Richard Blechynden

Iced Tea, the beverage Blechynden is credited with popularizing

Richard Blechynden was an American merchant who is credited with popularizing Iced tea. Blechynden sold iced tea at the 1904 World's Fair, after which the drink attained nationwide recognition.^[1]

History of Iced Tea

Iced tea drinks were considered a local custom in parts of the American south, namely in the Carolinas. One of the first official recipes for Iced tea was published in Virginia in 1878.^[2][3]

Blechynden and Iced Tea

Richard Blechyden was a merchant and tea plantation owner in turn of the century America. Blechyden reportedly decided that serving a cool tea drink would be more profitable than hot tea during the World's Fair. The tea sold so well that it gain national popularity after the event.

References

1. Irwin, Lyndon N. "1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair: The Iced Tea Question". Lyndon Irwin Genealogy Page (blog). Lyndon Irwin.
2. "The Sweet History of Iced Tea". Revolution Tea L.L.C.
3. Tyree, Marion Cabell (1878). "Iced Tea". Housekeeping In Old Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: J.W. Randolph & English. p. 64 – via Mississippi State University.