This Citrus & Spice Banana Bread is infused with "Constant Comment"® black tea from Bigelow. Warm and cozy, this moist tea bread is perfect to serve around the holiday season. Get the recipe and enter my Bigelow Tea giveaway!..
Bigelow Tea Giveaway. Enter to win a 64-tea bag tea chest from Bigelow. Retail value: $54.95 - this variety chest includes my favorites: "Constant Comment," Earl Grey, Sweet Dreams and more! GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.
Tea Memories. When I was a kid I loved tea. And I have carried that childhood love and "tea habit" with me into adulthood. Tea happily seems to blend into most every time of day. Stimulating black tea or chai in the morning and late afternoon. Soothing herbal teas when I am feeling calm or before bed. And my favorite bedtime teas to usher me into dreamland.
There are so many tea brands on store shelves these days, but it is always comforting to return to a childhood favorite. For my house, our tea of choice was Bigelow.
We always had a box of the Bigelow variety pack on our countertop right next to the stove. I'd open the box and skim my fingertips through the packets, all shiny and crisp, and search for my absolute favorite flavor. That bright crimson colored “Constant Comment” tea bag. Those citrus and spice flavors wafted through the air and made me feel all cozy and warm from the inside out. I never knew what the name stemmed from, but it always intrigued me. It conjured up images of girlfriends chatting at tea time.
Did you love tea as a kid? Did you have Bigelow around your house too? Some fun facts on the name and brand follow the recipe below.
So when Bigelow asked me to create a custom recipe inspired by one of their teas, I was more than excited to revisit my childhood tea memories and remind myself why I loved “Constant Comment”® so much!
This “Constant Comment” tea-infused Banana Bread is cozy and sweet with flavors of citrus, cinnamon and banana. It pairs deliciously with a cup of tea or cocoa. Plus this bread baking in the oven will fill your house with an amazing scent. Some people like to burn candles to create a holiday aroma in their house - well skip the candle and just bake this bread!
I LOVED this recipe so much I have baked it three times since my first recipe test! One loaf was a gift and the other two my husband and I gobbled down. (My second test run I added in some diced apple which was a delicious add-in.)
“Constant Comment” Tea-Infused Citrus Spice Banana Bread
vegan, makes one loaf
dry:
1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ cup rolled oats (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
banana/liquid mix:
1 ½ bananas, mashed
¼ cup virgin coconut oil, melted
¼ cup orange or tangerine juice + ¼ teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon flax seeds
¾ cup boiling water + 1 “Constant Comment” tea bag (steeped tea)
topping:
sprinkle of sugar + sprinkle of citrus zest + sprinkle of cinnamon
optional add-in's:
* ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans would be perfect!)
* ½ cup diced apple (I tried this on my second time testing the recipe and it was amazing.)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Heat ¾ cup of water in microwave or boil on stove. Add the "Constant Comment" tea bag and allow to steep for about five minutes - until dark amber gold in color.
4. In a small bowl, combine the tea, mashed banana, oil, vanilla extract, flax seeds and orange juice + zest. Mash this all together to soften the bananas even more. This mixture should be warm from the hot tea.
5. Pour the banana mixture into the large mixing bowl and fold until well combined.
6. Grease a standard loaf pan. Pour the batter into the pan.
7. Top the batter with a sprinkle of sugar, cinnamon and orange zest.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until cooked through.
9. Allow to coo before slicing and serving.
Optional: This loaf is pretty dreamy all on its own, but if desired you can whip up a cream cheese drizzle to pour over top!..
"Cream Cheese" Glaze for Bread
makes about ¾ cup of glaze
½ cup vegan cream cheese
¼ maple or agave syrup
¼ cup powdered sugar, organic
pinch of salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla or orange extract
Soften the cream cheese and beat all ingredients together until silky. Place in fridge until ready to serve over top a warm slice of tea bread.
Bigelow history.. The company was founded by Ruth C. Bigelow in the late 1940s, based on a recipe she marketed as "Constant Comment" tea. Bigelow is a 100% family-owned business that markets over 50 varieties of tea, all of which are still blended in Fairfield, Connecticut.
