The popularity of iced tea continues to soar due to its refreshing qualities and taste profile which has been enjoyed by consumers across the world for over a century.
Originating from a resourceful idea, this beloved beverage has a captivating origin story: In 1904, during the World Fair in St. Louis, USA, an Englishman named Richard Blechnyden introduced a unique twist to tea consumption. With the scorching weather discouraging hot tea, he ingeniously poured the steaming liquid over ice chips. The result was an unexpectedly refreshing drink that captivated fairgoers and sparked the commercialization of iced tea. Since then, this chilled beverage has gained popularity across the globe, with its consumption experiencing significant growth driven by various factors.
At its core, iced tea is a delightful concoction made by chilling sweetened tea, often infused with fresh lemon or other fruits. True iced tea is crafted from real tea leaves, ensuring a rich infusion of antioxidants. This antioxidant attribute is what grants the drink its fantastic health properties and the potential to boost the immune system, combat inflammation and even contribute to the prevention of cancer and heart diseases.*
The prospects for the iced tea market are incredibly promising. Data Bridge Market Research reports that the Iced Tea Market, valued at USD 46.66 billion in 2021, is expected to reach a staggering worth of USD 79.57 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.90% which closely matches the forecast shared by Mordor Intelligence earlier.
*Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055352/