A simple tea-making hack is set to transform the taste of a cuppa for the 60 percent of Britons whose brews are blighted by hard water.
Devised by one of the nation’s foremost food scientists - alongside filtered boiling water tap manufacturer INTU Boiling Water Taps - it promises to turbo-charge the tea-drinking experience for the 16.7 million households condemned to dull, lifeless cuppas.
This is a result of the high mineral content of hard water, which prevents flavor compounds from forming properly.
So, to end this misery, while settling an age-old debate, Professor Alan Mackie, the head of Leeds University’s School Of Food Science & Nutrition, advises everyone brewing up in hard water areas to add milk BEFORE boiling water.
Doing so allows the milk proteins to lower the mineral content of the water – locking in flavor.
“Flavour by and large is produced by the different compounds in tea including tannins in particular.
"The more minerals present in the water the more difficult it is for these compounds to develop the flavour - resulting in the dull cuppas you get in hard water areas.
"Making tea the traditional way - steeping a bag in hot water before removing it and adding milk - results in the tannins turning into solids before they can develop the flavour properly.
"But, if the milk is added at the start of the steeping process then its proteins can bind to the tannins and other minerals in the water - preventing them from turning solid - which in turn gives you a far superior flavour.”
INTU's Manager, adds:
“A decent cuppa brings joy and brightens the day, but for too many it remains a distant dream, with hard water to blame.
"But by enlisting the services of the nation’s foremost food scientist, at INTU we’re delighted to be able to bring an end to the misery that blights millions of lives.
"With more than three decades at the forefront of his field, Professor Mackie has an unrivalled understanding of the complex interplay of compounds that goes into producing flavour.
"Our range of filtered hot water taps makes it a doddle to follow his advice and produce a perfectly tasty cup of tea the entire nation can be proud of.”
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