We Brits may be known for our love of tea, but according to a new study, the majority of us don't know how to make a decent cuppa.
A new study commissioned by the British Science Association looked at the tea-drinking habits of 1,000 Brits as part of British Science Week.
The researchers found that while three quarters of the nation drink at least one cup of tea each day, 80% of us don't let our tea brew for long enough to achieve the optimum taste.
According to the scientists, tea should be brewed for between two and five minutes to release its full flavour.
But 37% of tea-drinkers brew their tea for significantly less time at one to two minutes on average.
“This may be controversial, but the British do not understand how to make tea! Or at least they're not doing it properly. And it's because they don't understand the variables," Mark Miodownik, Professor of Materials and Society at University College London and spokesperson for British Science Week, said in the study.
"Expediency is causing us to throw chemistry out of the window - we're not allowing our tea to brew for long enough, to release the flavours properly."
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On the topic of which goes first, milk or tea, the study found that the majority of people believe if you are making tea in a mug you should add the milk after the boiling water.
Over two thirds (69%) of tea-drinkers add milk after the boiling water, with those aged 65 or over being more likely to add milk before.
The study follows a guide on how to make 'The Perfect Cup Of Tea' which was released by the British Standard's Institution last month.
Although the guide has only just been brought to public attention it was developed in 1980 to help professional tea testers.
The guide states that tea should be left to infuse in a tea pot for six minutes, supporting the UCL finding that the majority of us are missing out on the perfect cuppa due to impatience.
H/T: The Telegraph