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Stories
The Story of Iced Tea
The majority of iced tea today is a poor relative of the original, which dates back to the 19th century, being akin to sugary, flavoured water.
The oldest iced tea recipes were made with green tea and were known as 'punches' such as Regent’s punch, named after George IV or the Prince Regent 1762-1830. It was very aristocratic and highly alcoholic.
The punch became known in America, but was a novelty until the 1904 World Fair in St Louis [home also to the Olympic Games in the same year]. The very hot crowds were served with very hot Indian tea. It was the India Tea Commissioner, Richard Blenchynden and his team, who realised something cooler was in order. They filled some large bottles with the hot tea and let it flow through some iced lead [!] pipes. The resulting 'iced' tea, was a huge success, later replicated by Blenchynden for shoppers at Bloomingdales in New York. The huge US iced tea industry was born and the drink is now popular all around the world.
The oldest iced tea recipes were made with green tea and were known as 'punches' such as Regent’s punch, named after George IV or the Prince Regent 1762-1830. It was very aristocratic and highly alcoholic.
The punch became known in America, but was a novelty until the 1904 World Fair in St Louis [home also to the Olympic Games in the same year]. The very hot crowds were served with very hot Indian tea. It was the India Tea Commissioner, Richard Blenchynden and his team, who realised something cooler was in order. They filled some large bottles with the hot tea and let it flow through some iced lead [!] pipes. The resulting 'iced' tea, was a huge success, later replicated by Blenchynden for shoppers at Bloomingdales in New York. The huge US iced tea industry was born and the drink is now popular all around the world.
It’s so easy to make your own great iced tea, either with green tea or black - Ceylon tea works especially well as it remains very clear as it cools. It can be made as a cold-brew with a bit of planning [add tea to cold water and brew for a day] or made hot and iced water added. Honey or a natural cordial to sweeten a little or a lot to taste, some lemons and limes and some alcohol if you must. The opportunities are endless - different herbal infusions also make a great base.
We have a few recipes to share in our EIC Recipe Book; we would love to hear yours too.
We have a few recipes to share in our EIC Recipe Book; we would love to hear yours too.
