By Terry Orr
With
the official start of summer just a few days away, the timing is perfect for
National Iced Tea Day.
Chances
are, it is already hot in your area. Today may serve as a good reminder to make
and enjoy your first (of many) Iced Tea drink of the season. Have it plain, add
a little lemon, or sweeten it with sugar. Iced Tea is certainly a favorite
summer cooler of millions of Americans. And best of all, tea is good for your
health!
It
takes no imagination to decide how to enjoy this great day: Grab an Iced Tea
and head out to the hammock strung under a shady tree.
Medicinal value:
Since
ancient times, people have believed that tea has a wide range of medicinal
uses. Modern research has given credibility to many of these beliefs and
identified more in some cases research is not conclusive. Regardless of the
final determination as to it's value over time, drink and enjoy because there
is no research to suggest that it can hurt you and it just tastes good.
Here are some of the known or suspected medicinal
applications:
Avoidance of heart disease
Cancer and tumors
Stomach ailments
Sore throats and colds (often flavored
with honey)
Soothing, relaxing
The Origin of Iced Tea:
In
1904, English tea plantation owner Richard Blechynden set up a booth to sell
hot tea at the St. Louis World Fair. It was a sizzler of a day, and fair
visitors didn't want anything hot. Rather, they needed something to quench
their thirst... something cold. He dumped some of his hot tea into ice and
served it cold. It was an immediate hit. This was the first known use of iced
tea. (Source: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/icedteaday.htm)
Did you know?
Today
iced tea accounts for about eight-five per cent of all tea consumed in the U.S,
and that it is served in stores, vending machines, and restaurants across the
country. With a wide range of varieties including bottled, boxed, sweetened,
unsweetened, spiced, Thai, and chai brands, there is a flavor out there for
just about ever tea lover. (Source: http://theyearoflivingunofficially.com/06/10/national-iced-tea-day/)
Sweetened or unsweetened, flavored or unflavored, celebrate
Iced Tea Day with a nice, tall glass of your favorite iced tea!
(Images from Google)
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