And that "Constant Comment" name?.. According to Wikipedia.. "One of Mrs. Bigelow's Park Avenue friends was giving an afternoon party, and it was suggested she try the new blend. Not a word was said to the guests regarding its novelty, yet everyone spoke of the tea's aroma, its flavor—there was “constant comment.”"
Learn more about Bigelow online!..
Bigelow Website and Bigelow's Blog
Bigelow on Facebook
Find Bigelow on: Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest
Photos courtesy of Bigelow...
Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Bigelow, but opinions are my own.
Taylor says
Hi Kathy I just want to say that I love this banana bread! It is so unique with the combination of citrus and the constant comment tea. It is so cozy and perfect for a cold winter day. I am a huge fan of your blog and I've been following for many years since I went vegan and always share when recommending blogs to people curious about eating plant based. Thanks for all the cooking inspiration! 🙂
Tiffany Nash says
Ha! I just found a huge stash of constant comment tea and wondered what I was going to do with it. (It was a craving I had when I was pregnant.) Coincidentely, I also have a large bunch of very ripe bananas. So glad I came across your site! Thanks.
Taylor says
Wow I believe this is the best banana bread I've ever made! I picked up a box of the constant comment tea (I'd never had it before) and I love it 🙂
Vegas and Food says
I like earl grey
Michael Brana says
Peppermint.
Taylor says
Spiced Chai
Nathan Rice says
Earthy Green Tea is my favorite.
Cris Smith says
Irish Breakfast is my fave.
3stairs says
Earl Grey is my favorite.
Rachel says
Mint!
Janet Childers Hudson says
I like a variety.
Carolann Leibenguth says
Orange spice
Marlete Ledford says
Spiced Chai
Patricia Lindner Coulter says
Wild Blueberry with Acai
Margie Young says
Constant Comment is my favorite !! Love your little pans, too cute !!
Lisa Nicole Paone says
Earl Gray!
Sandi Hall says
I love Orange & Spice!
shantelle stately says
lemon
Cindyvon says
Plantation Mint!
Emily Koo says
Spiced chai!
Nena Sinclair says
Wild Blueberry with Acai
Annmarie Weeks says
I love Constant Comment!
sandra davis says
i like the Green Tea
Paula Mullins Feldman says
English Breakfast in my fav.
Jennifer says
I love Ginger Snappish
Chris Flannery says
Irish Breakfast
Emily Boyd says
Hmm..how can I choose a favorite flavor? I am a big fan of green tea and lemon tea...
Sara Sweatman says
Earl Grey!
ChristineSavinelli says
My favorite is Constant Comment!
Tammy Schweitz says
Earl Grey is my favorite
Holly Krasna Wilson says
tea is nice especially free tea
debra pauley says
Lemon Lift for me.
kat32605 says
My favorite depends on my mood, but lemon lift sounds good right now.
Sharon Bowers Cernik says
Lemon Lift for me.
samantha mchenry says
my son says his fav is mint this would def be for him part of his bday he really loves his hot teas
Lori Peery Davis says
I would hate to have to pick just one. I love Chai as of today but tomorrow that could change. I drink coffee in the AM and tea the rest of the day.
sandra says
my favorite is earl grey
Debbie Clauer says
I love Chai tea.
Pat Bell Barragan says
Vanilla Chai
cathicarpenter says
My favorite lately has been a seasonal one they did at Valentines! A Cinnamon "heart" one.. and then my always-go-to is Lemon Lift!
bootswon says
I hope to win so I may try all of these! Thanks connie danielson
Glenda Sykes says
Constant Comment
Katelin Johnnie Phillips says
The Vanilla Chai is my husband and I's favorite!
JacquelineDesireePunzo says
Sweet Dreams is my favorite! I always add a fresh mint leaf to it since i grow it! 🙂
Dalores says
I like the sweet dreams.
Kimberley Anne says
Earl Grey!!! YUM!
Dani H says
My favorite Bigelow Tea since the 1980's has been "Constant Comment" ~ I LOVE it!
Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
Laura says
Mint Medley 🙂
Rene Meyers says
Vanilla Chai! Thank u!! 🙂
Lisa P says
I really like Earl Grey. Thanks for the giveaway!
