• Question: what is the science behind the perfect cup of tea.

    Asked by The sarcastic car exhaust to Ryan, Nadine, Matt, Emma, Daniel, Allanah on 11 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Ryan Smith

      Ryan Smith answered on 11 Jun 2019:

      There is probably scientific papers on this subject, but I am not aware of any. I have on the other hand seen some great research on how much effort it would take to suck nutella through a straw, that was interesting.

    • Photo: Matt Keith

      Matt Keith answered on 11 Jun 2019:

      It’s all about the mass transfer (how molecules move) from the tea leaves into the hot water. The stuff that makes tea taste great is called tannins and you need just the right amount to move from the tea bag into the water. Too little and it’ll be very weak, too much and the tea will turn out very bitter.

      If you take it with milk, add this after the tea has brewed. If you add cold milk to a tea bag, then the hot water, you stop these tannins from moving into the water as easily which means it won’t taste good at all!

    • Photo: Allanah Green

      Allanah Green answered on 11 Jun 2019:

      the science behind the perfect cup of tea is making it with love .
      ….. & always teabag, sugar, hot water then milk !

    • Photo: Daniel Wye

      Daniel Wye answered on 11 Jun 2019:

      I don’t drink tea, but my wife says that it should be left for a few minutes, and milk always after water.

    • Photo: Nadine Priestman

      Nadine Priestman answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      I love tea, but never thought about the science behind it. I usually follow the instructions on the packet. They suggest that you use boiling water and a teabag and then let it brew for a good 5-8 minutes before taking the teabag out, the add the milk. Some people prefer to use loose leaf tea, filtered or soft water and milk alternatives in a china cup.

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