The Discovery of
Iced Tea
Iced tea is a popular beverage offered in many variations around the world. Its history is relatively recent compared to hot tea, which has been consumed for thousands of years. Here is a brief presentation of the history of iced tea:
Early 20th century: Iced tea is believed to have first appeared in the USA in the early 20th century. One of the prevalent stories suggests that an English-American tea merchant named Richard Blechynden tried to promote his tea at an exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904, during a heatwave. When he realized that visitors did not want a hot drink, he decided to cool it with ice. The beverage became instantly popular.
Cooling
the World
1920-1930s: As refrigeration technology began to become more accessible, iced tea started to appear in more homes and restaurant menus.
Post-war period: Iced tea became very popular in the USA after the Second World War, as the industry of soft drinks and chilled beverages was developing.
Recent decades: Today, iced tea is popular in many countries and is offered in a plethora of variations, from simple iced black tea to more sophisticated flavors with fruits, herbs, and other ingredients.
It is interesting to note that, although iced tea is extremely popular in the USA, in other countries such as China and India, the inhabitants usually prefer hot tea, although iced teas have started to become more popular there in recent years.
