The History of Iced Tea
Iced tea is a form of tea, only rather than served hot as most of its counterparts are, it is served cold. Any variety of tea is able to be iced, as all one has to do is brew the tea as usual and then chill it. Warm tea may also be poured over ice to chill, but it is important to remember that prolonged storage in a refrigerator may cause the tea to become cloudy.
The History
The history of iced tea is quite important to know in order to understand its overall value and representation in the modern world. In the beginning, iced tea was actually not at all the same as we know it to be today. Rather, iced tea was known as a type of punch, and while tea was one of the main ingredients, there were also a range of other ingredients that were often included as well, such as currant jelly, sweet cream, alcohol and lemons.
It is believed by most that iced tea was actually invented by a man named Richard Blechynden, at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. By the early 1900’s a mixture of green and black tea was used for making iced tea, but by the end of the 1920’s, black tea alone was typically used. The drink grew in popularity with the advent of prohibition in the 1920’s, and this popularity fluctuated throughout the 20th century, peaking during the first part of the century and throughout World War I.
Iced tea has continued to maintain its popularity over the years, and today is recognized as one of the most popular beverages in the world. In fact, according to one survey taken by the United States Tea Association, as much as 85% of tea consumed in the United States is of the iced variety. Most tea manufacturers offer a variety of iced tea products for consumers to choose from, including the Lipton Company, which is one of the most recognized and revered tea beverage manufacturing companies in the world.
Recipe
If you are interested in making your own iced tea, there are many different recipe variations you can choose from. But for a typical iced tea recipe, you will need: 8 tea bags, ice cubes, 8 cups water, fine sugar and lemon slices.
In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then remove the water from the heat and add the tea bags. Cover the pan and let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and pour the mixture into a pitcher. Add 4 cups of cold water and stir, then add the sugar and lemons to taste. Serve over ice.
