Who Invented ice Tea?

It is believed that iced tea was invented in 1904, at the St. Louis World's Fair, by a British tea merchant named Richard Blechynden. While he may have helped popularize iced tea, "tea punches", alcoholic versions of iced tea, were served decades earlier in the United States. At least one late 19th century cookbook includes a recipe for iced tea.

Interestingly, about 80 percent of the tea served in the United States today is iced tea. In the southern states of the US sweet tea is preferred. Iced tea is not just a summer staple but a year round drink.

Any tea can be made as an iced tea. The most common tea brewed for iced tea is Orange Pekoe; black tea.

Iced tea is traditionally served in the United States with lemon slice used as a garnish, which is often placed on the rim of the glass.

Iced tea can also be brewed by placing tea bags (or loose tea) in a large glass container with water and leaving the container in the sun for a number of hours.

Sweet tea is tea brewed very strong with a large amount of sugar added while the tea is still hot. The mixture of sugar and tea is then diluted with water, served over ice, and garnished with lemon. Sometimes the diluted mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature. Other times the sugar and tea mixture is not diluted at all but poured hot over a full tumbler of ice to cool and dilute it.

In Taiwan bubble tea is served. Bubble tea is a strong black tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk. It is served cold usually with tapioca pearls.

Try a cold Chai Latte this holiday season. Brew a creamy Vanilla Chai from Teaporia as directed, cool to room temperature, add half and half and ice. Makes a wonderful drink choice during your holiday party.

Choose your favorite tea flavor at Teaporia and create your preferred year round drink.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
Teaporia by Tea Time with Liv