People from around the world often wonder why the English drink milk with their tea. The answer is that in the 17th and 18th centuries the china cups tea was served in were so delicate they would crack from the heat of the tea. Milk was added to cool the liquid and stop the cups from cracking.
In both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, tea-drinking blends and preferences vary. Although typically served with milk, it is also common to drink certain varieties black or with lemon. Sugar is a popular addition to any variety.
In general, adding milk to teas that are high in tannins such as black tea will significantly smooth out the brew. The tannins lead to bitterness and also astringency, which is a drying sensation on the palate. Milk binds to the tannins and also adds a little bit of natural sweetness, evening out the flavor.
The Brits started adding milk to their tea somewhere around the 18th century. The ordinary cups of commoners couldn't bear the heat of piping hot tea.
In 1680 Madame de la Sabliere, served tea with milk at her famous Paris salon. She is traditionally ascribed to introducing the custom to Europe. It is also thought that the poor quality in tea had to be softened with the flavor of milk just to make it palpable.
It became popular during British colonial rule when the British started importing tea. So while Hongkongers were already colossal tea drinkers, the art of tea drinking became even more popular during colonial rule. The Asian people put a twist to the British version by adding milk and sometimes sugar.
When you put milk into infusing tea you lower the temperature of the water so a proper infusion can't take place. To get the best of your brew in a mug, always make the tea first to your taste and strength and the milk after.”
Traditionally, Earl Grey tea is served with a slice of lemon and sugar to taste. According to YouGov, a massive 85% of British Earl Grey and English breakfast tea drinkers enjoy their tea with milk. In the US, they like to add milk and sugar to their Earl Grey tea.
A Unique Tea Service
The Irish are noted for drinking their tea strong and with lots of milk. Traditionally milk was poured into tea cups first to prevent the hot tea from cracking fine china cups.
Tea without milk is typically referred to as "black tea."
What Kind of Milk do British Put in Tea? Usually, and in the past it's been whole milk that Brits use in their tea. In the US, 2% milk is passable, but don't offer me 1% or even talk to me about skim milk. The cream that's in whole milk adds a lot to the flavor of a cuppa.
Turns out, it's all to do with taxes. Tea was first brought to Britain in the early 17th century by the East India Company and was presented to King Charles II. His Portuguese wife, Princess Catherine of Braganza, set the trend in drinking tea, which then caught on among the aristocrats of the time.
Adding milk to tea has a few benefits, according to the experts. It can help counteract the tannin's astringent or bitter aspects and adds a few calories and nutrients to an otherwise nutritionally bereft beverage.
A massive 85% of British Earl Grey and English breakfast tea drinkers have their tea with milk. Brits are definitely in the minority here, with the next milkiest country being Sweden, where just 32% take their Earl Grey/English breakfast with milk.
With very little caffeine in tea when compared to coffee, it can also help relax those who drink it, as opposed to encouraging alertness through a high caffeine content. Unlike coffee, tea does not have a bitter or astringent taste, so is liked by a wider variety of individuals.
Generally, Scottish Teas are best with some milk and sugar. Although different viewpoints exist, Brodies recommends adding milk last.
Turkey had the highest rate of tea drinkers in 2022, with nine in ten people saying that they regularly drink the hot beverage. Kenya, a major producer and exporter of tea, also ranked highly in the 56 countries analyzed, with 83 percent of its respondents saying they regularly drink tea.
Black tea. Starting with the winner, black tea is by far is the most popular tea amongst Brits. Black tea and blends of black tea are often enjoyed with milk and the finer particles make for a stronger, distinctive flavour which set it apart from other more delicate and subtle teas.
Americans typically drink their Earl Grey with milk and sugar, but Chatterton prefers it the British way — with lemon and sugar. "Milk has a tendency to do strange things to black tea," he says. "It dulls the flavor a bit. It's not as crisp and sharp.
Samuel Twining has theorized that milk first prevented early china from cracking in reaction to boiling water. That theory appears rather shaky today since boiling water is not poured directly into the cup. By now, it goes without saying that milk should not be added to white, green, or oolong teas.
English Breakfast tea is actually a blend of various kinds of black tea; particularly Assam, Ceylon, Kenyan, and Keemun. The Assam is malty and bitter, the Ceylon piney and sour, the Kenyan fruity and floral, and Keemun citric and smoky. Together these teas combine into one with layers of flavor.
Tea making tips from tea companies
So that warning people sometimes quote, about how you should never let milk and tea bags touch, is actually good advice.” Twinings official website says: “When using tea bags, let the tea fully infuse the water first before adding your milk.”
Supposedly. To test the recipe for the perfect cup of tea put forward in 1946 by George Orwell himself, Dr Stapley of Loughborough University established that putting the milk in after the boiling water is incorrect, as it causes the milk to heat unevenly (as opposed to pouring the water on top of it).
The reasoning behind adding milk first
He said the minerals found in hard water prevents the flavour compounds from forming. As milk contains certain proteins which lower the waters mineral content, it makes the tea taste better. This is according to the research undertaken by Professor Mackay.