The Fascinating (and Divided) Origin Story of Iced Tea

Iced Tea
Photo by Food Photographer | Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

On a hot summer day, nothing beats a refreshing glass of iced tea. But have you ever wondered where this delicious drink came from? It turns out that the history of iced tea is actually quite fascinating—and we’re about to tell you exactly how it all went down.

One Opinion

Some say that iced tea was first introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, where a tea merchant named Richard Blechynden was trying to promote his product in the scorching heat. When he couldn’t get anyone to try his hot tea, he decided to add ice to it, and voila—iced tea was born!

Another Opinion

Others believe that the origin of iced tea dates back even further, to the 1800s when it was a popular drink in the American South. Back then, iced tea was often served with lemon and sugar, and was considered a luxurious and refreshing treat.

An Instant Classic

No matter where it came from, there’s no denying that iced tea has become a beloved beverage around the world. Today, there are countless variations on the classic iced tea recipe, from sweet tea in the South to fruit-infused teas in Asia. So next time you’re sipping on a cool glass of iced tea, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and tradition that goes into every sip.