Veronica says
You are my absolute hero!!!! Constant Comment is my all time favorite tea EVER. I am in heaven! I can't wait to try this recipe! THANK YOU!!
heidi says
We made this for a holiday tea yesterday and it was great--thanks so much for the good recipe! (Next I'll try it with gluten-free flours--was too chicken the first time out!
Jessica Caneal says
Earl Grey!
disqus_kejP4cDbap says
Vanilla Chai is my favorite!
Kathy Patalsky says
Do you mean to re warm it up on Xmas morning? That works. It reheats very nicely. Even slices popped in the microwave to reheat! Oven even better.
Alex Wegner says
I was thinking about having this on Christmas morning, would it work if I made it the day before, kept it in the fridge and cooked it on Christmas morning???
Guest says
Spiced Chai and Green Tea is my favorite!!
disqus_WKDSZARNzR says
Spiced Chai is my favorite!!
rrnancyr says
Constant Comment is a long time favorite of mine.
Holly says
I still like Constant Comment and I love their Green Tea blends.
Katie Contest says
My favorite is French Vanilla!
disqus_83h72iT6Zr says
mmmmm, i especially love vanilla - caramel flavored tea.
saniel says
peppermint
Blessie Nelson says
Early grey Tea!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Brittney! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Brittney says
I made this bread last night and it is delicious! Even my non-vegans roommates loved it, and we all loved the amazing spiced smell that spread through our apartment. Thanks so much for another amazing recipe!
Audrey says
Spiced decaf chai
Maria says
Definitely vanilla chai.
Kayla says
I like the peach tea!
Beth Ⓥ says
I've always been a fan of Perfect Peach tea! yum!
Kerry says
Constant Comment was always my favorite. I love the sweet, spicy orange flavor. I bet it's wonderful in this bread. I can't wait to try it!
Margee says
That bread looks delicious! I never baked with tea before but I will try this. I love all kinds of tea.
Erica Wollman says
vanilla chai!
Jessica says
Spiced vanilla chai. Hands down!
penny says
spiced vanilla chai is so great on a winter morning!
April Grace Paik says
I love their mint tea! Thanks for the giveaway!
Eeee says
Organic Ceylon!
a happy cyclist says
I think my favorite has to be Earl Grey tea. It's soothing and great when studying.
Laura Klebs says
I love Bigelow's Earl Grey tea. There isn't a supermarket Earl Grey that can touch it! Thank you for the chance to win.
Jessica C. says
I love the Sweet Dreams tea!!!
Brittney says
Cinnamon is definitely my favorite! I make tea lattes with frothed almond milk and the cinnamon tea, plus a little vanilla and a dash of cinnamon on top. Delicious!
Kathy Patalsky says
I think VF flour would work beautifully!
Sent from my iPad
Roxanne says
i am obsessed with tea. and since giving up coffee about 2 months ago, tea has been a savior throughout the day, whether caffeinated or un caffeinated. I love the constant comment with a splash of almond milk and agave. oooooo heaven.
this bread looks amazing, i'll be making one for a gluten free friend, do you think subbing all purpose GF flour will work in this recipe?
thanks!
Leslie Kowash says
Constant Comment was the tea I started with and has remained my favorite!
Kathlene Wolkenhauer-Hein says
Sweet Dreams is wonderful!
Marlies Hager says
Vanilla chai is soo tasty!
Marion Millan says
Vanilla Chai
Melwyk says
So excited by this recipe -- I have always loved Constant Comment, my best friend and I would drink it constantly all through high school and it still makes me think of her! Plus the recipe is vegan, so it makes me very happy as I bake vegan these days.
Devon McKain says
I love the vanilla chai! It's my favorite flavor.
Kayla M. says
My favorite flavor is vanilla chai!
BarrAndTable says
I like the cinnamon but I'd love try the vanilla chai!
Stephanie Wolfgang says
Sweet Dreams is my favorite! Great post-dinner/sleep-inducing tea. 🙂
Tonya Dirksen says
I've always loved peppermint but now I'm curious about Constant Comment!
Cynthia Winter says
I love Constant Comment. I have been drinking it for about the last 30 years. Thanks for the recipe. I loved reading where the name came from.
Kim Carter Castor says
Definitely Constant Comment!
Rachel H says
Great timing! I just finished my box of Constant Comment tea a few days ago. Now I have a good excuse to buy some more!