5 of the Best Iced Teas Around

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iced tea from Columbia Distributing

 

Iced teas are, perhaps surprisingly, a relatively new thing in the American consciousness. It’s only been a bit over a hundred years, after all, since the World’s Fair in St. Louis when Englishman Richard Blechynden served it up cold to the public. Today, the overwhelming majority of tea consumed by Americans is served iced.  Here is a selection of some of the better options for iced tea on the market.

  1. Kombucha Teas – The New Rage

You might have heard about this by now – especially if you frequent the gym or watch fitness programs. Kombucha is a type of tea-inspired beverage that has quite a few superstar qualities. Composed of probiotics, fungi, fermented tea and natural sugars, it is advertised as being able to stave off certain cancers, supply your body with loads of natural energy without the impending crash, weight loss, and immune system fortification. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage for the most part, although the fermentation process can give it a slight alcoholic kick.

  1. Snapple Tea

A true success story, Snapple was once a much smaller brand that found tremendous favor with the public; it is one of the most well-received cold ice teas on the market – ever. After just nine years of being out in the open, they were bought out and now form an essential part of the Dr. Pepper soft drink empire. A cool, refreshing sweet tea that comes in many delicious flavors such as Mango tea, Diet Peach, Snapple Apple, Green Tea and Orange Carrot.

  1. Numi Organic Tea

Another brand that started small and flourished explosively in the past decade, Numi Organic Tea comes from all the regions of the world. The herbs that comprise this delectable beverage are grown in India, Africa, China, South America and other places. The brother and sister team are also very artistic, and design the packaging on the brand. You can find green teas, bottled teas, herbal teas, chocolate teas, turmeric teas and more – all carried by Columbia Distributing. An ice tea made of orange spice or white rose makes for an amazing summer day.

 

  1. Yerbae Sparkling Water

Although marketed as sparkling water, Yerbae is enhanced with white tea extract; you can just catch the fleeting scent of the water that’s also mixed with guarana seed and a bit of natural caffeine from the tea. It is a calorie-less drink that has all the qualities of spring water. Try the Lemon, Pomegranate Berry and Strawberry Kiwi flavors to avoid missing out. For best results, make sure they’re chilled.

For more than eight decades, the people at Columbia Distributing have believed that when it comes to beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic represent the best of both worlds. Our humble roots in the Pacific Northwest stretch back to the mid 1930s, which proves our long-time commitment to providing our cherished customers throughout Northern California, Oregon and Washington with their choice of successful brands of ice tea and other drinks.

Staying Cool This Summer: 10 Hydration Tips

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Summer Hydration by Columbia Distributing

The summer months these past few years have seemingly been hotter than usual, and the current one is shaping up to be the same. As connoisseurs of iced tea and cold draft beer, the people at Columbia Distributing know a thing or two about hydration in summer. With that said, we’ve compiled a list that should help you stay cool as the mercury rises.

  1. Wear cotton clothing as often as you can. Materials such as polyester, rayon and the various sweat-wicking sportswear actually retain heat better than cotton – and you don’t want that.
  2. Keep a flask of iced tea or cold water with you throughout the day. If you can manage one of those 40 oz cold-preserving flasks, then hydration in summer will be no problem for you. Many of these flasks can keep a beverage cold for a full day — especially if you put ice inside. Remember; by the time you’re actually thirsty — your body’s already been a bit dehydrated.
  3. Ditch the tight-fitting slacks and tops. Not only should your clothing be looser — it should also be light in color unless you live in the Sahara desert.
  4. Watch what you eat. Eschew those large, hot portions that benefit your body during the winter time in favor of cooler fruits and dairy products.
  5. No air conditioner? Head to your local Starbucks or shopping center for the afternoon and cool way down inside. As early evening rolls around, it will start to get a lot more manageable inside your own home.
  6. Exercise cannot wait for the cooler months to roll around; however, you shouldn’t go on a run at high noon this summer. Either start very early, or wait until late. And even then, make sure you carry a bottle of electrolyte-replenishing sports drink or iced tea for hydration.
  7. Take cool or cold showers if you’re in the house and the heat becomes close to unbearable. It will do wonders, as the effects can last for an hour. Do this before bed, in fact, and the heat will be unlikely to keep you from falling asleep.
  8. Although we mentioned fruits earlier, this one deserves its own place because of how essential it is on hot summer days: watermelon. You would be hard-pressed to find a better fruit to eat for hydration and fulfillment — without the excess calories, as 90%-plus of the fruit is actually water.
  9. Buy a fan if you cannot get an air conditioner. It will make a difference on those particularly warm days. In fact, even if you use AC, a fan will circulate the cold air and make it feel cooler at less of an overall cost to you.
  10. Hydration in summer does NOT mean you can drink anything cold. Caffeine-laden drinks and alcohol should be imbibed in moderation, as too much will dehydrate you.