Iced Tea

Iced tea is a truly American beverage. Richard Belchynden, an American merchant, is often given credit for inventing iced tea at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. He was sampling and selling hot tea at his fair booth, but few fair-goers were in the market for hot beverages in the intense summer heat. So, he added ice to the steeped tea and voila! Iced tea was born and quickly gained popularity.

There are other documented instances of iced tea prior to 1904 (as early as the 1870’s), particularly in the southern United States.