrek
Celeste
Brian Hagene
Jack & Diane
David Martinez
And many more!!!

We're hosting the Stageit Stands Up To Cancer benefit night in honor of one of our coworker's mother just passing away from her fight with lung cancer.

Below is a message from Laura McDonald, a Stageit employee:

As you may or may not know, on July 2nd I lost my mom to lung cancer. She was my hero, my best friend, and my #1 fan. She fought an incredibly hard battle, and for one year after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, she got to live an almost normal life. Through lung cancer research, they developed a drug called Tarceva, which was a chemo pill that my mom took daily to shrink and maintain her cancer. She was able to drive, travel, live, and take care of everyone in her life, especially her grandchildren and also, well, me. My mom was adamant about donating to cancer research, and encouraged others to do the same, as that’s where she felt that our money had the most direct effect.

To honor my mom, and everyone else who has been affected by cancer of any kind, we are hosting a Stageit Stands Up To Cancer night on Tuesday, August 30th. We are inviting artists to play a show, whether it’s one song or ten, from wherever they are, whenever they can, to help raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research. I would be honored if you would participate. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Lung Cancer Colorado Fund in my mom, Debbie McDonald’s, name.

We all have been affected in some way by cancer. We all can make a difference. Thank you for lending your talents to this important cause close to my heart. It means everything to me.

With love,
Laura

====================================

If you are an artist who would like to participate in this event, please feel free to contact artists@stageit.com!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Coffee Bean Newbie - Chris Kirby Performs LIVE!

He's a witty, spitey, pasty white kid from the woods whose style is simply addictive. With his new record, entitled Vampire Hotel, Chris Kirby gets down to business playing funky piano, saucy guitar, and singing as if the fate of his own mother hangs on every word.
After a quick interview with Chris before his StageIt performance tonight, we came to find out, he's also a Newbie!
CB: Coffee or Tea?
Chris: Coffee! Unless I have a cold... then it's tea with honey in it.
CB: When did you first discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
Chris: I'm about to make my first trip to LA, and thus have my very first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf experience! I discovered The Coffee Bean through my friends at Stageit.com.
CB: What is your favorite drink from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
Chris: Since I'm about to have my first experience, I'll have to get back to you on this! I will make it a point to try as many drinks as I can!
CB: If you could create a new drink, what would the ultimate main ingredient be?
Chris: The main ingredient in my drink would be Screech - that's a famous dark rum from my home in Newfoundland. In cocktails, deserts or hot beverages, Screech is the tastiest ingredient I know of!
CB: Create your best tagline using "Stageit" and "The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf"
Chris: Wake up your soul with Stageit and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf!
August 25 - Chris Kirby -- 7pm
445 N. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills CA, 90210

Artist info:

"What's Steeping" with David De Candia


By David De Candia - Director of Tea for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
From The Tea Specialist Newsletter, August Edition
I have been asked to judge many US based tea competitions over the last 14 years. It is always a great honor to be a part of a very special and important event.

Recently I was asked to Judge my third Hong Kong International Tea Fair for 2011.

I was part of a panel of six judges: the Director of The World Tea Union, Asst Director of the Sri Lankan Tea Board, Professor Chinese Mainland, President of the Taiwan Tea Science Society, and the President of the Chinese Tea Association. Two of these judges started with me three years ago in this competition.

The categories we judged are as follows: Black Tea, Aged Tea (Pu-er), Green Tea and Oolong Tea. We had one hundred and twenty samples to taste. The judging criteria was dry leaf shape, steeped color, steeped aroma, steeped flavor and steeped leaf shape. Each criteria carries a different percentage weight in the judging. This judging is a blind competition of course. I was selected as the chief.

There is no question that I love doing this type of competition. In addition, as usual I was given a translator to communicate with the other judges.

Winners of the competition were announced at a reception the next day at the Tea Fair.

Many tea professionals will tell you that there is something very special about tasting and discussing tea with fellow tea professionals. Whether you’re a Tea Guru or Tea Master or Director of Tea, the connection is there. When you see your fellow judges you’re reminded of last years’ experience and in-depth discussions of tea that tend to go on for hours into the night.

I’m looking forward to 2012.

– David De Candia

David De Candia - second in on the right, stands with the panel of judges for the Hong Kong International Tea Fair 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

English Breakfast with a Splash or Two!

posted by: Cassie Piper Social Media Coordinator for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
When I’m in the Test Kitchen with Michelle, I am truly inspired. She took our most basic black tea – English Breakfast and created four completely different and unique variations that had me screaming summer! Not only did they taste like summer, they looked like I should be sipping these sitting in a hammock on the beach or poolside at a spa resort.
Michelle is the genius here, she created all of these recipes for you and all I had to do is pour the iced tea! Now that’s what I love about our Summer Iced Tea Video Series, she makes it so easy to recreate these at home with just a few simple ingredients that you can buy at any grocery store or a Farmer’s Market.
I just had to try the Spa Inspired Iced Tea recipe and absolutely loved the Strawberry Lemonade Iced Tea.
BLOG GIVEAWAY:
Which English Breakfast Iced Tea recipe would you like to recreate at home? Leave your response below and we’ll pick 4 people at random to receive a tin of our English Breakfast tea.
*We've extended our blog giveaway so that everyone has at least a week to enter. Make sure to check back on last week's blog giveaway to see if you've won.


Blog Giveaway terms and conditions: The contest begins upon posting of the blog announcing the Contest and ends at 12 p.m.. PST the following Wednesday. To enter, you must post a comment and answer the question posed in the blog, providing a valid email address. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Contest limited to U.S. only., One contest entry per email address. Odds of winning depend on the number of valid entries received. Sponsors clock will determine winner. List of winners available upon request by contacting Sponsor. Prizes subject to change without notice. Sponsor may notify winner via email: if winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of being e-mailed, Sponsor will pick a new winner. Prize shipped at no cost to U.S. Residents. Contest Sponsor: International Coffee & Tea, LLC d/b/a The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® 1945 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038.

