Iced Tea

🇨🇦 Canada

In Canada, "iced tea" commonly refers to a pre-sweetened beverage, akin to "sweet tea" found in the southern United States. Lemon-flavored varieties, often sweetened with lemon juice, are particularly prevalent. Due to a significant East Asian diaspora, especially from Hong Kong, variations like Hong Kong-style lemon tea, milk tea, and Yuenyeung are also commonly available.

🇨🇳 China

Although not a traditional method of tea consumption, iced tea gained considerable popularity in China from the late 1980s onwards. It is widely available in canned and bottled forms, with black, green, and oolong teas being common bases. Herbal varieties, particularly those utilizing "yin" (cooling) herbs like chrysanthemum and kuding, are especially favored during summer. The increased availability of refrigeration, driven by economic reforms, played a significant role in this shift.

🇿🇦 South Africa

Iced tea has seen a notable rise in popularity across South Africa, becoming a common offering in cafes and retail outlets. Prominent brands include Nestea, Lipton, and Fuze Tea. Notably, the South African brand BOS utilizes locally sourced rooibos, highlighting regional ingredient integration.

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Switzerland holds a significant place in the commercialization of iced tea. In 1983, employees of the Bischofszell beverage company pioneered the industrial-scale production of bottled iced tea, marking a global first in making the beverage readily available in this format.

🇹🇷 Turkey

Within Turkey, a nation with a deeply ingrained tea culture, iced tea emerged as a popular alternative to traditional soft drinks following its introduction by Lipton in the early 2000s. Brand competition has been notable, with Coca-Cola's Fuse Tea replacing Nestea after a contract expiration. The national company Çaykur also participates in the market with its brand 'Didi'.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

While not as ubiquitous as in some other European nations, iced tea has gained traction in the UK since the 2000s. Earlier iterations included carbonated versions in the 1990s, with non-carbonated options from brands like Lipton and Nestea becoming more common in recent years.

🇺🇸 United States

Iced tea constitutes a substantial portion of tea consumption in the U.S., accounting for approximately 85%. Regional preferences are distinct: the southern states favor a heavily sweetened variety known as "sweet tea," while New England states typically prefer moderately sweetened versions, often with mint. Iced milk tea is also a popular accompaniment to Thai cuisine.

🇧🇷 South America

In Brazil, mate tea, traditionally consumed hot in neighboring countries like Argentina, is frequently served iced, particularly in the central-west and southeastern regions. This adaptation reflects a regional preference for chilled beverages.

🇻🇳 Vietnam

Iced tea is deeply embedded in Vietnamese street culture. It is brewed strong and often consumed alongside cigarettes or aztec tobacco, reflecting a unique social ritual.

☀️ Sun Tea and Refrigerator Tea

Sun tea involves steeping tea leaves in water within a glass container left in direct sunlight for several hours. This method is energy-efficient and is often perceived to yield a smoother flavor. However, a critical caveat exists: the brewing temperature typically does not reach levels sufficient to eliminate harmful bacteria. Consumption of improperly prepared sun tea poses a significant health risk due to potential bacterial contamination. Discard any tea exhibiting unusual thickness, syrupy consistency, or rope-like strands, though absence of these signs does not guarantee safety.

As a safer alternative, refrigerator tea involves brewing tea overnight in a refrigerator. This method prevents bacterial growth while ensuring the tea is chilled without the need for ice.

🥤 Fountain and Mixed Varieties

In the late 20th century, the beverage industry saw the rise of fountain iced tea, dispensed from machines similar to those for soft drinks. Concerns arose regarding potential coliform bacteria contamination in improperly cleaned dispensers. Concurrently, major beverage companies aggressively marketed tea concentrates for fountain systems, often replacing freshly brewed options.

A popular mixed beverage is the half-and-half, a combination of iced tea and lemonade. Popularized in the U.S. by golfer Arnold Palmer, this blend offers a distinctively sweet and tart profile. It has since been commercialized by various beverage companies under different branding, sometimes incorporating Palmer's name.

📜 References