Scientist CONFIRMS the 'correct' order to add milk to your cup of tea ☕

It's a debate as old as time

Author: Georgie HollandPublished 7th Apr 2021
Last updated 7th Apr 2021

It's safe to say that we all have our own special way of making a cuppa, but disputes over how weak or strong a cup of tea should be have nothing on the age-old debate of whether or not the milk should go in the mug first, or last.

Spilling the tea on the perfect cuppa is none other than the head of Leeds University’s School Of Food Science & Nutrition, Alan Mackie, who has revealed that pouring your milk FIRST can in fact gain you the perfect cup of tea, for the very obvious reason that its proteins lower the mineral content of the water and lock in the flavour (of course).

Lying at the centre of this revelation, however, is how hard your water is. Yes, you read that right - HARD water. Water's hardness is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains - hard water has higher levels of these, along with other minerals.

Confused yet by this controversial announcement? Well, Alan explained, "Flavour by and large is produced by the different compounds in tea including tannins in particular.

"The more minerals present in the water the more difficult it is for these compounds to develop the flavour, resulting in the dull cuppas you get in hard water areas."

He then continued with the shocking revelation, "Making tea the traditional way - steeping a bag in hot water before removing it and adding milk - results in the tannins turning into solids before they can develop the flavour properly."

Unveiling Alan's research was INTU Boiling Water Taps, who proudly announced, "A decent cuppa brings joy and brightens the day, but for too many it remains a distant dream, with hard water to blame.

"But by enlisting the services of the nation’s foremost food scientist, at INTU we’re delighted to be able to bring an end to the misery that blights millions of lives."

Now check out the best low calorie chocolate bars...

Nestlé Kit Kat

Calories in two fingers of Kit Kat (21g): 106kcal


Have a break, have a Kit Kat - a phrase we like to live by.

Cadbury Fudge

Calories in a Fudge bar (25.5g): 98kcal


For just a little taste of the sweet stuff, a finger of Fudge will definitely hit the spot with just 98 calories per bar.

Mars' Milky Way

Calories in a 21.5g bar Milky Way: 97kcal


A lower calorie option than its cousins Mars and Snickers bars, a Milky Way is only 97 calories.

Mars' Bounty

Calories in one Bounty portion (28.5g): 139kcal


Made with real coconut, a Bounty bar is basically one of our five a day, right?

Nestlé Aero

Calories in one Aero bar (27g): 144kcal


Aeros are super satisfying to eat, and thanks to the plentiful 'bubbles' only comes in at 144 calories.

Malteasers

Calories in a pack of Maltesers (37g): 186kcal


Maltesers were the OG light chocolate treat, with just, and we can't quite believe we're saying this, 11 calories per ball. But please, scoff the whole bag.

OR a Maltesers Bunny/Reindeer

Calories in a Maltesers Bunny/Reindeer (29g): 156kcal


Who can forget about the newer addition to the Malteser fam - the delicious seasonal bunnies and reindeers! As well as being one of the best things to ever happen to humble malt, they're only 156 calories each.

Cadbury Buttons

Calories in a pack of Buttons (30g): 160kcal


Make your 160 calorie bag of Cadbury Buttons last by letting the chocolate melt onto your tongue. Mmmm. Or shove them all in at once, whatever feels good.

Cadbury Flake

Calories in a Flake bar (32g): 167kcal


Flaky in the best possible way, a Cadbury flake only has 167 calories.

Cadbury Crunchie

Calories in a Crunchie bar (40g): 186kcal


Closer to the higher end of the spectrum, Cadbury Crunchies are worth all 186 of those sweet, sweet calories.

Cadbury TimeOut Wafer

Calories in a TimeOut Wafer bar (21.2g): 112kcal


All was not lost when the iconic TimeOut bar was discontinued, with its scrumptious wafer-bar replacement amounting to a pleasant 112 calories per snack. As if this perfect tea dipping treat could get any better!

Cadbury Creme Egg

Calories in a Creme Egg (40g): 177kcal



Only on sale between Christmas and Easter (boo!) Cadbury Creme Eggs are a cult fave with only 177 calories.

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