Concerns Raised Over Tea Flavor Name
Dickinson College Dining Services has removed a popular tea flavor following concerns raised over the name of the variety. Named “Plantation Mint,” possible racial connotations led to the product’s removal from dining services locations.
In an email, Director of Dining Services Errol Huffman explained that concerns over the name of tea were raised over the summer by Student Senate Director of Inclusivity Kaliph Brown ’20. He explained that he “connected [Brown] with president of Bigelow Teas, Cindi Bigelow so they could discuss the issue.” Huffman added that dining services “opted not to carry this variety out of sensitivity” regarding the possible connotation.
In an email, Daniel Gomes, a customer service manager of the Bigelow Tea confirmed that Brown had indeed spoken to Bigelow, explaining “Cindi [Bigelow] had a lovely conversation with Kaliph Brown [‘20], […] they talked about the fact how we recognize the impact this name has on people based on our country’s history.”
Brown explained that, following a conversation with Bigelow, the company has recognized the issue, and is “working towards changing the name [of the variety].”
Gomes noted that the company is aware of the concerns raised of the name of the tea variety, saying “we are having this conversation here at Bigelow” and that the company is “actively working to find a thoughtful solution to honor Mrs. Bigelow’s love for this tea while remaining sensitive to how the name is perceived.”
Gomes and Brown both noted that “Plantation Mint” was a tea named by the current CEO’s mother, which has been a factor in delaying the change of name. The delay is “because of sentimental concerns between [Bigelow] and her mother,” explained Brown.
“As shared in their conversation, this was the one tea Eunice Bigelow both created and named over 50 years ago,” Gomes added. He continued that the name was influenced “based on her [Eunice Bigelow’s] love for the tea gardens around the world, which are still called plantations.” However, Gomes added that that sentiment “does not take away from how others feel about the name.”
“We are confident we will do this in the very near future.” Gomes said. Brown added that, according to Bigelow, a “new name [for the variety] should be in rotation by fall of next year.”
Rose • Nov 11, 2023 at 1:32 pm
It is ridiculous the amount of incredulous ignorance and whitewashing is seen in these comments. I’m glad they changed the name.
Dr. Patricia Burke • Apr 12, 2021 at 8:21 pm
I was at Target and thought I’d grab that T I like the best and noticed the classic green and black Bigelow tea box, named ‘Perfectly Mint ‘ …it also said classic in two different places so I guessed the name had been changed like the name of the state I live in has been changed. I Googled it when I got home and found cut off I was right so everybody that’s worried that they their tea is gone it isn’t.
Dee Paradis • Mar 4, 2021 at 3:36 pm
Still the same great tea, but I will be shaking my head in amazement as I sip it.
What is this world coming to? Is nothing sacred?
Brenda Ellebracht • Feb 14, 2021 at 9:52 am
Racism can go both ways though! Black history is also being destroyed, along with other history and even christian history, thinking abortion is okay if it’s your body! God gave you that body to take care of, and the innocent being also! From large to smaller concerns. The fight will never completely end…. till the end of all! It just takes certain people to keep things going, instead of trying to get along! We all will stand before Jesus Christ on judgement day, end of conversation! God Bless everyone!
Jeanine Berthet • Jan 10, 2021 at 12:54 am
I love plantation mint tea. I guess it just takes one little whiner to make people think it’s a problem. I just shake my head at the people out there that have nothing better to do than be offended by a tea name. How ridiculously immature. If that’s a problem then you don’t have any problems . Ridiculous. It makes me not want to drink it anymore because now I’m not enjoying it I’m mad because you rolled over to a whiner.
Joe Jefe • Dec 27, 2020 at 6:08 pm
The country is getting way too PC and people are becoming so thin skinned it is incredible!
Lydia A. Douglas • Aug 30, 2020 at 10:51 pm
I called Cindy Bigelow and spoke to her at length about how offensive the name of their Plantation Mint tea was. I told her how it made me think of all of my ancestors and black and brown people all over the world toiled and sweat and died on plantations. Told her how conditions on all plantations are horrific. Long hours. Hot sun. Low pay. And I am sure sexual exploitation of the workers. So it’s not “just a name”.
She said she wouldn’t change the name because it paid homage her mother or grand mother, just like I was paying homage to my ancestors by speaking out in their behalf. (Paraphrasing)
Now, not only was I being insulted by the name of the tea, she equated keeping the name as something similar to my reverence for my ancestors. The obvious difference that she failed to see is that my ancestors were tortured on the plantations, while her mother held nostalgic fantasies of life on the plantation. Ugh!
That was 2years ago. I know my conversation, others as well, laid the foundation for the most recent conversation that persuaded her to change her mind and and rename the tea.
I strongly suspect that the threat of losing money from the refusal of the college to sell that tea on their campus made the most impact. I am glad that finally she changed the name.
Tea advocate • Feb 3, 2020 at 11:45 am
Are… are you kidding? that was the best flavor. Wild.