The invention of instant tea

Instant tea has been in existence since the 1930s, when a hot-water-soluble liquid tea concentrate was extracted by the Indian Tea Bureau in New York. But it was not commercialized until later.

England produced instant black tea in the 1940s. The American marketed it commercially in the early 1950s followed by instant cold-water tea also in the 1950s.

Nestlé introduced the first instant tea in 1946. Instant iced tea was introduced in 1953 under the label ‘White Rose Redi-Tea; by the Seeman Brothers of New York City.

These products often come with added flavors, such as chai, vanilla, honey or fruit and may also contain powdered milk.
The invention of instant tea