Nationwide reveals Britain's love affair with tea is stronger than ever, as research shows more than one in five Brits drink five or more cups a day - equivalent to over 147,000 in a lifetime1.
In fact, three quarters of tea drinkers say it is essential to daily life and over a third admit they couldn’t live without it! It is perhaps why 31 per cent of people choose to drink tea as their first drink of the day - ahead of coffee (26%), water (22%) and juice (5%). According to the latest ONS figures, Britain spends a staggering £14 million a week on tea2.
The research was commissioned by Nationwide to mark Dementia UK’s3 annual fundraiser, ‘Time for a Cuppa’. Dementia is a huge and growing health crisis – one in two people will be affected by the condition during their lifetime.
The specialist dementia nursing charity, which is one of the partners for Nationwide's Fairer Futures, is encouraging people across the country to make 'Time for a Cuppa' so it can reach more families than ever through their Admiral Nurses, who provide life-changing advice and support. The fundraiser encourages people to sit down, talk, and connect over a cup of tea between 1-8 May, and comes hot on the heels of National Tea Day today (a case study of someone who has too part in Time for a Cuppa can be found in Notes to Editor4).
The survey of 2,000 people highlights that just over seven in ten (71%) say a cup of tea provides comfort and routine, while almost half (49%) say it makes them feel relaxed. Nearly two thirds (65%) say tea is the go-to drink for someone upset or in need of support, with 56 per cent of Brits using it to check in on an older relative. Eight in ten (80%) people believe meeting up for a simple cup of tea could help tackle social isolation, particularly those with conditions such as dementia.
Paul Edwards, Chief Nursing Officer at Dementia UK, said: “We’re proud to be supported by Nationwide Fairer Futures, helping us reach more families than ever with our specialist Admiral Nurses. Nearly one million people are living with dementia in the UK today, yet thousands of people aren’t getting the support they deserve. Whether you put on an event at work or invite your friends for a tea and piece of cake at home, making time for a cuppa provides a brilliant opportunity to make memories together while raising vital funds to help ensure no family faces dementia alone.”
One lump or two? Milk first or last? Builder’s tea or ghostly pale? Brits give their verdict on the perfect cuppa:
The research probed into how the nation takes its tea – from brand and colour to how it is made.
- Blend and brand; more than half of people who drink tea (53%) named breakfast tea as their favourite blend, while Yorkshire Tea emerged as the nation's number one brand across all age groups.
- Milk first or last: when it comes to how Brits make their tea, the great debate continues – 55 per cent add milk last while 17 per cent add milk first. And in a surprising twist, the humble teapot is making a comeback! 43 per cent of people who drink tea used a teapot to make a cuppa in the last week, rising to a remarkable 56 per cent among 16 to 24-year-olds, showing how Gen Z are creating a comeback for the quintessential British experience.
- Builder’s or ghostly pale: golden brown is the most popular shade of tea (53%), but close to a fifth (18%) prefer a stronger, darker ‘builder’s tea’, with women more likely than men to choose it (19% vs 17%), while 16 per cent opt for a milky brew.
- One lump or two: slightly more people prefer having sugar in their tea than not, at 53 per cent versus 47 per cent. While one sugar is the average amount taken, more than one in ten (11%) have three or more.
- Top tea dates: And when it comes to who we would most like to share a cuppa with, David Attenborough tops the list, followed by the Prince & Princess of Wales, Judi Dench and Adele, with Tom Holland proving most popular with Gen Z, followed by Adele, Harry Styles and David Attenborough (see Notes to Editors for full list4).
By making Time for a Cuppa, you can ensure no family faces dementia alone. Sign up for your free Time for a Cuppa fundraising pack at dementiauk.org/timeforacuppa or find out more by visiting a Nationwide branch.
If you need advice or support on living with dementia, contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on: 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. You can also book a free video or phone appointment to get expert dementia support from an Admiral Nurse. Find out more at: dementiauk.org/appointment.
