Tea Blog

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For as long as I have been writing about tea, the common wisdom has been that Americans drink a large portion of their tea in iced form—typically estimated at around 80–85%.

That figure hasn’t changed much over the years, which is somewhat surprising, but there’s no doubt that iced tea remains extremely popular in the United States.

But what about the rest of the world? While it’s not possible to cover everything here, a few examples help illustrate the global picture.

One of the most widely recognized modern variations is bubble tea. Originating in Asia, it is typically made with tea, flavorings, and sweeteners served over ice. Its defining feature is the addition of chewy tapioca pearls, which are consumed through a wide straw.

You can browse additional content in

this collection of articles about bubble tea varieties and preparation methods
.

Other iced tea styles popular in Asia include Hong Kong-style milk tea, which combines black tea with evaporated or condensed milk, and Thai iced tea, which often incorporates spices and flavorings like lemongrass and coconut milk.

For example,

this discussion of Thai iced tea variations and ingredients from Chowhound contributors

provides insight into how recipes differ across regions and preferences.

Many of the major iced tea brands found in the United States have also expanded into international markets, though local brands remain strong in many regions.

In Japan, bottled and canned beverages—including iced tea and coffee—are especially popular. At one point, coffee overtook iced tea in sales, but the trend has shifted again.

More details on that shift can be found in

this analysis of changing beverage trends and green tea competition in Japan
.

In Europe, companies like Rauch produce a range of iced tea products. You can explore their offerings at

the Rauch beverage company website featuring iced tea and fruit drink products
.

In Indonesia, Sosro produces bottled teas such as

Tehbotol Sosro, a popular ready-to-drink bottled tea brand
.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Unicer offers

Frutea, a fruit-infused tea beverage combining tea with juice flavors
.

See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles

on the tea blog author archive page
.

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