Tea Culture Spotlight: Friend, what do you get when you ask for “tea” in the South?

Sent: May 05, 2024

Sweet tea has long been a beloved beverage in the United States. View in your browser.

COLLECTIONS

LOOSE TEA

NEW ARRIVALS

Put some spring vibes in your cup - 20% OFF $30+ Orders through 5/6/24. Discount applies automatically at checkout.

SHOP FRESH BREW ICED TEAS

Tea Culture Spotlight

A Love of Sweet Tea in the U.S.

Sweet tea has long been a beloved beverage in the United States, particularly in the southern regions. The origins of sweet tea can be traced back to the late 19th century when iced tea gained popularity as a refreshing drink during the hot summer months. As the trend for iced tea grew, people living in the South began adding sugar to the brew, creating the distinct taste of sweet tea that we know and love today.

Origins of Sweet Tea

The exact origins of sweet tea are a bit murky, but it's believed to have first become popular in the early 1900s. As the recipe for sweet tea spread throughout the South, it quickly became a cultural cornerstone, with families and communities gathering to sip on the cool, sweet elixir. Over the decades, sweet tea has evolved from a simple summer refresher to a year-round staple, and it has even become a symbol of Southern hospitality and pride.

Now if you're not from the South, be aware if you're ever visiting that “tea” means “sweet iced tea” in those states. Sweet tea is what you'll get if you ask for tea, so be sure to request “unsweet” or “plain” tea if that's what you truly prefer.

Plain Black (Classic Black) - Fresh Brew Iced Tea

A tried and true classic, our Chinese black tea revitalizes with every sip. Long before they reach us, our full leaves are picked by hand, so that each leaf's sweet character and the bright, rich body remains intact.

Mike Harney's Tea Ratings: Briskness—2 Body—2 Aroma—2

4.9 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ Based on 515 reviews

A Fruity Twist

Ever since the rise of iced tea’s popularity in the United States, Americans have been concocting a variety of methods for adding sweetness to their favorite iced brews. Southern Fruit Tea is another beloved variation of sweetened tea. Believed to have originated in middle Tennessee, you’ll find Southern Fruit Tea as an option on many regional restaurant menus. This sweet and fruity beverage traditionally combines iced black tea with lemonade, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Aromatic spices like cinnamon are also sometimes added for an additional kick of natural sweetness, and some take the sweetness even further by adding sugar. This classic version of fruit tea is well-known throughout the South, but today many tea lovers all over the country put a unique spin on the beverage with a myriad of teas and fruit juice add-ins.

If you’ve ever heard someone order an “Arnold Palmer” at a restaurant, they were sipping on another iced tea hybrid favorite. This beverage is a half-and-half mixture of iced black tea and lemonade. This trendy beverage is named after the famous professional golfer Arnold Palmer, who was known for drinking this refreshing concoction. According to historical accounts, the Arnold Palmer was first created in the early 1960s. The exact date and location are a bit uncertain, but it's believed to have originated at the famous Indian Wells Golf Resort in California when Palmer asked the clubhouse attendant for a mixture of iced tea and lemonade. The drink became so popular with other golfers that it was eventually named after him.

Whether you prefer the classic sweet tea or one with a fruity twist, the enduring popularity of these drinks speaks to the deep-rooted appreciation that Americans, especially those in the South, have for this signature beverage. Sweet tea has become ingrained in the cultural fabric of the United States, serving as a comforting and delightful reminder of the rich history and traditions that make this country so unique.

Fresh Brew Iced Teas

Fresh Brew Iced Tea Sampler

ORDER NOW

Peach Fresh Brew Iced Tea

ORDER NOW

Tropical Mango Fresh Brew Iced Tea

ORDER NOW

Indigo Punch Fresh Brew Iced Tea

ORDER NOW

Free Domestic Shipping ✦ Quality Guarantee ✦ 30-Day Return Policy

MY ACCOUNT LOGIN	INFUSIAST REWARDS	DOWNLOAD THE APP
FIND YOUR IDEAL TEA	MY PERSONAL SHOP	PRESS FEATURES

We send special offers & news to valued customers who have opted in at www.harney.com.

