My friend and writer, Michael Goodwin wrote Economix over cups of black tea. It’s surprising that he should love the brew so heartily for Americans are notable consumers of coffee, drinking three times more coffee than tea. Despite their proclivity for the bean, the Americans have made significant contributions to tea and its culture.
Parallel to the popularity of the drink in 18th century England, the American colonies began aping their parent country in affectation and tea drinking. When the British chased the Dutch, and New Amsterdam became New York, the English were surprised at the colonists’ love for tea. With the imposition of a tea tax, the beverage was smuggled and its consumption declared unpatriotic.
The Boston Tea Party is a related incident in the turn of events. John Adams (the second president of America) on his way to signing the Declaration of Independence (1776) asked a tavern if he could get a dish of tea. “No sir, we have renounced tea. But if you desire it, I will make you some coffee,” was the reply. In 1904, at America’s first World Tea Fair, iced tea made its debut. Richard Blechynden served brewed tea on ice to counter the summer heat. Thomas Sullivan of New York is credited for inventing the tea bag. The current change that America is forging in tea culture is in the consumption of pop teas: ornamental, artisan and specialty.
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As American as it is, the Long Island Iced Tea is no tea but a strong tipple. For a star-spangled punch, quaff a John Daly or an Arnold Palmer, delectable tea melanges inspired by the professional American golfers.