As Brits, we’re famous the world over for enjoying a good cup of tea — and proud of it.
However, it appears that some of us have begun taking a rather, erm, creative approach to preparing our morning cuppa.
While getting the kettle on might be one of the first things most of us do on any given morning, it appears that isn’t the case for every age group.
New statistics, which almost made us spit out our tea, reveal over half of Gen Z (those aged 18 to 27) makes their brew (brace yourself) in the microwave.
The research, carried out by comparison experts USwitch, found that three-fifths of Gen Z (58%) admitted to the practice, with a shocking one in six (17%) doing so every day.
In news that probably has Earl Grey himself spinning in his grave, they aren’t even the only ones at it.
Millennials (aged 28-43) were the next most likely age bracket to prefer a nuked brew, with 32% of them admitting to the practice, and Gen X (aged 44-59) took third place, with 15% of them choosing to prepare tea radiation-style.
Rounding out the list are the Baby Boomers (those aged 60 to 78) and the Silent Generation (aged 79 and above), with just 10% of the former and only 6% of the latter using a microwave to make tea.
What proportion of each generation makes tea in a microwave
- Gen Z (18-27) – 58%
- Millennials (28-43) – 32%
- Gen X (44-59) – 15%
- Boomers (60-78) – 10%
- Silent Generation (79+) – 6%
‘I think I just witnessed a crime’
Unsuprisingly, the practice of microwaving tea has disturbed many.
The practice is actually surprisingly common in America, and when stateside content creators have filmed themselves making tea in this way, it’s caused quite the backlash from Brits.
‘I think I just witnessed a crime,’ and KerryManyLetters commented on one such video, ‘How? How can people not know how to make tea?’.
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While another called it an ‘absolute violation’ and a third said that microwaving tea fell under the category of ‘things that should be illegal but aren’t!’
Others had a more emotional reaction. User @sillybillylilly wrote: ‘This physically hurts its not even funny there are tears in my eyes.’
Meanwhile those who have attempted to make tea ‘American-style’ in the microwave were less than impressed, with Irish creator Garron Noone (garron_music), describing it as tasting like ‘sterilised baby bottles’.
Why would anyone ever make their tea in the microwave?
As someone who considers themselves a self-styled brew connoisseur, it’s a question that I personally never thought I’d have to ask.
However, it appears that there is, at least, some reasoning behind why the younger demographic might be turning to the microwave to make a brew.
Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, remarks: ‘It’s possible that many younger people use a microwave because kettles are often banned in student accommodation, but this is a trend that’s growing with each passing generation.
‘While it seems like an affront to basic tea-making traditions, if it works for people, who are we to argue?
‘However you’re boiling your water, make sure you only put in the amount of water you need, as heating excess water can waste a lot of electricity’
How much does it cost to make a cup of tea?
Whatever option you prefer – kettle, hob, microwave – the cost of boiling your tea water is still only about 1p per cuppa.
If you are really counting the pennies, then technically, a covered pan on a gas hob is the cheapest way to make tea, at just 0.74p. However, you’re gonna be waiting a while for that brew.
The cheapest way to make a cup of tea
- Gas hob (covered pan) – 0.74p (in 217 seconds)
- Gas hob (uncovered pan) – 0.84p (in 245 seconds)
- Microwave – 1.03p (in 180 seconds)
- Electric kettle – 1.11p (in 52 seconds)
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