Britons can secure a free bar of chocolate this week simply by saying three words at a well-known cafe. Tony's Chocolonely and Yorkshire Tea have teamed up following a survey which found that a substantial 80% of 18-24-year-olds identify chocolate as their favourite tea-dunking treat.
Where to Claim Your Free Tea and Chocolate
To mark National Chocolate Week this week, visitors to three designated cafes nationwide can claim both Yorkshire Tea and a Tony's Chocolonely bar without charge. Throughout National Chocolate Week, running from Monday 19th October to Friday 23rd October, anyone who announces 'I'm a melt' at Terry's Cafe in London, Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, or Gran T's in Greater Manchester will receive a complimentary mug of Yorkshire Tea alongside a Tony's Chocolonely bar while supplies last. The first 100 visitors will also be given a limited-edition 'melt' cap.
The Science Behind Tea and Chocolate
This follows research suggesting that structure is equally important, with 81% agreeing it's crucial that a dunking snack remains intact. A staggering 87% of British tea drinkers have watched their cherished dunk sink to the bottom of their cup, which is where chocolate reportedly excels as it softens while retaining its form.
Two-thirds (66%) of this age bracket are already dipping their chocolate bars into their tea, and a leading psychobiologist has explained why this combination proves so appealing. Associate Professor of Psychobiology, Dr Lorenzo Stafford revealed that tea and chocolate complement one another on multiple levels.
Chocolate contains naturally occurring compounds, including phenylethylamine (PEA) and theobromine, which are associated with elevated mood and alertness. Tea contains flavonoids that have been linked to relaxation and stress reduction, so together, they create a unique balance of gentle uplift and calm. The sweetness of chocolate is also thought to balance tea's subtle bitterness, while the heat from a freshly made cuppa enhances chocolate's silky melting quality.
Chef Endorses the 'Melt' Trend
Dr Stafford said: "It is fascinating to see how much thought Brits put into what makes a great dunk. Flavour, texture and temperature all shape how we experience food and the combination of hot tea with melting chocolate creates a particularly enjoyable sensory experience. When it comes to dunking, tea and chocolate have great chemistry so it's no surprise young people have embraced it."
Yorkshire Tea enthusiast and TV chef Sam Holland has officially branded himself a 'melt' and is urging others to try the combination. Sam said: "As a chef, I'm always looking for food combinations that just work and chocolate in a proper cup of tea is one of the simplest. I've always been a Yorkshire Tea drinker and if dunking my chocolate in there makes me a melt, I'm happy with that."
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Tea and Tony's Chocolonely said: "Brits love their tea and their chocolate and now the science shows why. This National Chocolate Week, we're inviting everyone to give it a go to embrace their inner 'melt' and discover just how well chunky chocolate and a proper brew can work together."
