How come American's don't really drink a lot of tea?

Question

Just curious as to how come tea isn't as popular in America as it may be in other countries such as England. Does this stem from America's past and not wanting to be like the English and events such as the Boston Tea Party?

Answer 1

It's just a different culture than England's. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just different. I doubt it has anything to do with the Boston tea party, but might have something to do with conditioning. American's might have been conditioned to drink coffee for several reasons. I'm not sure what they are, but it's possible.

It also might have something to do with taste. Coffee has a much stronger taste than tea, and has much more caffeine than tea. Tea might not be strong enough for people that were raised drinking coffee.

Have you ever wondered why black tea is more popular in England than Green tea for example? And why almost no one drinks black tea in China? One of the reason's it's popular in England is that black tea was the only tea that could last the trip from China since it was heavily oxidized. That's what I've read about how black tea and black tea blends became popular in England.

Answer 2

I was so intrigued by your question that I googled the history of tea. After the Boston Tea Party, a lot of American women refused to drink tea imported from English companies, so maybe this had some lasting repercussions on drinking tea in general.

John Jacob Astor and other businessmen succesfully began trade with China to import tea right after the Revolution, so it seems we *could* have continued with the culture of tea ... but maybe the refusal to drink English-imported tea made families stop the tea tradition and start drinking coffee and herbal teas.

I think Americans drink a lot of iced tea and not much hot tea. Maybe this is because of the US being hotter than England and some of Europe.

In my opinion, the quality of tea in the US (until recently) not been great, which maybe why it has not been that popular (Instant Nestea did wonders for destroying people's opinion of tea--YUCK!). There are lots of good teas now in the US, and lots of health info about how good it is for you, so I think Americans are trying it again and liking it, me included.

Answer 3

Many people in the US drink tea. However, Americans are all about energy and taste. They want a drink to give them a hard kick or taste really good. This is why coffee, soda, and energy drinks are so popular here. They taste good and give energy to the consumer. Tea is viewed here as a health drink and does not appeal to the American taste buds as coffee, soda, and energy drinks do. It's also viewed as an "Old Person" drink because when you get older your worried about your health more. As for myself I drink iced tea all the time, and enjoy it very much

Answer 4

When America was started many things came to America including tea and other drinks. When Pop/Soda was created it quickly became the norm. Other countries based more on tradition are less lenient towards things coming in and becoming a large part of everyday life.

Answer 5

Because Americans are to worried about taste than they are about their health. I drink green tea all the time and I try to get my friends to and they are always saying " Ew that's gross, I'd rather have a coke"

Anyway the tea in America is nothing but flavored water. It doesn't taste near as good or have as much nutrients as the tea in China.

Answer 6

some human beings drink tea, sure. I often times drink green tea or black tea (often iced, no longer warm). And no, I surely have never tried Cadbury's chocolate. Is that a tea? It sounds extra like warm cocoa. i do no longer think of i might savor chocolate-flavored tea.

Answer 7

I drink lots of tea as do my children ages 3-13. We love tea like chamomile, lavender, rooibos, white tea, earl gray, and many others. I have tried to get other friends of mine to come for tea instead of coffee (which I think is nasty) and they always feel as though it is pretentious. I get mine wholesale from places like herbalcom.com and sfherb.com and in that way pay less than most people pay for their coffee. I think tea is wonderful, healthy and you don't get that awfu; crash later that you get with coffee.

Answer 8

Americans drink alot of tea! I bet their are 50 different types at my grocery store!

Answer 9

I think more people drink tea than most people think. There is so many different flavors to chose from, much more than coffee.

Answer 10

americans do drink a lot of tea.