This week, we posed a question to our beloved ABR audience: do you take the tea bag out before adding milk? After a short investigation, we discovered that the answer is… there’s no proper answer. Here are some of the ways people justified their responses.

Let’s settle this – do you take the teabag out before adding milk?

The majority of people we polled preferred to leave the tea bag in… but it was a close call!

Here are some of the reasons people gave:

“Once you add milk the tea stops brewing. If you make tea in a teapot, the milk goes into the cup first. If making tea in a cup/mug then the milk goes in last.” – Anne

“I was taught that it was considered bad manners to leave the teabag in.” – Leonie

“Never, get a much better brew leaving it in.” – Ellen

“No, you have to make sure you have the right colour. Strong.” – Tricia”

And then there were the peacemakers:

“It is up to you…try it both ways and stick to the way you like best” – Karen

What do the tea experts say?

Even the experts seem to have different opinions on the perfect way to make a cup of tea. Depending on the blend, there are different methods. Read the instructions on the brand’s packet – most will specify water temperature, brewing time and even the type of water to use!

Tea making tips from tea companies

Here’s what two of the big brands say on the issue:

Yorkshire Tea: “When you add cold milk, the temperature of the water lowers and the tea doesn’t brew so well. 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.”

The Queen only drinks tea leaves – otherwise we’d ask for her official advice. But it looks like it’s settled: tea bag in, leave to brew, tea bag out, add milk. Sorry.