The perfect cuppa

Thank God for tea!
What would the world do without tea?
- how did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.

(Sydney Smith 1771 - 1845)


Passionate words uttered such a long time ago, but centuries later the same sentiment is shared by most Brits. One of tea's most ardent supporters, George Orwell, insisted there were 11 rules for making the perfect cuppa:

Orwell’s brewing musts

1. Use tea from India or Ceylon (Sri Lanka), not China
2. Use a teapot, preferably ceramic
3. Warm the pot over direct heat
4. Tea should be strong - six spoons of leaves per 1 litre
5. Let the leaves move around the pot - no bags or strainers
6. Take the pot to the boiling kettle
7. Stir or shake the pot
8. Drink out of a tall, mug-shaped tea cup
9. Don't add creamy milk
10. Add milk to the tea, not vice versa
11. No sugar!

But, everyone seems to have their own opinion on this controversial subject. Not everyone agrees with the Animal Farm author. Most recent research by the Royal Society of Chemistry has proclaimed that 'the milk should go in first' - this is all due to denaturing milk proteins. Oh, of course!

So, to be fair to both parties involved we'll show you the science based recommendations for the best way to make tea.

Clever chemists’ recipe

• Ingredients: Loose leaf Assam tea, soft water, fresh chilled milk, white sugar.
• Implements: Kettle, ceramic teapot, large ceramic mug, fine mesh tea strainer, tea spoon, microwave oven.
• Method:
- Draw fresh soft water and place in the kettle and boil. While waiting for the water to boil place a teapot containing a quarter of a cup of water in a microwave oven on full power for one minute.
- Place one rounded teaspoon of tea per cup into pot.
- Take the pot to the kettle as it is boiling, pour on to the leaves and stir.
- Leave to brew for three minutes.
- The ideal receptacle is a ceramic mug.
- Pour milk into the cup first followed by the tea, aiming to achieve a colour that is rich and attractive.
- Add sugar to taste.

However, we’re sure you probably know better than either party. Tell us your own ways to get the best from your tea on our comment board – biscuit recommendations most welcome too.