ICED TEA CELEBRATES 95TH BIRTHDAY: WEIRD USES FOR TEA

ICED TEA CELEBRATES 95TH BIRTHDAY: WEIRD USES FOR TEA

SAN FRANCISCO (Wireless Flash) -- Can you believe iced tea is not much older than Ronald Reagan? In fact, iced tea is celebrating its 95th birthday today (June 1). According to the Tea Council of the U.S.A., iced tea was invented in June of 1904 at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. The concoction was dreamed up by tea promoter Richard Blechynden as a way to boost sagging sales of tea during the hot summer months. The Tea Council has declared June "National Iced Tea Month" and reports that the average American drinks nearly 80 pints of iced tea each year. Iced tea can also be used for more than just drinking. According to tea expert Diana Rosen, ice tea can disinfect wounds, clean furniture and even kill foot fungus.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Brown (Tea Council); NYC; (212) 941-1414; Diana Rosen (tea expert); Arrange with Joanne Brown; Pownal, VT; (802) 823-5811, ext. 238