How much milk in your tea?
Posted by Simple-Tomatillo9269@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 100 comments
Hi, I am not from the UK and I have been drinking English Breakfast tea. I enjoy it, thanks. But I don't put any milk or sugar in it. Is that odd to you? Most British people I know say it is wrong. Thanks for your input.
bqw74@reddit
for a mug of tea, I'd say you want 1 single shot of milk.
jcmbn@reddit
Tea without milk or sugar is a perfectly valid choice if that's the way you prefer it.
Anyone who says something like this is right/wrong needs to get a life.
JaggedOuro@reddit
Nobody in Britain will say its wrong. While most have milk many don't
Cheap-Vegetable-4317@reddit
It is not wrong. It is common to put some lemon in black tea though, and if it is strong then normally sugar.
Any-Race258@reddit
The perfect cuppa is the colour of He-man. No sugar. Bag in for me.
Large_Reindeer_7328@reddit
The colour of He-man is a great descriptor, that made me laugh.
Rhythm_Killer@reddit
Wow. This is progress. So true even allowing for NTSC to PAL conversion
WestPreference7745@reddit
Old Brit here, I don’t take milk or sugar in tea. Can drink any strength as long as it’s hot. Please never suggest an Earl Grey (spawn of the devil) or a lovely fruit and herbal mix .
Mediocre-Smile5908@reddit
You know those little pots of milk you get in hotel rooms? That's slightly too much for me.
KeyboardMash615@reddit
Sugar is for builders. It's the only reason anything gets built. Not many people take it without milk, but there are some.
ForceSea3027@reddit
Mug - stained inside to retain flavour. (Chipped rim & handle optional) Yorkshire Tea teabag. Hot/boiling water. 4 sugars. Soya milk - not cow titty juice. NO teapot rubbish either. After brewing teabag in hot water for 2 mins, squeeze teabag on spoon & between thumb & finger. Add 4 sugars & stir. Add soya milk & stir until a pasty white complexion. Enjoy with mackerel soufflé & jammy dodgers. 👍 Yr welcome.
myblackandwhitecat@reddit
I only drink red bush tea because it is caffeine free. No milk and no sugar.
Boulder_Brock@reddit
About this much 🤏
Separate-Region2070@reddit
Breakfast tea - should strong but not over brewed. Take with milk to taste (a dash in my case) or black. but definitely no sugar! I my opinion.
Responsible-Delay-99@reddit
Just a tad
Hamsternoir@reddit
I'll go with a splash, not sure if it's more or less then a tad though.
Qabbalah@reddit
Less than a tad, but more than a smidgen.
Calm_Set_9433@reddit
You can drink without milk and sugar of course but I drink it will semi-skimmed milk. X
Gornal-Annie6133@reddit
“Milk and sugar is the only thing that makes the stuff drinkable”………Spike Milligan
mikec62x@reddit
Nope, zero milk and zero sugar for me
terryjuicelawson@reddit
People mostly pretend to have strong opinions on tea, when it comes to how others "should" have it. Have it how you like it. A lot of English teas are rather strong and bitter to be drunk without milk is the only thing really, a green tea tends to work better.
MR_OOPERS@reddit
I think sugar in your tea is just wrong. However, I'm not going to win that argument. I like it strong with a tiny splash of milk. I would rather no milk than a 50/50 mix.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
I find sugar really brings out the flavour of the tea and balances any bitterness, only needs a touch. Considering say coca-cola has the equivalent of about 9 teaspoons in a can, one is alright.
schwillton@reddit
Not British so no doubt my perspective will he different but the only reason I ever drink tea is as an excuse to eat biscuits, I feel like adding even more sugar would just be taking the piss
LungHeadZ@reddit
That's why you eat rich tea biscuits with tea. They're quite plain but tasty
TheFloatingCamel@reddit
It’s your tea, drink it how you like and let no one tell you it’s wrong.
