Black Rifle Coffee Company Brings Back Liberty Roast to Support Deployed Troops, Military Veterans

Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC), America's leading veteran-owned and operated coffee company, is bringing back one of its most popular and patriotic brews just in time for Independence Day. Now through July 11, each purchase of BRCC's iconic Liberty Roast -- online or in any BRCC shop -- will support the company's mission of donating 1 million cups of coffee to active-duty troops serving at home and overseas. Service members and first responders are welcome to stop by BRCC shops for a complimentary bag of coffee.

BRCC's Liberty Roast is a medium-bodied roast with hints of almond, honey, grapefruit, minimal acidity, and maximum freedom.

Soldiers' Angels, a non-profit organization that provides aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families, will support the effort by coordinating large-scale domestic and overseas coffee drops.  Select members of BRCC's Coffee Club will make coffee drops to service members in their own communities. 

"As a veteran-owned business, we're always looking for new ways to give back to the service community," said BRCC's Vice President of Marketing Molly Schweickert. "Independence Day is an opportunity for us to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in this country and to remember the men and women still serving under its flag. We're proud to be American, and we're proud to work with the BRCC community and partners like Soldiers' Angels to help fuel the men and women still sacrificing for our liberties." 

"Soldiers' Angels is honored to once again partner with BRCC and ensure we get Liberty Roast into the hands of as many service members and veterans as possible," said Amy Palmer, President and CEO of Soldiers' Angels. "It's through great partnerships like this one that we are able to continue our vision at Soldiers' Angels, May No Soldier Go Unloved."

BRCC is a mission-motivated company that exists to give back to active-duty service members, veterans, military families, and first responders. Last year, the company donated more than 6 million cups of coffee and $770,000 to the service community. 

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Enroot Launches with Wellness Teas Rooted in Heritage and Flavor

Enroot recently launched its much-anticipated line of small-batch, slowly cold brewed, organic sparkling teas. The new beverages, consisting of five unique blends, pay homage to co-founder Cristina Patwa's grandmother and her legacy as a farmer and food entrepreneur in the Philippines. Birthed in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, Enroot beverages are sustainably sourced and flavorfully combine organic teas, fruits and herbals to create a smooth, delicious tasting experience.

As the NEXTY award winner in Best New Organic Beverage, the sparkling wellness brews are thoughtfully crafted with chefs involved in the James Beard Foundation's Impact programs. The botanically packed blends use only organic teas, herbs, fruits and spices, and a 20-hour cold brew method that honors the rituals of brewing to deliver perfectly extracted flavors and wellness attributes. At only 25 calories per bottle – with no added sugar, sweetener or "flavors" – the lineup also offers a variety of clean caffeine options, from caffeine-free to ~ ½ espresso.

The Enroot collection of sparkling teas will be available at drinkenroot.com and at select grocers beginning in Southern California. Flavor profiles launching are:

• Relax: Strawberry Lavender Rosemary Tulsi
• Reenergize: Mango Turmeric Ginger Guyausa
• Revitalize: Raspberry Mint White Peony Tea
• Rejuvenate: Peach Hibiscus Jasmine Green Tea
• Revive: Apple Lemon Cayenne Yerba Mate

"This has been a three-year labor of love from leaf to bottle with a caring community of award-winning, pioneering chefs and skillful engineers, who developed our distinct brewing and batching method," said Enroot CEO Cristina Patwa. "The results are delightful, and we are grateful to be on this journey with friends who share similar values."

The female-led small business was founded by three friends, Cristina Patwa, John Fogelman and Brad Pitt, based on their shared passion for Food, Family and Farms, and a desire to help make a change in the food industry. As a public benefit corporation and pending certified B Corp, Enroot is a Sustaining Partner and proudly gives back to the James Beard Foundation's Women's Leadership Programs, which strives to address the lack of diversity and parity in the food and beverage industry.

"As admirers of the Foundation's advocacy work, we collectively wanted to create a brand that is rooted in good flavor and intent – particularly by having a strong connection to our health, the earth and each other now more than ever," said Pitt. 

"We are proud of our partnership with Enroot, and our shared values of advancing women and creating a world that is more delicious, diverse and sustainable," said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. "We remain committed to providing women with the tools they need to create the life they want and build back stronger than ever before."

