Ice water

Ice tea or iced tea is a form of cold tea. Though usually served in a glass with ice, it can also refer to a tea that has been chilled or cooled. It may or may not be sweetened. Ice tea is also commonly packaged and sold as a beverage in grocery stores, convenience stores, and vending machines.

History

The first recorded serving of ice tea was at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The popularity of the beverage quickly spread throughout the United States and it has remained a popular drink in the country ever since.

Preparation

Ice tea can be made by brewing tea (usually black tea) and then cooling it. This can be done by simply brewing the tea and then refrigerating it, or by brewing the tea directly over ice (known as "cold brewing"). Some people prefer to sweeten their ice tea with sugar or honey, while others prefer it unsweetened.

Varieties

There are many varieties of ice tea. In the United States, it is most commonly made with black tea. However, green, white, and oolong teas can also be used. In addition, many people enjoy flavored ice teas. These can be made by adding various fruits or herbs to the tea during the brewing process. Some popular flavors include lemon, peach, raspberry, and mint.

Health effects

Like all teas, ice tea contains antioxidants which can have various health benefits. However, the health effects of ice tea can vary greatly depending on how it is prepared. For example, ice tea that is heavily sweetened with sugar can be high in calories and contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

See also

• Tea
• Black tea
• Green tea
• Oolong tea
• White tea
• Antioxidants