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Read about tea in the UK in part 3
Tea has been a staple beverage in many cultures for centuries. The history of tea in the United States is rather brief, but it's still interesting to see how this drink has evolved over time.
The Dutch were the first to bring tea to the United States in the 1600s. It was brought to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (which would eventually be renamed New York). However, tea was not very popular at that time because it had a high price tag.
It wasn't until 1773 that America's first protests against England were in response to an act that raised taxes on everything imported into the USA including tea. These Tea Act Protests - or "Tea Parties" as they are called today - ignited colonial passions toward independence from British rule and directly led to the USA Revolutionary War less than ten years later.
Today, the USA is one of the biggest consumers of tea worldwide, second only to Russia by volume consumed per year (source: Wikipedia). Nowadays, there are many different types and flavors available for people who enjoy drinking USA-made teas.
There are many tea houses and shops in the USA today where people can purchase loose leaf teas. One of the most popular is Starbucks, which offers a variety of iced and hot beverages, as well as pastries and other snacks to go along with them.
Many coffeehouses also offer their own special blends, such as Chai Tea Lattes at places like Caribou Coffee or Teavana Blends at those that carry Teavana products. These drinks tend to be sweeter than traditional black or green teas, but for some, they may just taste more flavorful than watery bagged varieties found on grocery store shelves.
In addition to tea houses and specialty cafes, there are a number of small businesses that have been popping up in the USA - from New York to California. In Brooklyn, for example, you can visit "Tea Drunk", which offers more than 100 types of loose leaf teas sourced directly from growers around the world, including China, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka.
Tea culture has begun making its way into mainstream USA cuisine, including recipes inspired by classic British afternoon tea treats created with USA sensibilities in mind. USA bakers have begun to create their own takes on classic British baked goods using US ingredients and tastes as inspiration.
Traditional USA Tea culture is a far cry from the brash business centers of London, New York City, or Hong Kong. For most Americans, "tea" still means black tea with milk and sugar (sweetened), served either hot or cold.
Some regions of the USA may be more familiar with herbal teas such as chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, etc., often consumed for medicinal purposes although they are also perfectly fine as beverages unto themselves without any additives.
Tea drinking all day long—with meals and snacks alike —is becoming commonplace all over the United States. Tea has become a go-to beverage for USA consumers, often replacing coffee. Drinking tea all day long is becoming more common in the United States as Americans are showing an interest in health and wellness culture.
There's also plenty of room for innovation within the USA tea culture—as evidenced by the steady growth of USA artisanal teas. These unique USA blends incorporate everything from rare fruits to unconventional spices, infusing traditional black or green teas with bigger flavors than ever before.
USA Black teas are what most people in the USA think of when they hear about tea. Most American black teas are grown on USA plantations, but some specialty USA blends use leaves from subtropical countries like India and Africa.
Green tea is gaining popularity in the United States as Americans become more interested in green juices, smoothies, iced drinks, etc. Eco-friendly brands that focus on using organic ingredients have also been leading the growth of green tea culture by incorporating local produce into their USA brews.
When you think about how much this beverage has spread across North America since its introduction by British colonists, it's no wonder why so many people associate tea with being an all-American tradition. What favorite tea tradition do you enjoy in the States?
