Iced tea has been around since the 1870s, but it was not until 1904 that it truly became a popular beverage. In 1904, the United States seized the opportunity to showcase its development and innovation on the world stage at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Merchants and trade exhibitors from around the globe flocked to America to display their products to the eager fairgoers.
One such exhibitor was Richard Blechynden, a tea plantation owner, and a promoter of Indian & Ceylon tea, who had traveled to St. Louis with the plan of handing out free samples of hot tea. However, as fate would have it, a brutal heat wave struck the fairgrounds, leaving visitors desperate for a cool respite from the scorching temperatures. To save his investment of time and travel, thinking quickly, Blechynden dumped a generous helping of ice into the brewed tea, instantly transforming the hot beverage into a refreshing, chilled delight. To the delight of the thirsty crowds, this impromptu innovation became a sensation at the fair. Iced tea, as it would come to be known, had been born.
The popularity of iced tea spread rapidly after the St. Louis World’s Fair. As the taste for this refreshing beverage grew, iced tea began appearing on menus and in homes across America. The introduction of tea bags in 1908 also contributed to the rise of iced tea, making it easier than ever for people to brew a pitcher at home.
