Afternoon Tea Week 2023: Care home residents reveal the recipe for the perfect brew
Ahead of Afternoon Tea Week (7th – 13th August), care home residents at Bupa care homes have revealed the ideal way to make the perfect cup of tea.
The humble brew is a British institution, and everyone has an opinion on how to make one. So Bupa turned to those with a lifetime of experience and surveyed eighty one care home residents to find the perfect formula.
An overwhelming majority of residents (84%) said tea should be of the English breakfast variety and over half believe it should be served in a cup and saucer rather than a mug.
96 per cent of residents take milk in their tea, with the majority advising to use enough to make a caramel colour:
Only one in three residents think tea should include sugar, but for those who do add sugar, one is enough for over half (57%).
Residents also shared other tips including using hot milk, warming the pot and leaving the teabag to stew for a few minutes before drinking. They also advised on the ideal number of cuppas throughout the day – four or more.
The recipe for the perfect cup of tea (according to residents of Bupa care homes):
• Use English breakfast tea
• Make the tea in a teapot, and warm the pot first (if not using a pot, warm the cup)
• Let the tea brew for four minutes
• Use a cup and saucer rather than a mug
• Add enough milk to make the tea caramel coloured
• And one sugar is optional
• Make sure it’s hot on arrival
• Top tip: get someone else to make it for you!
Residents at Norewood Lodge Bupa Care Home think warming before brewing creates the best taste, including 90-year-old Don Davis who believes you should always “warm the pot first”, and Mary Redford, 84, who recommends to “warm up the mug”.
However, even the nation’s most esteemed cuppa drinkers didn’t agree on everything, including on a common point of contention: when the right time is to add milk. Chris Halliley, 84, of Mount Hall Bupa Care Home, shared that he always puts the milk in first. However, Peter Osbourne, 87, of Norewood Lodge Bupa Care Home, believes you should always pour your “tea first, milk after”.
Anne Mercer, 62, of Premier Court Bupa Care Home, has a simple secret for the perfect cuppa: “find someone else to make it for you” – something we’d imagine many more people will agree with!
A cuppa to combat loneliness
The research comes at a fitting time, with online searches showing more older people are actively seeking opportunities to connect with others. As we age, many may find that the risk of social isolation increases. Loneliness can have a huge detriment on our health and wellbeing but chances to make new friends can be difficult to come by.
Naomi Humber, Head of Mental Wellbeing, Bupa UK, comments that being proactive is key to avoid the health consequences of loneliness, and that a cup of tea with someone else can be a simple way to introduce more interactions into your life. “Our survey shows that how we like a cuppa is just as individual as we are… Connections with others can start with something simple. For example, sharing a moment together over a humble cup of tea” Naomi explains.
“Research shows that feeling involved in a community can improve your mental health. Often, local community projects or care home open days host tea and coffee mornings. These can be useful if you’re looking to make new friends.”
Our research shows that a cuppa can open up a whole host of conversation starters, and maybe even friendships – so why not strike up a chat about how you prefer yours, this Afternoon Tea Week?
ENDS
Bupa surveyed 81 residents across 9 care homes in May 2023.
About Bupa
Bupa’s purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
We are an international healthcare company serving over 31 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.
In the UK Bupa has over 120 care homes as well as 10 Richmond retirement villages. Health insurance accounts for the majority of our business. In some markets we also operate clinics, dental centres, hospitals, and care homes and villages.
For more information, visit www.bupa.co.uk/care-services
