A poll of tradespeople revealed the recipe for the perfect builder’s brew, including how long the tea bag should be left in and how hot the water should be
Britain’s tradespeople have revealed the recipe for the perfect builder’s brew – and tea traditionalists will be horrified.
A poll of 1,000 tradies who drive a van for work found the water should not be boiling but ‘warm’ and ‘just cool enough to sip comfortably’.
The tea bag should be brewed for just one minute and 53 seconds – not the three to five minutes suggested by connoisseurs. And contrary to the origins of traditional English tea drinking, 72% add sugar.
However, milk habits are less controversial with semi-skimmed being the most common choice, and just enough to give a balanced medium shade.
The research was commissioned by Vauxhall, which has unveiled the Vivaro Electrici-TEA, a van featuring state of the art tea-making facilities – so tradespeople can enjoy the perfect builder’s brew. The one-of-a-kind van, based on the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, includes an electric kettle, teabag dispenser, a perfect brew tea timer, thermal mugs, a fridge with space for milk or milk alternatives, and a sink with a 10-litre water supply – plus a tin for biscuit storage.
Steve Catlin, managing director for the car manufacturer, said: “With 90% of tradespeople saying that a good hot drink has a positive impact on their day, we wanted to create the ultimate tea-making solution for the thirsty tradespeople of Britain. The builder’s brew can mean a wide variety of things, but our research puts the uncertainty to bed to ensure those working on site get what they are looking for.
“It’s time we put an end to poorly made cuppas and give tradespeople the right tool for the job.”
The study also found tradespeople will drink three to four cups of tea per working day – but just 10% will always have the homeowner make one for them. Almost all believed a good cup of tea has a positive impact on their day (90%) – and 49% said getting a hot drink can even make their day.
Despite longing for a hot drink from their customers, 49% said they prefer a tea made by themselves, rather than someone else. The main reason for this was because 60% know how they like it, and 48% said it tastes better when they make it.
More than one in 10 (11%) even said it is part of the job to get the round in.
The study conducted via OnePoll.com found 37% prefer drinking Yorkshire Tea – and a chocolate digestive is the perfect supplement for 34%. “A cup of tea” (49%), “cuppa” (45%), and “brew” (34%) are the most common phrases used by tradespeople when getting a tea – and 13% of those aged 18 to 24 even use the term “a Rosie Lee.”
The study found 93% would make their own tea on the go, if they had the facilities to do so.
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