I first started coming to visit the Philippines in the year 1990. I came back for visits many times during the 90’s, before finally settling here permanently in 2000. My goodness how things have changed in that short amount of time! I have witnessed the part of the country where I live move from mostly dusty dirt roads to quite modern highways. I have seen structures in this area move from Nipa Huts to glass and steel skyscrapers. Such changes have crept their way into the Filipino diet as well, and believe it or not, I made quite a contribution on that myself!
It all started on one of my trips here in the early 1990’s. If I recall the trip correctly, it was in 1992. Feyma and I got married on my first visit here in 1990, and 1992 was our first visit back to visit her family. In addition, we were bringing our oldest son, Chris for his first trip to the Philippines.
One of the things that is really a staple in my diet, something that I love to drink is Iced Tea. You see, I lived in the Southern United States for about 10 years (in the state of Louisiana), and Iced Tea is really a popular drink in the South. For those of you reading this from other places, like Europe, I believe that Iced Tea is not well known in those areas. Basically, it is just tea, which most people normally drink hot, but it is chilled and put on ice. Some people like Iced Tea sweet, others drink it unsweetened. I prefer to drink it sweetened with Spenda, since I am diabetic and must avoid sugar.
Anyway, when I came here in 1992, I really wanted some iced tea one day. I asked one of Feyma’s sisters if they could make some iced tea for me and she responded, “What is that?” Well, obviously, iced tea was not something that people drank here! Well, I decided that I would solve that, I went to the store and bought some tea bags and some mineral water. I took this all home to Feyma’s house and I proceeded to make some iced tea. People asked me what I was doing, and I explained it to them, they laughed, saying “you will drink tea cold?” Yep, that was my plan! People just couldn’t understand it, though. The word actually spread around the neighborhood, and people thought I was crazy, I’m sure. I proceeded to make my iced tea, and I enjoyed it immensely! It was so refreshing in the heat of the day! Well, I trained some of my sisters-in-law how to make iced tea for me, and it became a daily treat at the house!
By the time that I moved to the Philippines, Iced Tea was already a very popular drink all over the country! However, they don’t brew tea here and put it on ice. They drink the prepared mixes, like Nestea. Personally, I don’t like those, I prefer to make my iced tea fresh from tea bags. The prepared mixes are way too sweet, and they also don’t really taste like tea, in my opinion.
So, now I am wondering, did my days of making iced tea in 1992 here in the Philippines lead to a national market for the stuff? Ha ha… I doubt it, but I still think that people like Nestea might owe me a founder’s fee! What do you think?
Bob,
Maybe you should market here the glass jugs with a pour spout and the lettering "Sun Tea" with instructions to the amount of tea bags and the length of time to set it in the sun like they do in Southern California.
If you use this idea, 5% is a fair commision. 😀 😆
Hi Bruce – I'm gonna run with the idea! And, don't worry, I'll give you the same commission that Nestea give me! Zero!!! Ha ha ha…. 😆 Well, maybe I'll give you a free Sun Tea Jug. I'm coming out with English, Tagalog and Bisaya versions. Which one do you want?
Hi Bob,
I remember having Butterfly Iced Tea when I was a little kid in the 70’s. It was quite famous back then and I particularly loved the iced tea at a restaurant called Zulu Restaurant in Makati. I would have a Cliff Sandwich and Butterfly Iced Tea and I though it was the best meal ever. Do you have the recipe for this drink?
Thanks to your blog. It really brought back great memories.
Hello Maynard. No, I am sorry, I can’t help with any such recipe! I wish you luck in finding what you are looking for, though!
Bob, I remember when I was a kid and my father first made us this thing which he called 'Butterfly Iced Tea' (I think that was the brand name), and I thought it strange that there would be this cold sweet tea. Then when TGIFriday's and other US restaurant chains in the Philippines added unlimited iced tea refills to its menu, that's when it started to take off. Being a hardcore tea drinker, I still prefer a nice relaxing cup of green tea, but occasionally I'll go for unsweetened ice tea.
Looking back, it's fascinating to see how much changes have occurred the past two decades. The 90's saw the rise of Starbucks coffee, Giant Malls, and so many new stuff. It has become ingrained in the culture. When I went back home last year I was like a little kid again, just astounded with how much has changed and how much progress occured in less than 5 years since I was away. The Philippines is truly a dynamic place.
Hi Rob – Thanks for visiting! Nice to read your comment.
Yes, indeed, the Philippines made such drastic leaps during the 90's and also since the turn of the century. When I think back to 2000 when I moved here, the place is almost unrecognizable now compared to then! Probably, here in Mindanao, in the 2000's, we are just catching up with the changes that happened in the 90's in Manila and other areas of Luzon. It makes me wonder what changes I will see in future years!
Hmm… so it was TGI Fridays who took my idea for iced tea? Now I have to chase them down for my commissions! 😆
I am an iced tea fanatic, but I don't drink so much of it anymore because of the powdered stuff. I prefer mine brewed like you just a little sugar, never was a fan of "Southern Style" iced tea. Anyhow, the first time I made it Venice tried it and got this horrid look on her face. I asked her what's wrong and she told me the taste was too "pure". HAHAHAHAHA! Well, at least there's two things I can put into the fridge and know noone else will touch (the other is mustard). A side note on splenda, I was so happy when that came out because mom had been a diabetic for many years and the old choices were saccarin and nutrasweet. saccarin in ok, but nutrasweet is just plain poisonous and you wonder how it ever passed fda approval. I've even used spenda making cakes and the end result, you would never taste the difference. It seems to me diabetes is rampant over here, even worse than the US and the culprit is Vetsin (MSG). It causes so many health problems it's basically poisonous. That's my contribution to Philippine society, I am speading the word about the danger of vetsin.
