Consumer champions Which? have revealed that supermarket own-label teabags outperform some of Britain's most popular brands in a blind taste test, with the winning brews costing just 2p per bag.
The test pitted household names such as PG Tips, Tetley and Yorkshire Tea against supermarket offerings from Asda, Lidl, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Tesco, among others. A tasting panel of 67 tea enthusiasts took part.
Jessica Carson, Which? taste test expert, said: "Given how much many of us drink tea, costs can quickly rack up. Our blind taste test pitted household names against supermarket teabags, with the winning brew coming in at 2p per cup versus 5p for the leading name brand."
Top three supermarket teas
Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Co-op secured the top three positions, with all three costing approximately 2p per bag. They were also rated as Great Value and amongst the most economical teas tested.
Sainsbury's Red Label scored 75%. Nearly two-thirds of taste testers said they would gladly make it their go-to tea. Its appearance and fragrance scored particularly well, with over two-thirds approving of how it looked. More than half deemed its strength of flavour spot-on, while its characteristic tea bitterness proved popular with most participants. It costs less than half the price of Tetley and Yorkshire.
Waitrose Essential Original Blend also scored 75%. Comparable in price to the Sainsbury's offering, two-thirds of tasters would be content to drink it daily, and its appearance was deemed "just right". The mouthfeel scored highly, and the bitterness level and overall taste proved satisfactory for the majority.
Co-op Fairtrade 99 Tea Blend scored 74%. Appealing looks and an inviting aroma helped secure numerous admirers. Three-quarters stated they would happily consume it each day, with over half declaring the flavour perfectly balanced. An impressive two-thirds found the bitterness level ideal.
How the other teas scored
Morrisons Everyday Tea scored 73%. More than half of tasters would choose it for everyday drinking, though approximately half felt it was slightly lacking in strength. The other half considered the flavour perfectly adequate, making it a possible choice for those who favour a gentler brew.
Yorkshire Tea (Taylors of Harrogate) scored 72%. At 5p per bag, it was the priciest tea on the list, yet it achieved the highest scores amongst the named brands. Half of the tasters appreciated the flavour and bitterness, though nearly a third considered it too bitter. Well over half would happily drink it every day, and it boasted a pleasingly rich colour and an inviting aroma.
Lidl Knightsbridge Red Label scored 71%, with six out of 10 tasters happy for it to become their daily brew. Asda Everyday Tea Bags scored 70%, with nearly half finding its flavour somewhat underwhelming. PG Tips Original and Tetley Original both scored 70%, with the majority of tasters appreciating their bitterness and appearance. M&S Everyday Tea scored 68%, with well under half enjoying the flavour. Tesco Original Tea scored 67%, with half enjoying its bitterness but fewer appreciating the overall flavour.
