For years Europeans have had the market cornered when it came to the amount of tea drank annually, but in 2010 they lost the lead to the Americans. A huge portion of that was in iced, bottled form, a fact that helped contribute to the lead tremendously. Over the course of the year, Americans drank more tea than the English for the first time in history. More than two hundred and eighty million pounds of tea were imported into America in 2010, highlighting the sudden popularity of this time honored drink. It’s a surprising fact, but one that isn’t without logic when you consider a few simple things.
Iced bottled tea is highly popular in the US, and around ninety percent of the tea consumed in America is drunk either cold or over ice. In the UK, most tea is drunk hot like a cup of coffee and has been for centuries. Refreshment probably has a lot to do with it, and many people in America opt to drink a tall glass of iced tea during the hotter months of the summer instead of downing a sugary soda that will only harm their health. Iced tea was once a southern staple, but today it’s obviously an American one.
Companies like Arizona and Snapple lead the charge in the nineties, but today there’s no shortage of companies offering consumers teas of all shapes and sizes. While traditional teas are popular, there are numerous ones infused with flavors and supplements to help ensure there’s something for everyone. It’s really the health benefits most Americans are looking for in a glass of tea, and it’s no secret that teas can provide antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and improve the overall function of body systems like circulation. Most iced bottled tea delivers these benefits at least in some small way.
While turning up a bottle of iced tea is a great alternative to a soda, brewing your own tea is a much better option. This way you’ll know that you’re getting the freshest possible tea and that no additives or sugars were added to it. You can brew your tea and then pour it over a tall glass of ice to cool down, feel refreshed, and simply enjoy the health benefits that it can provide. With so many different teas on the market today there’s really something for everyone, and it’s easier than ever to find a great tea to suit your tastes.
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