Commercial tea cultivation in the Americas began in 1744, when seeds were sent to the Trust Garden in Savannah, Georgia. The first documented success came in 1772 on Skidaway Island near Savannah. However, it was Junius Smith who established the first commercially viable tea plantation in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1848. Later, in 1884, the U.S. government tested tea cultivation in South Carolina but concluded that the climate was too unpredictable for consistent large-scale production. Nevertheless, American-grown tea has persisted into modern times, particularly in South Carolina and Hawaii, where local plantations attract attention for their unique, artisanal products.
The 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant innovations that shaped American tea culture. The Great American Tea Company, founded in New York City in 1859 by George F. Gilman and George Huntington Hartford, later became the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) in 1870, establishing the first national tea and coffee business. Imports from China, and later India and Japan, expanded the market, while new inventions like the tea bag in 1908 simplified preparation. The 1904 World’s Fair introduced iced tea to a broad audience, creating a drink uniquely popular in the U.S., especially in the South. Today, over 85% of tea consumed in the country is served iced, reflecting both cultural preference and climate.
Modern American tea businesses range from large multinational brands to small artisanal producers. Specialty teas, wellness blends, and ready-to-drink bottled teas have surged in popularity, catering to health-conscious consumers and diverse cultural tastes. From colonial imports to iced innovations and domestic cultivation, tea has evolved into a dynamic industry and an enduring part of American lifestyle, blending tradition with modern trends.
The History and Evolution of Tea in the United States