*We picked our winners using the random number generator at random.org. Congratulations! We have your email address and we’ll contact you about your prize shortly.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Our Soldier of the Week: Specialist Zachary Thomas Shubinski


Steve Shubinski shows his Support from Home
 You may have noticed our stores hiding under all of that camouflage this summer as we rally our friends and family to Support our Troops overseas. For our fans on Facebook, we’ve extended the celebration by highlighting a Soldier of the Week as our profile photo. Each week we choose a service person in any branch to share our thanks within the community.

This week we have an extra special submission from one of our own District Managers Steve Shubinski. Steve has been a huge advocate of our Support from Home mission and shares his own thanks from his family and his son who currently serves our country.

Soldier of the Week

“My son, Specialist Zachary Thomas Shubinski is a member of the 222 Brigade in the 10th Mountain Division out of Ft. Drum New York.  Zach enlisted a few days after his 18th birthday and entered basic training in July of 2008.  His chosen “MOS” was a forward observer.  He was deployed to Afghanistan in January of 2010 and returned home in November 2010.  I am happy to say that Zach has developed quite a liking both for coffee and tea in the army.  In Afghanistan he drank quite a bit of Chai which is a sweetened black tea.  Now that he is home, one of his requests is for us to send him and his wife Jessica a regular supply of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee!  Thank you for your service son.  Your Mom and I are very proud of you!” - Steve Shubinski

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

How to Make Iced Tea, oh and Have You Met Michelle?

posted by: Cassie Piper Social Media Coordinator for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
It’s been a HOT summer so far and it’s just the beginning of August! While looking for ways to cool down and debating on whether or not to run out to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf up the street from my house, I thought why don’t I just make a pitcher of iced tea at home? 
Sure, I’ve bought those fancy tea tins from our stores and they’ve been sitting in my cupboard for the nights I need something soothing to help induce sleep, but I had never considered making iced tea with them. Then I thought, if only Michelle Stene were here, she could show me how.. she could show everyone! And so, the Summer Iced Tea Video Series was created.
Michelle Stene is my inspiration in the culinary world. As I mention in the video, Michelle is one of our magic makers at the company aka Director of Product Development. I have to admit, I’m a little envious of her job, which to me sounds like she’s playing around in the test kitchen all day and I tease her for it in the video. In reality, she comes to work every day infusing all of her brilliance and talents into those tasty beverages you crave in our stores.
I knew she could help with this project, and sure enough she was more than willing to show me and YOU how to brew the perfect iced tea at home. Our Summer Iced Tea Video Series starts you out with the basics; how to brew the perfect black, green and fruit iced teas.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, she’ll show you some delicious and beautiful ways to take your iced tea to the next level for any sweet summer occasion. We’ve created three more videos that follow this introduction where we really focus on each unique tea profile and their complimentary flavors. Watch all three to get some great ideas for summer, plus we have some tasty tea to give away!
Michelle and I were actually a little nervous to be on camera but we would love to hear your feedback. I told Michelle you would tweet her all of your questions, so don’t forget to show her some love @CBTLMichelle.
And just for you, we have some fun tea items to give away! We'll pick 3 participants at random to receive our handy dandy tea timer.

Watch the Introduction video to our Summer Iced Tea Series below. Answer the following question and submit your response in the comments, make sure to read the terms & conditions!





Question: What is the steeping time for each tea?
·         Black/Oolong
·         Green
·         Fruit Infusion



Blog Giveaway terms and conditions: The contest begins upon posting of the blog announcing the Contest and ends at 12 p.m.. PST the following Wednesday. To enter, you must post a comment and answer the question posed in the blog, providing a valid email address. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Contest limited to U.S. only., One contest entry per email address. Odds of winning depend on the number of valid entries received. Sponsors clock will determine winner. List of winners available upon request by contacting Sponsor. Prizes subject to change without notice. Sponsor may notify winner via email: if winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of being e-mailed, Sponsor will pick a new winner. Prize shipped at no cost to U.S. Residents. Contest Sponsor: International Coffee & Tea, LLC d/b/a The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® 1945 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038.

*We picked our winners using the random number generator at random.org. Congratulations! We have your email address and we’ll contact you about your prize shortly.



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Ryan Calhoun LIVE at The Coffee Bean®

We love Ryan Calhoun and we were so excited to see him perform live at our Los Feliz location on Hillhurst Ave. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening, sunny with clear skies, just got out of work and headed straight down Sunset to see the show.
When we arrived, the StageIt crew was setting up and Ryan Calhoun sat strumming a few tunes for his sound check. Dallas and Asher completed the musical trio which was a pleasant surprise as we had only expected a solo performance. The patio at this location was the perfect setting for a hot cup of tea or coffee with Ryan singing his heart out to the crowd and the computer.
The StageIt Concert Series has made our summer in LA pretty exciting and we hope you’ve had the chance to come out to at least one performance or stream it in real time on your computer.

All of the artists that StageIt books for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® series are truly talented and Ryan proved to be no exception. The best part about this concert series is that ANYONE can join us and stream the performance live through StageIt.com so it was really cool to see everyone chatting online about how gorgeous and of course talented Ryan was, we thought so too!

So what did you think of Ryan Calhoun? Should we invite him back to play for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®?
http://ryancalhounmusic.com/

If you missed our interview with Ryan last week, check it out below. You can stay on top of our Concert Series schedule on Facebook.com/thecoffeebean or at Stageit.com/theCoffeeBean.