Over two thirds of the nation now favours unsweetened tea, and we’d rather get our sugar fix on the side, with a biscuit, over a cake or a bun
Politicians and celebrities, including The Prime Minister, share their tea drinking habits
The nation remains loyal to its builder’s tea, with nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of people favouring this brew over herbal and ‘classic’ tea, according to a survey by charity Dementia UK. And, over half of us (52 per cent), would rather squeeze the tea bag over dunking or brewing it in a pot.
Keeping up the British tradition, 84 per cent of people add milk to their tea, while only three per cent prefer to add lemon. But, our sweet tooth could be waning, as 69 per cent of people surveyed don’t add sugar or sweetener to their tea.
Given the choice, people are still putting their hands up for a biscuit to accompany their tea, over a cake or bun. 70 per cent of people prefer a biscuit with their tea, while 26 per cent would rather eat a cake, and just four per cent would favour a bun.
In support of Dementia UK’s Time for a Cuppa campaign, politicians and celebrities have kindly shared their tea drinking habits. David Cameron, The Prime Minister, favours a cup of Chinese tea or white tea with jasmine, while Norman Lamb, MP and Minister of State for Care and Support, would prefer a builder’s tea with milk. Arlene Phillips, Tracey Crouch MP, and David Blunkett MP, favour a classic tea, like Earl Grey or Lapsang Souchong, while Jane Moore and Penny Lancaster would rather drink builders’. And, Lorelei King prefers to stay loyal to her coffee! Find out more about Dementia UK’s Cuppa Friends and who they would most like to share a pot of tea with – many said their loved ones, like their grandmother, or wife.
Phyllis Logan, Downton Abbey Actress and Dementia UK Time for a Cuppa Ambassador comments: “’Have a cup of tea’ seems to be the British answer to everything. Over tea, you chat and share your problems, and laugh together about happy times. That’s why I support Time for a Cuppa; it’s an opportunity for people to get together over a cup of tea and help raise funds for more Admiral Nurses, who are specialist dementia nurses. Admiral Nurses are a lifeline for so many families but we urgently need more of them. I am determined to support Dementia UK and give more people with dementia and their carers a better quality of life.”
Dementia UK is marking its 20th anniversary by inviting tea drinkers across the nation to host their own Time for a Cuppa party, from 1st – 8th March 2015, to help raise funds for more Admiral Nurses, who are specialist dementia nurses. Thanks to Time for a Cuppa 2014, 1,000 more families now receive care and support from an Admiral Nurse, to enable them to live as positively as possible with dementia.
Supporters can visit www.timeforacuppa.org to find out more information or to order a free tea-party pack, which includes games, activities, posters and invites; everything they need to have a successful fundraiser.
