Is it Ice Tea or Iced Tea?
For many, this is a hard-fought debate. Is it ice tea or iced tea? While it’s something that has confused patrons of cafés and tea-houses alike for generations, the answer is – both are correct.
What is the difference then?
The difference is geographic in nature, rather than a matter of opinion. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re in the southeast United States, you’d be ordering ‘iced tea’, while if you’re in the northern United States you’d be ordering ‘ice tea’.
Weighing it up
Let’s take a look at the two terms in order to help us understand the differences more clearly:
- Ice tea – refers to cold tea that has cubes of ice added to it when served.
- Iced tea – refers to tea that has been steeped, then chilled, but without the addition of ice.
This rule also applies to all countries around the world, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Conclusion
No matter which way you say it, both ‘ice tea’ and ‘iced tea’ can refer to the same beverage. So next time you visit your favorite café or tea-house, there’s no need to worry whether you’re saying it right – because both are correct!
