There's a builder's brew or more of a milky tea - but what makes the perfect cuppa?
We all have our own way of making the quintessentially British hot drink, but Yorkshire Tea has shared its five-step sure-fire method for making a 'proper brew'.
As someone who loves a cup of tea and as a fan of the brand, this National Tea Day, I thought I'd put their expert technique to the test.
And not only has it made me realise the mistakes I had been making this whole time, but it has changed the way I will be making a brew for good.
I've learnt I wasn't brewing it for anywhere near long enough to give it time to work its magic in the mug, and there were little things along the way that I hadn't thought about until hearing from the pros.
So, here is how to make the perfect tea, according to Yorkshire Tea.
Step 1 - Treat your water kindly
The experts suggest running the tap a little first before putting water in the kettle, which I've definitely not thought to do in the past.
They say this way ensures that the water is nicely aerated. And then only boil the water once to keep the oxygen level up.
"Oxygen in water helps flavour!" they say.
Step 2 - Add tea and water
Once the kettle is boiled, pop a tea bag into your mug, pour over the hot water and stir briefly.
Step 3 - Wait patiently
This was the hardest part. Yorkshire Tea says to unlock all its flavour, "give it 4-5 minutes to do its thing."
I'd usually have added milk after probably less than a minute, so waiting this long felt like a lifetime.
Step 4 - Give it a squeeze
Before removing the tea bag, gently squidge it against the side of the mug.
"Just the once, mind - if you really mash it, it'll taste bitter," they say.
This is where I've also gone wrong in the past, as I'd usually mash it up the sides a few times, thinking I was doing it a favour.
Why don't they teach you these things in school?
Step 5 - Customise your brew
This is when you can add your milk of choice, or honey and lemon if you're posh.
I added a bit more than a splash of sem-skimmed milk and stirred it to create the shade of how I usually take it.
Whether to add milk first or last can be a contentious issue, but the experts at Yorkshire Tea have settled it.
"The truth is that this great debate can be solved in less time than it takes to dunk a digestive," they began.
"It's all a question of heat. Tea brews best in very hot water, but adding milk cools things down.
"So if you're brewing tea directly in a mug, it's better to add the milk last, after it's brewed.
"And if you’re brewing in a teapot, the order doesn't matter at all – it's just a question of personal preference."
Verdict
It might have been the best brew I've made.
The trusted flavour was just right - not too strong and not too bitter.
It went down very quickly, however I found I had to drink it faster as I could feel it wasn't as hot as my usual brew - and this could be down to the fact I had to sit and watch it stew for five minutes.
But I did appreciate giving it that extra care and attention it deserves, seeing me slow down and enjoy the process more instead of being in a rush.
Going forward, it will see me change how I make a brew for good.
How do you like to make your tea? Let us know in the comments.
