The origins of it can be traced back to the late 19th century. Legend has it that it was created accidentally when a tea merchant in Georgia mixed extra water into hot tea and then found it too weak. He placed the tea in the refrigerator and realized that chilling it created a refreshing summer beverage. The idea took off and it became closely associated with Southern cuisine and regional traditions over the following decades. Some of the earliest documented references to it  come from turn of the century publications from the Southern United States.

Sweet vs Unsweetened

There are two Iced Tea varieties of it - sweetened and unsweetened. Southern-style iced tea is almost always sweetened, traditionally with cane sugar. However, many people now opt for artificial sweeteners to reduce calories. Unsweetened or "unsweet" iced tea retains only the natural flavor of the brewed tea leaves with no additional sugar. Unsweetened tea allows the tea flavors to shine through without competing with sugar. It is popular for those watching their sugar or calorie intake. Most restaurants and fast food establishments will offer both sweetened and unsweetened options to satisfy different tastes.

Black, Green and Herbal Varieties

Black tea is overwhelmingly the most popular variety used for traditional Southern tea due to its bold, brisk flavor. Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Assam black teas work especially well chilled. However, green tea is also excellent iced, taking on bright, vegetal flavors with a refreshing chill. Japanese sencha and Chinese gunpowder green teas make light, aromatic teas. Herbal "teas" like mint, hibiscus, fruit and rooibos varieties can also be served hot or cold. Their naturally sweet and aromatic constituents shine when chilled into summery drinks. Popular combinations include peach-mango and cherry-hibiscus teas.

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