By Rob Hallberg
As most of us know or suspect, Coffee is more popular in the US than Tea. But that was not always the case.
Coffee houses were popular in the 1700’s, but Tea was the most favored drink in the New World until 1773. That year the colonists revolted against the heavy tax placed on Tea by King George III, and the Boston Tea Party would forever change American drinking preferences.
Consumption and popularity of coffee increased, especially during the civil war. In 1864, the Arbuckle brothers began selling pre-roasted coffee beans to cowboys in the west and James Folger sold coffee to miners in California with great success. Several other brands, including Maxwell House and Hills Brothers followed suit.
Similarities and Differences: Both Tea and Coffee extract their flavors from dried versions of the plants which are affected by growing conditions that can change their taste and effect. They both contain caffeine and are prepared similarly, using hot water to extract the active ingredients. But the similarities stop there.
Tea contains many powerful antioxidants and has been noted to help in a number of medical conditions, including cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol, aging and skin disease. Coffee has no medicinal value, except it helps with asthma by relaxing the airways in the lungs.
Coffee is usually consumed hot and during breakfast (65%), while 85% of tea is served cold and often later in the day.
Over time, there have also been lifestyle differences associated with each beverage. Tea is a genteel beverage, requiring preparation and time to sip. The coffee culture, however, can be fast paced and frenetic. Consider the lines inside and around the block in drive-thrus as people pick up large cups of coffee.
Both coffee and tea continue to grow in popularity. Coffee shops are growing at a faster rate than food chains; Tea shops and gourmet products are gaining in popularity throughout the US. With an increased interest in health and natural products, we may one day opt for a drive-thru tea café’ instead of Starbucks.
