How to Make Tea the British Way - Anglophenia Ep 31

Summary

In this video, Anglophenia explores the traditional British way of making tea, diving into the cultural significance of tea in the UK. It provides tips for making the perfect cup, such as using freshly boiled water and steeping tea for 2-5 minutes. The ongoing debate about whether to add milk before or after tea is addressed, along with preferred types of tea, like English breakfast. The host also discusses British tea habits, including 'builder’s brew' and biscuit dunking, highlighting the love for tea in British culture.

Takeaways

• ☕ Brits take tea-making seriously, with George Orwell even writing an essay on the perfect cup.
• 🔥 Freshly boiled water, preferably from an electric kettle, is key to making a proper British tea.
• ⏳ Tea should steep for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on personal preference.
• 🥛 98% of Brits drink tea with milk, but there's debate about whether milk goes in first or after water.
• 🔬 Scientists at University College London suggest adding milk after water for tea made in a cup, but adding milk first when tea is brewed in a pot.
• 🍵 The most common tea in Britain is English Breakfast, a blend of black teas.
• 🫖 Brits prefer using tea bags at home, but loose-leaf tea is often served in restaurants and hotels.
• 👷 A 'builder's brew' refers to extra strong tea with milk and sugar, popular among builders and tradesmen.
• 🍪 Dunking biscuits (less sweet cookies) into tea is a popular British habit, with Rich Tea and Digestive biscuits being favorites.
• 😊 The best cup of tea is often the one made by someone else.

Q & A

What percentage of tea consumed in the U.S. is iced?

85% of tea consumed in the U.S. is iced.

Why do Brits prefer hot tea over iced tea?

Brits prefer hot tea because it helps them get through the cloudy, rainy, and generally gray weather in the UK.

What is the typical steeping time for a cup of tea according to recent research?

The typical steeping time for tea is around 2 to 5 minutes, depending on personal preference.

What is the traditional debate about milk and tea in the UK?

The debate is whether milk should be added before or after the tea. Recent findings suggest that milk should be added after the water when making tea in a cup, but added first when making tea in a pot.

What is the most popular type of tea in the UK?

English breakfast tea, a blend of black teas, is the most popular tea in the UK.

What is a ‘builder’s brew’?

A builder's brew is extra strong tea with milk and sugar, traditionally associated with tradesmen and workers.

What’s the difference between a ‘white without’ and a ‘builder’s brew’?

A 'white without' refers to tea with milk but no sugar, whereas a builder's brew is strong tea with milk and sugar.

What kind of biscuits are best for dunking in tea, according to the script?

Rich tea biscuits are considered the best for dunking, with chocolate ones being even better. Digestive biscuits are also praised for being good dunkers.

What is a common failure when dunking American cookies in tea?

American cookies often crumble under the heat of the tea, making them unsuitable for dunking.

How do most people in the UK drink their tea?

98% of people in the UK drink their tea with milk, making the milk and tea order a widely debated topic.