Nearly two-thirds of Britons under 30 are ditching the traditional kettle in favour of microwaving their tea, according to a new poll. The survey of 2,000 people found that 60 per cent of Gen-Z respondents admitted to heating cold water and teabags in the microwave, a method that experts say compromises the drink's quality.
Dr Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel noted that microwaving takes about two minutes and 40 seconds to heat a mug of water, compared to just 48 seconds for a kettle. He warned that the technique can lead to uneven temperature and inconsistent extraction of beneficial compounds from the tea. The recommended method, according to experts, is to pour boiling water over a teabag and steep for three to five minutes without stirring before adding milk.
The poll, conducted by price comparison service Uswitch, also highlighted regional differences. Southerners were the worst offenders, with 28 per cent of those in London and the South East using the microwave. In contrast, only 12 per cent of East Midlands residents admitted to the practice. Natalie Mathie of Uswitch suggested that bans on kettles in student accommodation may partly explain the trend among younger people, calling it 'an affront to basic tea-making traditions'.
Separate research earlier this month indicated that 22 per cent of Britons add cold milk to their cup before the boiling water when making tea, further deviating from traditional methods.
