Happy National Iced Tea Day! #NationalIcedTeaDay Even though coffee is the beverage of choice in the United States, in 2014 Americans consumed 3.60 billion gallons of iced tea. That’s over three trillion, by the way. You can imagine how much coffee we drink. We have the Chinese to thank for the discovery of tea, camellia sinensis, over 2000 years ago, and the trade that followed to its popularity the world over.
According to the National Iced Tea Day website, the American love affair with iced tea began with the 1904 World’s Fair and escalated during World War I. Green tea became popular in the early 1800s, not by itself, but as an alcoholic punch. Pass the bowl! Herbal teas, sipping teas, or tisane, often disdained by tea purists, have been popular for much longer than traditional tea (camellia sinensis). According to the Rune Tea website, evidence of Paleolithic plant use could indicate the use of tisane as early as 60,000 years ago.
Tea is a way of life for many. Around the world, people start and end their days with tea, which can be used to energize or relax. Tea is popular with those who want to lose weight, as the caffeine helps boost metabolism. Tea is popular with those who focus on a healthy lifestyle, too. The antioxidants in tea help to minimize the damage of free radicals in the body. And finally, tea is simply enjoyed for the taste and pleasurable aroma.
Whether you enjoy your tea ice cold by the glass or hot in a mug or cup, take some time to enjoy some tea or tisane today. Happy National Iced Tea Day!
