Changes

===United States===

===United States===

In the United States, tea can typically be served at all meals as an alternative to coffee, when served hot, or soda, when served iced. Tea is also consumed throughout the day as a beverage. [[Afternoon tea]], the meal done in the English tradition, is rarely served in the United States, although it remains romanticized by small children; it is usually reserved for special occasions like tea parties. Rather than drinking tea hot, many Americans prefer tea served with ice. Iced tea has become an iconic symbol of the southern United States and southern hospitality, often appearing alongside summer barbecue cooking or grilled foods. Iced tea is often made as sweet tea, which is simply iced tea with copious amounts of sugar or sweetener.

In the United States, tea can typically be served at all meals as an alternative to coffee, when served hot, or soda, when served iced. Tea is also consumed throughout the day as a beverage. Afternoon tea, the meal done in the English tradition, is rarely served in the United States, although it remains romanticized by small children; it is usually reserved for special occasions like tea parties. Rather than drinking tea hot, many Americans prefer tea served with ice. Iced tea has become an iconic symbol of the southern United States and southern hospitality, often appearing alongside summer barbecue cooking or grilled foods. Iced tea is often made as sweet tea, which is simply iced tea with copious amounts of sugar or sweetener.

Iced tea can be purchased like soda, in canned or bottled form at vending machines and convenience stores. This pre-made tea is usually sweetened. Sometimes some other flavorings, such as lemon or raspberry, are added. Many restaurants dispense iced tea brewed throughout the day from upright containers. In the United States, about 80% of the tea consumed is served cold, or "iced". Decaffeinated tea is widely available in the United States, for those who wish to reduce the physiological effects of [[caffeine]].

Iced tea can be purchased like soda, in canned or bottled form at vending machines and convenience stores. This pre-made tea is usually sweetened. Sometimes some other flavorings, such as lemon or raspberry, are added. Many restaurants dispense iced tea brewed throughout the day from upright containers. In the United States, about 80% of the tea consumed is served cold, or "iced". Decaffeinated tea is widely available in the United States, for those who wish to reduce the physiological effects of [[caffeine]].

Prior to World War II, the US preference for tea was equally split between [[green tea]] and [[black tea]], 40% and 40%, with the remaining 20% preferring [[oolong tea]]. The war cut off the United States from its primary sources of green tea, China and Japan, leaving it with tea almost exclusively from British-controlled [[India]], which produces black tea. After the war, nearly 99% of tea consumed was black tea. ''Green'', ''oolong'', and ''white'' teas have recently become more popular again, and are often touted as health foods.

Prior to World War II, the US preference for tea was equally split between [[green tea]] and [[black tea]], 40% and 40%, with the remaining 20% preferring [[oolong tea]]. The war cut off the United States from its primary sources of green tea, China and Japan, leaving it with tea almost exclusively from British-controlled India, which produces black tea. After the war, nearly 99% of tea consumed was black tea. ''Green'', ''oolong'', and ''white'' teas have recently become more popular again, and are often touted as health foods.

In the past 15 years fast food coffee chains have made a huge impact on how Americans are exposed to tisanes and exotic teas. Once considered a rarity, ''chai'', based on Indian ''[[masala chai]]'' has actually become a popular choice for latte drinkers. Although not as commercialized, Bubble tea from Taiwan has also become popular in the United States in recent years, often served in small local cafes in the same style as many coffee drinks.

In the past 15 years fast food coffee chains have made a huge impact on how Americans are exposed to tisanes and exotic teas. Once considered a rarity, ''chai'', based on Indian ''[[masala chai]]'' has actually become a popular choice for latte drinkers. Although not as commercialized, Bubble tea from Taiwan has also become popular in the United States in recent years, often served in small local cafes in the same style as many coffee drinks.