HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUPPA

IN BRITAIN, WE DRINK AROUND 165 MILLION CUPS OF TEA A DAY, SO LET’S GET IT RIGHT. FOOD SCIENTIST DR STUART FARRIMOND REVEALS ALL…

- DR STUART FARRIMOND

MAKE IT IN A MUG…

… or a tea cup. Avoid disposable Styrofoam cups. They’re the worst. Styrofoam is porous so it will absorb some of the flavour compounds and affect the taste. If you’re on the go, opt for reusable cups made from inert materials like ceramic or glass. Plastics can absorb flavours over time, so will kill the flavour of what you’re drinking.

IF YOU LIKE YOUR TEA SWEET, GO FOR AN ORANGE MUG.

There’s a huge amount of psychology involved in the way we perceive taste. For example, hot drinks taste sweeter if they’re in an orange or red mug, compared to if they’re in a blue or white mug. Similarly, if you were to drink from a fine bone china cup, you’d probably associate that with being special, and would be more likely to taste and appreciate the flavours.

LOOSE LEAF GIVES MORE FLAVOUR THAN TEA BAGS.