According to the Tea Association of the United States, iced tea is a "distinctly American" beverage developed by a man named Richard Blechynden at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Up until the turn of that century, most of the tea quaffed by Americans was actually green tea from China and Japan. It appears that Mr. Blechynden, as the India Tea Commissioner, was eager to drum up some attention for black tea from South Asia, which most Americans were unfamiliar with. Since fair visitors were unwilling to drink hot tea in the sweltering heat, the commissioner dispensed brewed India tea through iced pipes for free to the thirsty crowds.
The chilled tea was a success, and after the fair was over Blechynden installed his iced-tea apparatus at Bloomingdales in New York City. Today, a whopping 85% of all tea consumed by Americans is iced.
To celebrate this tasty tidbit of Americana, why don't you whip up a round of iced tea for friends and family in one of our beautiful pitchers?
This charming balloon-shaped American glass pitcher, circa 1915, is etched with two baskets of flowers and vertical trellises. A hammered sterling silver overlay band adorns the neck and spout of the pitcher. For more information, click here.
This tall, beautiful red glass sterling silver overlay pitcher was made by Alvin Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1890. It's decorated with a heavy gage ornate scroll design, the handle is of a full overlay design and in the center of the pitcher is a lovely monogram plate engraved with a decorative script "G". For more information, click here.
This lovely American glass pitcher circa 1910 is carved with a decorative intaglio motif of grapes and leaves and adorned with a sterling silver overlay design on the edge of the pitcher that features a complimentary grapes and leaves design. For more information, click here.
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