America Finds A Passion For Blended Tea

Until recently tea was not a very popular beverage choice amongst Americans. In fact in terms of consumption it came 6th, behind even beer. However, this is now changing and Americans are finding a new love for blended tea and fruit tea.

The reinvention of the loose leaf tea, has come about because many people now realize the health benefits surrounded with drinking tea, especially loose leaf tea. Americans have always had a colorful history when it comes to tea, with historic events such as the Boston tea party, however 85% of Americans still drink iced tea, compared to any other tea.

With this in mind, The US has had to find inventive way to blend tea to suit the American palette. Unlike the British most Americans prefer there blended tea unsweetened and without milk. While teabags are still a big favorite, the quality of the tea leaf is becoming a factor in American beverage choice.

Until world war II, green and black tea was drank evenly across the United States. With war ridden countries cut off from supplying green teas, America was forced to import Black teas from India. This also saw the introduction of the Rooibos tea, which was imported as an alternative to tea from South Africa. The Rooibos blended tea had an advantage over other tea varieties, as it had no caffeine and extremely low tannin levels.

However, now with health benefits of green and Oolong tea becoming more widely known this has seen as surge of demand for the Asian blended tea.

The Blended Tea Process

Tea blending refers to the process of blending different teas together. The reason behind this is to create a blend with different flavors and origins. However there is an art to this, as one blend must taste the same as the previous, so the consumer will get the same tasting tea throughout the package.

The blended tea process is usually done in large drums where it may be blended with fruits, perfumes or essential oils to create a unique taste.

Variations Of Blended Tea

Fruit Teas

Fruit teas have become increasingly popular. Cranberries mixed with currants and Rooibos, spicy ginger peach teas, lemonade tea and even passion fruit green make up these exotic tasting teas.

Herbal Blends

Herbal Blended teas are another popular choice. These are teas mixed with spices such as masala, chamomile and ginseng to name a few. These herbal blended teas have the adavtange of also incorporating herbs that are known for the medicinal purposes. For instance Chamomile is thought to have calming and relaxing effects. While ginseng may improve mental concentration.

Although loose leaf tea will continue to be grown in Asia, Americans have placed there own twist and made marketable products with their range of blended teas. With so many different tastes available, there is now a tea to suit any palette and more, on the way.