Our mailing address is
Harney & Sons Fine Teas 5723 Route 22 Millerton, NY 12546

Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe

Text Only

Sweet tea has long been a beloved beverage in the United States. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ Sweet tea has long been a beloved beverage in the United States. View in your browser. FREE DOMESTIC GROUND SHIPPING COLLECTIONS LOOSE TEA NEW ARRIVALS COLLECTIONS LOOSE TEA NEW ARRIVALS SHOP FRESH BREW ICED TEAS Tea Culture Spotlight A Love of Sweet Tea in the U.S. Sweet tea has long been a beloved beverage in the United States, particularly in the southern regions. The origins of sweet tea can be traced back to the late 19th century when iced tea gained popularity as a refreshing drink during the hot summer months. As the trend for iced tea grew, people living in the South began adding sugar to the brew, creating the distinct taste of sweet tea that we know and love today. Origins of Sweet Tea The exact origins of sweet tea are a bit murky, but it's believed to have first become popular in the early 1900s. As the recipe for sweet tea spread throughout the South, it quickly became a cultural cornerstone, with families and communities gathering to sip on the cool, sweet elixir. Over the decades, sweet tea has evolved from a simple summer refresher to a year-round staple, and it has even become a symbol of Southern hospitality and pride. Now if you're not from the South, be aware if you're ever visiting that “tea” means “sweet iced tea” in those states. Sweet tea is what you'll get if you ask for tea, so be sure to request “unsweet” or “plain” tea if that's what you truly prefer. Plain Black (Classic Black) - Fresh Brew Iced Tea A tried and true classic, our Chinese black tea revitalizes with every sip. Long before they reach us, our full leaves are picked by hand, so that each leaf's sweet character and the bright, rich body remains intact. 4.9 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ Based on 515 reviews A Fruity Twist Ever since the rise of iced tea’s popularity in the United States, Americans have been concocting a variety of methods for adding sweetness to their favorite iced brews. Southern Fruit Tea is another beloved variation of sweetened tea. Believed to have originated in middle Tennessee, you’ll find Southern Fruit Tea as an option on many regional restaurant menus. This sweet and fruity beverage traditionally combines iced black tea with lemonade, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Aromatic spices like cinnamon are also sometimes added for an additional kick of natural sweetness, and some take the sweetness even further by adding sugar. This classic version of fruit tea is well-known throughout the South, but today many tea lovers all over the country put a unique spin on the beverage with a myriad of teas and fruit juice add-ins. If you’ve ever heard someone order an “Arnold Palmer” at a restaurant, they were sipping on another iced tea hybrid favorite. This beverage is a half-and-half mixture of iced black tea and lemonade. This trendy beverage is named after the famous professional golfer Arnold Palmer, who was known for drinking this refreshing concoction. According to historical accounts, the Arnold Palmer was first created in the early 1960s. The exact date and location are a bit uncertain, but it's believed to have originated at the famous Indian Wells Golf Resort in California when Palmer asked the clubhouse attendant for a mixture of iced tea and lemonade. The drink became so popular with other golfers that it was eventually named after him. Whether you prefer the classic sweet tea or one with a fruity twist, the enduring popularity of these drinks speaks to the deep-rooted appreciation that Americans, especially those in the South, have for this signature beverage. Sweet tea has become ingrained in the cultural fabric of the United States, serving as a comforting and delightful reminder of the rich history and traditions that make this country so unique. Fresh Brew Iced Teas Fresh Brew Iced Tea Sampler ORDER NOW Peach Fresh Brew Iced Tea ORDER NOW Tropical Mango Fresh Brew Iced Tea ORDER NOW Indigo Punch Fresh Brew Iced Tea ORDER NOW Free Domestic Shipping ✦ Quality Guarantee ✦ 30-Day Return Policy Free Domestic ShippingQuality Guarantee30-Day Return Policy MY ACCOUNT LOGIN INFUSIAST REWARDS DOWNLOAD THE APP FIND YOUR IDEAL TEA MY PERSONAL SHOP PRESS FEATURES Copyright © 2024 Harney & Sons Fine Teas, all rights reserved. We send special offers & news to valued customers who have opted in at www.harney.com. Our mailing address is Harney & Sons Fine Teas 5723 Route 22 Millerton, NY 12546 Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe