Iced Tea: A Refreshing Summer Beverage
Origins of Iced Tea
The origin story of iced tea dates back to late 1880s Georgia. According to legend, a businessman named Richard Blechynden was trying to sell tea in a location that was very hot. He decided to brew the tea with extra water, then poured it over cups filled with ice to attract potential customers. The chilled tea proved to be very refreshing for the hot weather and people enjoyed it. This sparked the idea of drinking tea cold with ice.
Over the decades, Iced Tea gained popularity across Southern states of America and also different parts of the world with hot climates. While hot tea was usually preferred in colder regions, areas with warmer weather embraced the chilled version. Today, Americans consume around 80 gallons of iced tea per person each year, making it the most popular cold drink in summer months.
Health Benefits
Iced tea is not just a refreshing beverage but also offers various health advantages due to presence of antioxidants from tea leaves:
- Flavonoids in black and green tea can help reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. They improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure.
- Catechins act as anti-inflammatory and anticancer compounds. Research links green tea to lower risks of various cancers including breast, lung and prostate.
- The high antioxidant content helps protect cells from free radical damage, reducing risk of age-related diseases.
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