Prudent-Locksmith695@reddit
I like it roughly 80% water, 20% milk
KingKhram@reddit
Nothing wrong with no milk in your tea. I only add a dash of milk and if I run out of milk then I'll have no milk, until I buy more milk
lavayuki@reddit
I like milky tea so I put more than most people, so until it's a light tan colour. No sugar though
Martinonfire@reddit
Just a splash, thanks
Fyonella@reddit
I’m English. No milk nor sugar in any type of tea or coffee. It’s not about ‘wrong’ or ‘right’, it’s personal taste.
YouSayWotNow@reddit
Although we're strongly associated with tea, Brits don't own it, nor were we even the first to cultivate and use tea as a beverage.
I prefer most types of tea without milk and that's totally fine.
Within my friendship group and family I know people who have no milk, people who have just a few drops and people who have almost as much milk as boiling water!!!
GoodTato@reddit
I'm usually a no milk no sugar kind of person, though I'm also much more of an actual "tea enjoyer" than most people (and imo milk only really works for black/red tea, never liked it in green or white teas. Which tend to be what I drink most these days).
worldworn@reddit
As a tea drinking nation, we vary and don't all drink it the same.
Some have it black (although rare) others seem to have more tea than water.
Most people I know, have a splash of milk and vary on the amount of sugar they want.
SpudFire@reddit
I don't drink tea but I drink coffee black no sugar. A lot of people think that's weird but in my opinion, adding either is for people that don't actually like the taste of coffee. Even half a teaspoon of sugar completely masks the taste of the coffee for me. And I'm somebody that has a sweet tooth so would be expected to be OK adding sugar to anything.
If that's how you like your tea then drink it like that. There's no right or wrong. People that get so bothered about how people have their tea/coffee are weird - you're not asking them to drink it so why do they care?
ClevelandWomble@reddit
About 15ml
FredH3663@reddit
There is no right or wrong, it is your tea drink it how you like it
Dry_Action1734@reddit
I love it black (that is to say, without milk or sugar).
Very bitter, so some don’t like it. But nothing wrong with it.
Anaptyso@reddit
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, it's also a healthier option that way. I love the taste of a bitter tea with no sugar or milk, and there's not many treats I can drink which are that tasty and comforting without having lots of calories in them.
Prestigious_Emu6039@reddit
It's traditional to let the tea brew then add milk.
LungHeadZ@reddit
Add milk after you've stewed and removed the teabag.
jibbit@reddit
people saying "it is your preference", but what that misses i think is that most people are brewing it far too strong to drink without milk, it would physically make you wretch. the milk makes it palatable. if you are enjoying it black you are probably brewing much weaker than is typical
Oohoureli@reddit
What are these "tea bags" of which so many of you speak?
Loose leaf tea, brewed for at least three minutes. About two tablespoons of whole milk at room temperature, or slightly warmed. Experiment to taste with the quantity of milk (including none - lots of people drink black tea). There is no "right" way, only what is right for you.
The milk always goes in the cup first, never afterwards. Otherwise the milk can denature and affect the taste and look of your drink.
TSC-99@reddit
You do you
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
I like my tea to be copper coloured. Tea bags squeezed as much as possible, dash of milk. No sugar, I'm sweet enough, Turkish.
DarthScabies@reddit
How long for those sausages?
Special-Audience-426@reddit
I used to like my tea the colour of Dale Winton.
DarthScabies@reddit
David Dickinson too strong for you?
IcyPuffin@reddit
No, its not odd. I know plenty people who dont take milk in tea - myself included. I do take sugar, though.
While adding milk in tea is the most popular way - and the way the 'internet' may have you believe is the only way - it is all personal preference. Same with sugar, it is all personal taste.
So carry on drinking tea the way you enjoy it. It really does not matter what some inaginary 'norm' is.
First_Folly@reddit
Have it how you like. I have half a sugar and stop with the milk when the first of the 'plume' reaches the surface.
CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit
I dont put milk or sugar in tea either. A wee slice of lemon takes the horrible sour tannins out.
OccidentalTouriste@reddit
No milk, no sugar.
SnooGrapes2914@reddit
At work, we all make tea for each other and I always have to remind the other guys I take half a dribble, not half a gallon of milk.
