Tea in the United States has a strong presence shaped by everyday consumption habits, restaurant service traditions, and a growing specialty beverage market. In major hubs such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, tea appears through tea houses, cafés, bubble tea shops, and specialty retailers offering loose-leaf imports, matcha drinks, and modern iced tea variations. In other parts of the country, tea is more commonly encountered through restaurants, grocery stores, and home preparation, where tea bags and ready-to-drink bottled teas dominate everyday consumption. Competitive or cultural pathways are supported primarily by specialty retailers, café entrepreneurs, and tea import networks rather than formal institutions. Compared with more dominant beverages such as coffee and soft drinks, tea tends to sit as a widespread but secondary beverage category, often consumed casually rather than ceremonially. Regional traditions still shape its identity, particularly in the American South where sweet iced tea is commonly served with meals and social gatherings. Roughly 85% of tea consumed in the United States is served cold, reflecting the country’s distinctive iced-tea tradition. With continued expansion of specialty tea cafés, international tea influences, and health-focused beverage trends, tea in the United States is positioned for steady growth within the broader beverage landscape.