I'm with you, Bob. If you are going to drink iced tea, it needs to come from a tea bag. Nestea? Blecch!
Hi Bob, Tom is right. I love ice tea, made from a tea bag and add "some secrets"… 🙄 Can't explain more, I don't want to talk about 5% or 10% – hahaha. Let's have a great Monday… 😆
Hi Louis – Ah, I also love mustard, and you are right it is not widely used here. By the way, Feyma cooks all kinds of stuff with Splenda, and you are right, you can't tell a difference!
Hi Tom – You're right…. for me Nestea is not even tea! 😆
Hi Klaus – Hmm… secrets? What kind of stuff are you putting in your iced tea? Is it legal? 😆
Hi Bob! I drink at least 5 glasses of iced tea (bottomless) at TGIF and I love iced tea from Wendy's too. I remember going to Taiwan and seeing a Wendy's store there, tried their iced tea. The taste was so different from the Philippines' Wendys! I guess Filipinos really like a lot of things sweet.
Hi Cathy – Yep, the iced tea here is way too sweet for me! I bet the one in Taiwan was probably unsweetened!
Hi Bob –
Don't want to be the spoil-sport and burst any bubbles, but my wife and I enjoyed iced tea in an Angeles City (Pampanga) restaurant that friends took us to in 1984. (Real iced tea, not Nestea mix, served unsweetened with a sugar bowl on the side.) Being outside the gate of Clark AFB, most eateries, hotels, etc., catered to the tastes of US servicemen (and airmen are big on iced tea!). 😉
Plenty of the "American luxuries" not normally available in other island locales were available in the towns just outside the gates of US bases. Guess that's one of the perks of being a serviceman overseas. 😆
Hi Paul – Oh, come on! I think you are just trying to get in on my commission on the iced tea thing! You can't fool me!!! 😆
I sure hope all the changes in the Philippines don't make her lose her charm. I liked the way it used to be.
Hi Bob I drink some times cold tea But for me it's better
I drink Nes-cafe very cold it's instant coffee.
I think you must to take commission of the company because you show the way for cold tea.
Hi Bob, it's legal – from our garden… 😆
Hi Joe Parisi – one thing that is always constant is that things and places change over time. It is something that can't be stopped. I also hope that the Philippines retains some of it's old time charm.
Hi zois – I also enjoy iced coffee too. I'll let you rake in the commissions on that, though! 😆
Hi Klaus – OK, that is good to hear!
hello bob.. i dont know much about davao but im sure by 1992 ,ice tea existed in my part of the country.. im in cebu city and in 1992, ive been drinking ice then and most of the restaurants here already serve ice tea during that time..
i agree that brewing our own tea from a tea bag taste a lot better that the instant powder tea which i find too sweet..
putting lemon and honey makes your ice tea yummy 😆
Well Bob since you like Iced Tea and Calamansi…
Have you tried dunking Black Tea bags in boiling water for like 5 minutes then adding the juice of like 3-4 calamansi and then adding ICE and some sugar – OK splenda (I still prefer REAL sugar though I too am diabetic – and DO NOT try this with Stevia – YUCK YUCK YUCK)
SUPER DUPER YUMMY!!!!
HI Bob,
Back in the 80's I lived in Olongapo City, Zambales and one restaurant had "butterfly tea" which was delicious. They brewed their tea, added a mix of 7-up, confectionary sugar and kalamansi. Excellent.
Hi Bob- Being British I love my tea 1 1/2 spoons of sugar and a splash of milk, none of this iced tea malarky for me. Joking aside I have since stopping smoking 4 years ago been drinking green tea and thoroughly enjoy it. I find like you the Nestea packet iced tea to be revolting.
If I was making ice tea I would make tea in the normal way using a good English breakfast tea squeeze a lemon into the jug and allow it to cool in the fridge add ice and serve.
Hi Cheryll Ann – Well, I haven't tried that exact recipe, although I often put calamansi in my iced tea. I'll have to try it!
Hi Phil – Sounds delicious! Never heard of "butterfly" tea, though!
Hi Jim – Hey, I like it hot and cold, I don't discriminate! Yes, English Breakfast Tea is an excellent choice for a nice glass of iced tea!
Hi athena – Actually, I wasn't talking about Davao. I don't know when Iced Tea was available here. I was talking about my experience in General Santos, and Iced Tea was really an unheard of thing there in the early 90's.
Keep enjoying your tea! 😆
In a hot humid climate – nothing beats Iced Tea (unsweeted, of course). I'm from the south, and could not imagine mowing a lawn on a hot summers day here without it. Some people, in my neck of the woods seem think it needs sugar. Ruins it. It only needs a wedge of lemon and lot's of Ice! About the most refreshing thing ever invented…
BTW, a few props to Louisana. This is the best brand for Iced Tea in the US, hands down (but Bob prolly already knew this!);
http://www.luzianne.com/
Hi RichardInSC – We are in complete agreement about Iced Tea – nothing is more refreshing. Well, Calamansi Juice can come close, though.
Hey, I found a tea that is even better than Luzianne. It is mail order, and I've even had it shipped here to the Philippines before! I don't do that anymore, but their tea is very good.
Check here to find it.
bob , have you tried SALABAT ? its ginger [ luy a] boiled in distilled or spring bottled water. its therapeutic!!!!!! give it a try…. and let me know
Hi TV – No, I haven't tried that before. I am not a huge fan of Ginger, so I can't say for sure if I would like it much, but maybe I'll give it a try.
Hi Bob! next time you're in Manila try the Wendy's Iced Tea.. they have an Iced Tea Lite too!
Hi Jay – If I make it to Manila, I'll try to remember that! I rarely go up there. Haven't been off Mindanao for 4 years now! 😆