Crunch decision
There are a few things Britons love more than biscuits. The variety available in shops indicates as much. But which biscuit is favoured with a hot drink is much to debate. Being a nation of tea lovers has prompted the UK Tea and Infusions Association to launch a new Census Study that reveals that Britons love a sweet or savoury treat with their cuppas.
As Afternoon Tea Week kicks off from 12th August – the tea census reveals that almost eight in ten people have a sweet or savoury biscuit with their tea. With sweet biscuits closely followed by chocolate biscuits our favourite nibble to go with our tea. While other popular accompaniments include cake, sandwiches, crisps and samosas, whilst new trends for 2024 include quiche, savoury mousses and sushi.
Tea expert, Dr Sharon Hall, head of the UK Tea and Infusions Association, notes how afternoon tea is all about enjoyment so it’s no surprise the UK’s favourite nibble to accompany a cup of tea is plain sweet biscuits closely followed by chocolate biscuits. Other popular choices are cake, sandwiches and even crisps – no surprise, but samosa? Each to their own. Newer trends for afternoon tea in 2024 include quiche, savoury mousses or sushi – a real departure from convention.
Hall adds: “Getting the right food pairings can really make your cup of tea special. Drinking tea may be quintessentially British but the way we enjoy it is decidedly modern. Few people nowadays warm up a tea pot for loose tea, instead more than eight in ten prefer to use tea bags. More people also take plant milks or no milk. Herbal Infusions such as peppermint and chamomile are also popular, particularly with those people under the age of 30.”
But while the tea drinking ritual has evolved over time, there is still a love for tea memorabilia. Dr Sharon Hall notes: “A surprising finding from our Tea Census Study was that the under thirties were the group most likely to use tea-related items inherited from family members, such as tea pots, teaspoons and even tea cosies!”
Clearly, the one thing we can agree on is that we all love settling down to enjoy a biscuit break – and a lovely cup of tea.
- Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
Keep in touch via email: rodney@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @foodanddrinktec or LinkedIn: Food & Drink Technology magazine.