It's you that has to drink it, if you enjoy it without milk then drink it without milk
ProfessionalGrade423@reddit
The correct amount of milk is one blorp. One blorp of milk and no sugar.
Celestial-gem@reddit
Usually 0
Captaingregor@reddit
I couldn't describe it as anything other than a bloop. When I pour the milk in to the mug the duration of the pour is the lengthy of time needed to say bloop.
The British style of brewing black tea makes it very strong but quite astringent due to the tannins, but we like our tea flavour strong so we add a small amount of milk to damp the astringentness.
Superspark76@reddit
Black tea is perfectly acceptable, if you enjoy it that's all that matters.
chaoticchemicals@reddit
I'm British, I drink my tea black and have done since 1994! We are in the minority but I've noticed it becoming more popular in recent years. I also make tea in a pot.
Therashser@reddit
Just a slight touch of milk for me, and no sugar, I like it strong and dark, I grew up without sugar in tea, so now I just cannot drink the tea if somebody has mistakenly puts sugar in it.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
None. I don't like Breakfast Tea to begin with. But If I were forced to drink it, no milk and a bit of sugar is the way to go. I love Earl Grey though and drink it without milk. Raspberry or Mint tea doesn't go with milk either.
Most people also don't know how to make good tea. While English Breakfast requires boiling water, they have no idea that it burns many other teas and ruins flavour.
Salty-Staff-612@reddit
English tea without milk is absurd
SpaTowner@reddit
It really isn’t. It might not be your preference, but some of us prefer it.
Alzdeejay2@reddit
Just a drop 😁
SpaTowner@reddit
I’ve been drinking tea for well over 50 years, I stopped taking milk in tea at maybe age 10. Drinking tea black has always been in the minority here, but it’s far from unknown.
doctorsmagic@reddit
I use significantly more milk in areas with harder water as I find the taste to come out a lot stronger, but at home I don't use much at all, and there's a clear point where the tea goes from weak to undrinkable imo.
intangible-tangerine@reddit
Milk already adds sweetness so sugar is only necessary if you have a sweet tooth.
Add just a splash of milk. Enough to cool it slightly and change the colour.
Ketil_b@reddit
a little bit more than you think is healthy.
alfasenpai@reddit
a moderate to reasonable splash.
-You_Cant_Stop_Me-@reddit
I like a splash of milk in my tea, but a gulug in my coffee. No sugar in either.
Equivalent_Try8470@reddit
Should be the colour of tan leather.
BigJimNoFool@reddit
1 teaspoon literally that and not a drop more
readytocomply13@reddit
Until it’s about the colour of He-Man
angels-and-insects@reddit
It's all very much preference in strength, milkiness, and sweetness, and everyone likes to decry each other's taste.
I like very strong, very milky (about 1/6th milk), no sugar. My partner likes medium strength, just a splash of milk (like 1 teaspoon in a mug), and v half a teaspoon of sugar. Some like tea so strong it'll melt a teaspoon and enough sugar that there melting teaspoon stands upright. Some like tea so weak that it looks like it met a teabag on its gap year ten years ago. Some think milk is an abomination and it needs a slice of lemon. Everyone disagrees with everyone, which everyone feels is Very British, so you do you, and expect to be Disagreed With.
imaner76@reddit
The way you like and enjoy it. Is the right way. The end.
Altruistic-Sun-1452@reddit
I do a third cup of milk, with coffee I do a tablespoon of milk
Pristine-Bet-5764@reddit
Strong tea for me, dash of milk
Imtryingforheckssake@reddit
Nothing wrong no matter your preference. I like just a splash of milk. If it ever ends up tasting milky I dislike it. And while I can enjoy good coffee without any sweetener I have to have sweetener in my tea.
Spilled-My-Coffee@reddit
If I'm ever drinking it without milk and sugar it's because I've added lemon and honey instead, it's a brilliant remedy for a sore throat
Keepingongoing@reddit
Tea tastes best for me piping hot, as soon as it gets tepid I regret it. A splash of milk, too much and it dominates the taste. My parents used to put the milk in first and pout tea on it from a teapot. Many cups of weak tea later I discovered there was a way to be more in control of the final result!
