TEA IN AMERICA

The first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of tea and America is The Boston Tea Party. This important event in our history lead to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, incidentally written in Jefferson’s polygonal tearoom at Monticello, and our separation from the oppressive British Empire. However, it is a combination of numerous other events that have led to America being one of the major progressive forces in the tea world, most of which involve convenience.

At the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, trade exhibitors came from all over the world. A tea plantation owner, Richard Blechynden, was among them and planned on giving away free samples of his hot tea. However, the heat caused visitors to pass by his booth until he dumped a load of ice into the brewed tea and of course the rest is history. Today 85% of the tea consumed in the United States is iced!!

Before the 1900's, tea was available only in loose leaf form and a merchant from New York City, Thomas Sullivan, in order to save cost began to send his tea samples in small silk bags. Some of his clients threw the tea, bag and all, into hot water to brew. He began getting numerous requests for these “teabags,” so they began appearing commercially around 1904 and were actually shipped round the world. The silk was replaced by paper and the teabag as we know it with all of its convenience was born.

To make tea even easier to use, Nestle USA produced a powder form of tea in 1948. When mixed with water it produced a tea-like product. This “instant tea” was marketed as Nestea, and although tea is actually a minor ingredient, it simplified preparation and storage.

Although the first tea plants were brought to America from China in 1799, it took many years and numerous individuals and companies including Lipton and now Bigelow, to establish our own tea garden in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the only place in North America with the right conditions for growth and where you can see tea harvested and processed. The tea produced without insecticides or fungicides, “American Classic Tea” is described as “a high-quality black tea with a mild tone and sweet flavor,” and in 1987 became the official White House tea.

Tea is more popular than ever today in America. Due to its numerous health benefits and de-stressing preparation, there has been renewed interest in tea, especially among those seeking a more positive, healthy lifestyle. Thus, specialty tea businesses are popping up everywhere to cater to veteran tea drinkers and new converts.

TEA TRIVIA
Following The Boston Tea Party
and our revolution against British rule,
drinking loose-leaf tea in America
was viewed as unpatriotic

 

 

“If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
 and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and heal their land.” 
2 Chronicles 7:14