One of the traditional British class markers is whether you put milk in your cup before you add tea, or vice versa. For the past 150 years at least, tea-first has been upper-class, milk-first middle class (or lower).
Based on the research conducted by Dr Stapley of Loughborough University, it has been confirmed that putting the milk in before the hot tea is the correct way to make a brew. Sorry to those of you who have been putting the milk in last all this time, you’ve been doing it wrong! This somewhat bold claim is all down to the milk heating unevenly when poured into hot tea.
When the milk heats unevenly it makes the proteins denature. This not only does the milk lose its flavour, it is also the culprit for the sticky skin that can form on the top of a cuppa! Brewing your tea in a pot and then adding it to cold milk works to prevent this.
Drinking tea is Britain’s national pastime, and as with any treasured ritual the nation is wracked by bitter disputes on appropriate protocol. This is not a new phenomenon – indeed George Orwell acknowledged as much in his 1946 essay “A Nice Cup of Tea”.
Orwell's heirs find themselves vastly outnumbered, with almost four times as many (79%) preferring to add milk last.
YouGov highlighted that habits here differ by age: the older Brits are the more likely they are to add milk first. While only 4% of 18-24 year olds adding milk first, this rises to 15% among 25-49 year olds, 24% among 50-64 year olds and finally 32% among 65+ year olds.
You may also interested in reading:
Netflix postpones 'Diana: The Interview that Shocked the World' documentary
Halving food waste in the EU by 2030
How Emilie Choi Running Coinbase?
Victoria Moore says that "In the 18th century it is thought that aristocrats would pour the milk first, perhaps so as not to stain or crack their fine china. By the early 20th century this social habit had reversed: putting your milk in first had come to be seen as an irredeemably middle-class affliction. In Noblesse Oblige, published in 1956, Nancy Mitford refers scathingly to 'MIFs' (Milk in Firsts), whom she defines as being 'non-U' (non-upper class)."
On the other hand, in Tea Culture Beverly Dubrin says that according to speculation, the lower classes could not afford high quality porcelain cups, and pouring the milk in first prevented lesser quality earthenware cups from cracking.
How royal butlers make Queen's Tea?
Aficionados would probably know all this. Fortnum & Mason (obviously) has plenty of information on the history of tea. But Grant has brought the debate mainstream.
Mirror revealed Grants steps to prepare a royal brew:
1. Pour the tea into the cup from a teapot
2. Add milk to the cup after the tea, never before
3. Stir back and forth - never use a circular motion and never touch the sides
4. Sip from the cup, do not slurp!
They finally revealed Queen's favourite blend
If you care so much as to follow these steps, you might also be keen to learn about the Queen's favoured blends.
"I am sure the Queen enjoys her Assam or her Earl Grey the traditional way, made with tea leaves in a teapot and poured into a fine bone china teacup. She will also use a strainer."
"It is also a myth that members of Royalty use their pinky when drinking, I have never seen that happen once."
Sticking your pinky finger our – another 'posh' myth.
Later City, End//
Comments