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Tuesday May 21, 2024

US vs UK: Which has best tea? Here's American embassy's funny response

US, UK has disagreements on tea since very long time

By Web Desk
January 24, 2024
A couple share a cup of tea in London. — AzmanJaka
A couple share a cup of tea in London. — AzmanJaka 

A US professor and chemist proposed that "a pinch of salt" and "a small squeeze of lemon juice" are necessary for the ideal cup of tea sparking a debate between the US and the UK. 

The two countries have already had disagreements on tea, or more specifically, how to make it: the UK uses a kettle to brew tea, while the US prefers to "microwave" it.

Because of this, the US embassy in London released a fictitious clarification that had people on X and citizens of both countries split, out of concern that Michelle Francl's suggestion may exacerbate the situation (or tease?).

"Today's media reports of an American professor's recipe for the "perfect" cup of tea has landed our special bond with the United Kingdom in hot water," the US embassy in London stated. "Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our special relationship."

The embassy cited a piece that appeared in the Guardian about Michelle Francl's tea trials.

"Therefore we want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not the official United States policy. And never will be... The US embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way -- by microwaving it," the clarification read.