Why do Brits drink tea with milk?

28.09.08, 14:57
I know it's a matter of taste but is there any story behind that custom?
    • jonathan.oakley Re: Why do Brits drink tea with milk? 28.09.08, 21:52
      LOL circus size!!!

      It is an interesting point that you have raised: drinking black tea
      is definately better for your health as it improves the ability of
      the arteries to relax and thus expand and keep blood pressure
      healthy.

      In Hong Kong dai pai dong milk tea is very popular-this is basically
      a small cup of black tea sweetened with evaporated milk.

      The tea break is a great British tradition but why do we add milk?

      The importing of tea into Britain began in the 1660s. Between 1690
      and 1750 tea gained nationwide popularity-the other major import at
      this time was sugar cane. So the British began drinking sweet tea,
      probably because they felt that drinking tea 'neat' tasted rather
      bitter. The addition of milk was probably done to neutralize acidity.
      • gardenersdog Re: Why do Brits drink tea with milk? 29.09.08, 02:07
        U're right. Adding milk is not healthy (from European Heart Journal:)

        'Researchers in the past have claimed that milk had no effect on tea because it
        does not change overall concentration of polyphenols in the blood. But, Stangl
        told New Scientist, what is important are specific polyphenols, such as EGCG –
        and milk does block those. “It probably also blocks tea’s effect on other
        things, such as cancer,” she says.'

        apart from being yuk:)

        Thank U for ur suggestions. I will still try to find some additional
        information. Maybe Napoleon liked purely black tea and that's why? ;))

        >> > LOL circus size!!!

        LOL it wasn't a personal question:)
        • jonathan.oakley Re: Why do Brits drink tea with milk? 29.09.08, 12:42
          A good black tea is Chinese Kung Fu tea made with mineral water and
          served up in small cups. It's been around since the Song Dynasty 960
          and originates from Southern China. I used to drink it whenever I
          was in Guandong. Famous for it's strong taste,it is a kind of tea
          ceremony which combines spirit, ritual, brewing technique, art, and
          appreciation into one. :-)
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