Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the United States. The tea culture of America has been long sustained and has led to the development of various tea traditions. It has given rise to various tea trends of the past decade that have shaped the palate of the American tea drinker across all ages. Tea continues to be a fan favorite in the US and is consumed in many ways, hot or cold, sweet or unsweetened, and is a sublime blend of various cultures around the world.

A brief history of tea in America

Dutch settlers first introduced tea to North America in the 1600’s and the tea culture grew greatly after the colonies came under British control. People’s fondness for tea increased over time and English tea drinking customs were adopted in various places such as Boston and Philadelphia. Tea was an important product of trade between the colonies and the British East India Company and
thus was heavily taxed by the British parliament. This heavy taxation led to the colonies protesting against the injustice and the monopoly on tea imports along with the issue of “taxation without representation”. This protest is remembered today as “The Boston Tea Party” wherein, on 16th December 1773, colonists raided tea ships carrying black tea from China. The colonists threw over 45
tonnes of tea overboard these ships as a mark of protest. It was only in 1834 that the British East India Company lost its monopoly and control over tea, allowing it to be traded freely. Americans entered the world of tea trade and their sleek new clipper ships brought tea much faster than their British counterparts and since then, the United States continues to be one of the largest importers of tea.

Which is the most popular tea in the United States?

According to various statistics and studies, around 85% of Americans prefer their tea cold and thus drink iced tea or cold brew tea. Iced tea can be considered the American twist on the classic hot beverage and is available in various shapes and forms. Iced tea can be made from teabags, tea leaves and is also available for mass consumption in the form of powder which can simply be dissolved into water. This is made similar to powdered coffee, by crushing and dehydrating tea
leaves. Iced tea is also a common beverage served in restaurants, coffee shops and tea rooms across America.
Americans in general prefer black tea however herbal and fruity teas are a close second choice along with green tea and even oolong tea. The tea market in the US has always been open to experiments and thus has worked well for the tea industry to launch new products here in the US market.

What types of black tea are most popular?

Black tea is the most commonly consumed tea in the US. Americans do not have the affinity towards adding milk to their hot black tea although tea lattes are increasingly getting popular, especially with the younger generation.

The most popular types of black tea are as follows (in no particular order) :

● English breakfast tea: The English breakfast tea is a classic staple in many households around the world and is a match made in heaven. This blended black tea is robust, rich and goes beautifully well with some sugar and milk.

Our blend is a unique infusion of Nilgiri and Assam orthodox tea and hence, this tea isn’t just perfect to start your day with, it also helps you to get through your busy work from home schedule!

● Earl Grey: Earl grey tea is a type of flavored tea which is quintessentially British. It has a black tea base and is flavored with oil from the rind of the Bergamot orange. Both the flavors come together beautifully to create a sublime experience for every tea drinker.

Our Earl grey tea has the smooth and aromatic Darjeeling tea as its base and hence is extremely palatable and delicious! Earl grey tea is a stellar replacement for your morning coffee since it gives you energy and has safe levels of caffeine! It is also one of the most recognized tea flavors in the world.

● Darjeeling black tea: Darjeeling black tea is sought out by tea connoisseurs because of its beautifully fragrant aroma and unique taste which is an absolute treat for the senses! It also has some of the highest amounts of antioxidants when it comes to tea. It brings serenity to the mind and invigorates the body but whatever you do, do not add milk! There are also multiple tea flushes for you to try from.

Please let us know if you would like to know more about the different flushes of Darjeeling Tea.

● Assam black tea: Assam black tea has two main types, CTC and Orthodox based on the method of processing. Grown in the state of Assam in North-East India, the CTC method, which stands for “Crush Tear Curl”, was developed in the 1930s. This copper colored tea has a full-bodied strong flavor which goes perfectly with milk. Its rich malty flavor tends a little towards the bitter side which makes it a par’tea’ for your tastebuds! It also has multiple health benefits such as boosting immunity and heart health. Assam Orthodox tea is another type of tea hailing from Assam and it is mostly harvested manually. This tea stands apart
due to the process of preparing the tea leaves through withering, rolling, oxidizing and drying which was first used in North East India by the British. This tea ensures a strong, full-bodied tea, tart with slight notes of astringency and extremely rich in antioxidants which makes it the perfect cup!

● Nilgiri “winter frost” black tea: This delicate amber colored tea is grown in the cold winter months which lends it a uniquely crisp and cool flavor. This tea is dark and intensely aromatic and is the perfect accompaniment to your evenings! Nilgiri tea has the perfect balance of strength, astringency and color to meet the requirements of each and every tea drinker, be it a tea connoisseur or a novice.

● Ceylon black tea: Ceylon teas are produced on the island country known as Sri Lanka. When Sri Lankan tea production first reached international fame in the early 19th century under British rule, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon, and since then the colonial name has stuck for tea production. Sri Lanka has an incredible range of different altitudes; hence their tea plantations produce a wide variety of flavor profiles. Low-elevation Ceylon black tea leaves have a strong, spicy flavor and produce a burgundy-brown brew, while higher-elevation varieties offer more delicate, nuanced flavor that results in a deep black tea.

● Yunnan black tea: Hailing from the Yunnan province in China, Yunnan black tea is a wonderful brassy orange brew. Teas that come from the Yunnan province are known as Dianhong and the thing that sets them apart from most other black teas is that it has a high concentration of delicate leaf buds. This type of black tea is rich and smooth, with hints of chocolate, honey, and pepper.

Which type of tea out of all these is your favorite?

Did we miss out any?

Tell us in the comment below!