A tea expert has revealed the best way to make the perfect British cuppa - and if you put the milk in first, you're doing it WRONG.
Jane Malyon, 66, runs a company selling afternoon tea hampers and has tried hundreds of different teas as well as scones, jams and triangle sandwiches.
She even gives talks on how to enjoy the perfect British tea - and shared a few of her top tips to enjoy a spot on cuppa to celebrate National Tea Day today.
Jane revealed the milk should NEVER go in first, you should never reboil your kettle water, only dunk a biscuit in private - and tea tastes best when made in a teapot.
Jane, from Uttlesford, Essex, said: "Tea is in our British blood.
"If something has gone wrong, you just out the kettle on, it's just our reaction to everything."
Jane confirmed that a good cup of tea will never require the use of a microwave.
But in her expert opinion, to truly make the perfect cup, you should use a teapot and loose leaf tea.
Jane said it's not just about the end result, but the "ritual" of making the tea - and doing it that way makes it taste better too.
"If you can, warm the pot first before you put the tealeaves in," she said.
"Swirl some hot water in then back out again so it's hot and steamy for the best taste."
Jane suggested you shouldn't actually wait for the kettle to fully boil before pouring the water in your cup.
Instead, you should catch it just before the water boils - or wait and use it just after - to prevent scalding the leaves.
Another common error she said Brits make is re-boiling water from the kettle which has already been boiled.
She said: "Once boiled, the oxygen is gone. It won't have the same taste as fresh water."
A controversial subject amongst Brits is whether the milk goes in first or last - and Jane says it should always go LAST.
Jane explained: "Lots of people like to put the milk in first and swear it tastes different.
"But until you add the milk you wont know how strong the tea is."
Another hotly debated topic is dunking a biscuit in tea and whether it is acceptable.
Jane claims it is - but only in private.
She said: "You should never do it in a posh place."
Controversially Jane feels the best choice of biscuit depends whether you plan to dunk it or not.
She said: "For me, a plain rich tea for dunking. If not for dunking, a milk chocolate digestive is perfect. Chocolate Hobnobs are also very popular."
DO:
- Use tea leaves
- Use a teapot
- Warm the teapot with hot water first
DON'T:
- Use boiling water - catch it pre-boil or wait a bit after boiling
- Put the milk in first
- Re-boil water - empty and refill the kettle with fresh water
- Dunk your biscuits in a formal setting