Based and brewed in California, Enroot is the first start-up in food and beverage to create a comprehensive responsible sourcing policy with SCS Global Services, the trusted leader in third-party sustainability and food quality certification. Using plastic-free packaging, the company partners with its suppliers to carefully source quality organic ingredients and help reduce its carbon footprint.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Opens with Expanded Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique

When Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood reopened on June 26, Friends fans got a real treat. Located in Stage 48: Script to Screen, one of the many stops on the tour, guests can now enjoy a delicious New York deli-inspired menu including corned beef melts, pizza wedges, hot dogs, fries, and an assortment of salads, hot and cold sandwiches, and a special blend of Central Perk coffee with new Friends character-inspired beverages. For dessert, they have recreated Rachel's Thanksgiving trifle (no meat in this version), New York style cheesecake, Central Perk cupcakes, and other tasty bakery treats.

Guests then get to dine in recreated sets inspired by the show including Central Perk, Joey and Chandler's Apartment, or Monica's Apartment, where you can sit at the kitchen table or settle into her comfortable sofa. A variety of costumes worn by the cast are on display, and there are plenty of great photo opportunities throughout.

After dining, shop in the Friends boutique with exclusive merchandise found only at this location on the Studio Tour. The store has an exclusive collection of kitchen and dining ware, Monica's famous door frame, Friends reunion-inspired spirit jerseys and coffee mugs, and a wide range of other gifts, souvenirs, and collectibles. Central Perk coffee beans (only available at the Central Perk Café and Friends boutique) are also on sale for guests to enjoy a cup of joe at home.

Central Perk Café and the Friends boutique are only accessible with the purchase of a Studio Tour ticket. Opening June 26 on weekends, the tour will operate Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) beginning July 15. Tours depart every 30 minutes from 9:00AM to 3:30PM. The main WB Studio Store will be open to the public from 9:00AM to 8:00PM on days the tour is operating. SoCalresidents pay only $57 weekdays through September 30 (conditions apply, see website for details). Advanced booking is required. Tickets are $69 for adults 11+ and $59 for children ages 5–10 when booked online at www.wbstudiotour.com.

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Bigelow Tea: New Teas Featuring 100% Daily Recommended Dose of Vitamin C

Bigelow Tea, the number one specialty tea company in the United States, recently brought to market two new Bigelow plus Vitamin C teas to join their expanding line of specialty teas. As the leader in specialty tea, they know how important it is to stay healthy and support the immune system. That’s why they created these new teas which feature 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C in just one serving – a simple and delicious way to help the body’s defenses.

Now more than ever, consumers are seeking better-for-you ingredients that not only provide comfort but also deliver functional benefits. Bigelow brings innovation to both Green and Black tea with 100% daily value of healthy antioxidant Vitamin C. They’ve included highly sought-after ingredients long known for their beneficial properties, like Echinacea and the immensely popular super fruit, Elderberry. Citrus is also a natural way to support a healthy immune system. These two new Vitamin C teas join Bigelow’s I Love Lemon plus Vitamin C Herbal Tea already on grocery store shelves, a classic favorite among tea drinkers and lemon lovers.

· NEW! Bigelow Green Tea with Elderberry Plus Vitamin C Smooth green tea with a slightly tart berry flavor and a smoky finish
· NEW! Bigelow Lemon Echinacea Black Tea Plus Vitamin C A robust black tea with tart lemon and earthy Echinacea
· Bigelow I Love Lemon Herbal Tea Plus Vitamin C An invigorating herbal lemon tea with a fruity tart flavor

Bigelow’s Vitamin C teas combine the unbeatable flavor you have come to love and expect from a cup of Bigelow Tea with the added benefit of incredible immune support with the recommended daily serving of Vitamin C. Healthy never tasted so good!

Bigelow Tea has long been an innovator in the tea industry, introducing the first specialty tea in 1945 with the creation of its signature flavor, Constant Comment®. Since that time, Bigelow Tea has continued to push innovation in not only flavor, but also by creating functional teas that enhance consumers’ day-to-day lives.

“We’ve seen the demand for products that support a healthy lifestyle expand tremendously over the past few years” says Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of family-owned Bigelow Tea. “Tea has always been a source of comfort and well-being in the lives of our consumers. Expanding our line of Vitamin C teas recognizes our consumers desire to sustain a healthy immune system while embracing that moment of calm in their everyday lives through a delicious cup of our Bigelow plus Vitamin C teas.”

Bigelow Tea offers over 150 varieties tea, including top sellers like Lemon Ginger plus Probiotics. These teas are now available for purchase in stores and online on the Bigelow Tea company website (www.bigelowtea.com) and other select online retailers. The average suggested SRP is $3.19.

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Keep Chillin' All Summer with Dunkin's Cool New Brews

Dunkin' continues to go bold on cold this season, brewing a batch of new iced beverages perfect for every summer adventure and escape. The brand today introduced its new sun-sational selection of summer sips, launching Sunrise Batch Iced Coffee, Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam, and Smoked Vanilla Iced Latte at participating Dunkin' restaurants nationwide. For even more exciting and innovative choices, new ElectroBrew and Kombucha drinks are now on the menu at Dunkin' restaurants in select markets as well.