Elvin_Atombender@reddit
Ok so when I make tea I would say I use about a tablespoon amount of milk, maybe a tad more. I like mine to look like a light brown rather than a dark brown (builders tea).
phil8715@reddit
I just use everyday Tesco teabags a drop of milk no sugar or sweetener.
WaferGlobal1376@reddit
A milky tea with 2 sugars is reserved for hangovers only lol.
Most of the time it's black, no sugar for me also.
Inevitable-Debt4312@reddit
About one sixth milk, I suppose. With a sweetener; but if sugar, that goes in last.
TheatrePlode@reddit
It’s all down to preference, but I think most Brits at least will put milk in.
Personally I like strong tea, with a big glob of milk and two sugars, but I mostly drink coffee.
Only_Amphibian3107@reddit
I've started adding two teabags so I can get away with adding more milk and still having a good tasting tea. I like it to be drinking temperature ASAP
Billargh@reddit
As little as possible so that it's not a black tea.
Britkraut@reddit
Fill the mug up until there's about a finger nail worth of space left to the rim
Let the teabag steep for about 3 to 5 mins(leaning 5)
Squirt honey in until you can physically see that it's displacing the tea
Pour milk in as you stir and keep going until you think you're at the point that you couldn't handle carrying the tea without it spilling
Grab the teabag with your spoon, drag it out and squeeze it against the inside of the mug whilst you do it
The lack of teabag should now allow the tea level to settle at a transportable amount
amBrollachan@reddit
I go by colour. It needs to be rich and opaque terracotta.
Mezcalico@reddit
Tea here is usually with some milk, and sugar to taste. Personally I like a splash of milk and two sugars. But sometimes I have no milk. Sometimes I have no milk and no sugar. But I’ll never have milk and no sugar. And I always leave the teabag in. Come at me.
Far-Analyst-6911@reddit
Absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying it as is, but most people have a dash of milk (until it's a warm, mid-brown colour) and it's a coin-toss over whether they'll take a sugar or not.
Anecdotally, it feels like kids / teens / scum take more sugar and gradually wean off it as they mature.
prustage@reddit
Milk-less tea is a perfectly acceptable drink. I drink it and can enjoy it. But, I am guessing that the tea you drink is typical of most of the tea that is drunk outside of the UK i.e pretty weak - tea-flavoured hot water.
If you make the tea much stronger - so strong that it really isnt drinkable without modification, then adding milk creates a totally different drink that cannot be compared with the usual non-UK version.
Puzzleheaded-Lynx204@reddit
Everyone's different. There are even memes about the various shades of brown people like their tea. Personally I like mine roughly the colour of a Werther's Original, with no sugar. A "builder's brew" is traditionally very strong and very sugary. Drink it how you like it 👍
mamoncloud@reddit
English breakfast tea is meant to be with milk so that's why it's weird. How much milk gets a bit controversial 👀 i think the common choice is whatever gets you to the colour of a biscoff biscuit....
Most people wouldn't add milk to other tea available here, like chamomile or green tea
EnormousD@reddit
Thats very wrong. End product should be about 15-20% milk for me (I like it strong but milky)
Far-Analyst-6911@reddit
I guess the beauty of tea is how slightly different we all like it...
..but my god, this sounds awful to me!
CommercialAd2154@reddit
I don’t really bother measuring tbf lol, just whack it in and see how it ends up, I have a tea with sugar at the end of a hectic day at work, or to dunk my biscuits in, I wouldn’t say I am a tea connoisseur by any stretch!
dospc@reddit
No, many English people drink it without sugar or milk.
Y2Reigns@reddit
Not odd. Everyone has different milk and sugar preferences.
I'm a two sweetener, tiny splash of milk kind of person.
SlightProgrammer@reddit
It's hard to quantify cause I can just tell by the colour, I'd recommend experimenting with it. Although inwoildnprbbaly say less than you think.
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