Building on the success of Dunkin's recently introduced Sunrise Batch Hot Coffee, new Sunrise Batch Iced Coffee is a medium roast featuring notes of cocoa and toasted nuts. The latest offering in Dunkin's new Limited Batch series, this bright and smooth, full-bodied coffee features beans sourced from the highly regarded coffee regions of Kenya and Latin America. To help every guest kick off the day with a perfect sunrise, Dunkin' is serving medium-sized iced and hot Sunrise Batch Coffee for the special price of $2, starting now and continuing through July 20.

Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam makes for a delicious part of any summer scene, featuring Dunkin's ultra-smooth, full-bodied Cold Brew with new Smoked Vanilla flavored syrup, topped with Sweet Cold Foam and hot chocolate powder. The smoky notes of Smoked Vanilla pair well with the chocolate notes in Dunkin's signature Cold Brew, while the Sweet Cold Foam adds marshmallow flavor to create a subtle, s'mores-like taste reminiscent of summer nights by a campfire.

For an espresso to go with any summer adventure, Dunkin's Smoked Vanilla Iced Latte blends the brand's rich, smooth espresso with Smoked Vanilla syrup. The bittersweet chocolate and dark caramel notes in Dunkin's signature espresso complement the Smoked Vanilla for subtle sweetness that, when finished with guests' dairy or dairy alternative of choice, create the ultimate summer sip.

Dunkin' Delivers More Drink Innovation for Select Cities

For an innovative and new feel-good boost to your day, ElectroBrew is charging onto Dunkin's line of Cold Brew beverages at select Dunkin' locations in Springfield, MA, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and West Palm Beach, FL. ElectroBrew is made by infusing ultra-smooth Cold Brew with refreshing coconut water for a subtly sweet taste and burst of electrolytes, with no added sugar for the fuel needed to take on the day.

Dunkin' continues to democratize delicious by testing Kombucha for the first time. This flavorful, fermented tea is a premium beverage that feels as good as it tastes. Made with prebiotics to help support gut health*, Dunkin' Kombucha is available in two varieties, Fuji Apple Berry flavor and Blueberry Lemon flavor, for a new way to refresh and reinvigorate on-the-go any time during a long summer day. Kombucha is available for a limited time at select Dunkin' restaurants in the Albany, NY and Charlotte, NC markets.

To learn more about Dunkin', visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com or subscribe to the Dunkin' blog to receive notifications at https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.

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The Tea Experience: Home Brewing for the Best

FOR SOOTHING HOT TEA:

The Four Golden Rules for a delicious cup of hot tea: (1) use a teapot, (2) bring fresh, cold tap water to a full boil (Note: If your water is heavily chlorinated or contains other objectionable odors, filter before boiling for best tasting tea); (3) use one teaspoon or one tea bag per cup; (4) pour boiling water over tea and brew by the clock 3 to 5 minutes and serve!

For the best flavor, preheat the teapot with a little hot water prior to use and cover your teapot with a cozy to retain heat during the brewing process.

REFRESHING ICED TEA:

For small quantities, proceed as for hot tea and pour over ice. For large quantities, prepare concentrate as follows:

Bring one quart of cold water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add 8-10 teabags per quart of brewed tea as desired. Steep 3-5 minutes and pour over remaining cold water or ice cubes. To serve, pour into tall glasses filled with ice, garnish or sweeten as desired.

SPECIAL GUIDELINES FOR GREEN TEA:

When water comes to a boil, remove from the source of heat and allow to sit for ten minutes. Pour this hot water over the Green Tea and allow to brew for approximately one minute and serve. (Note: The brewing times may be shortened or lengthened according to your taste)

SPECIAL GUIDELINES FOR ‘BIG’ OOLONGS & WHITE TEAS:

The best thing to say when dealing with any tea is – the larger and more delicate looking the leaf, the lower the water temperature. Usually, you will want to use between 180-190 degree water for big oolongs and white teas. Black teas need much hotter water for proper extraction. Boiling water will scorch a bold leaf like white tea.

Time is a little different since oolongs will need to steep a bit longer than white tea – oolongs 5-7 minutes, white tea 3-4 minutes. Of course, all of this may be modified according to your own personal taste. These instructions are only to be used as a starting point.

Everyone should adjust time, temperature and amount of tea up and down until they find their perfect pot.

Source:  Tea Association of the U.S.A.

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