Experts from consumer website Which? asked 79 tea drinkers to blind-taste and rate 12 everyday teas from supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and compare them to big brands PG Tips, Tetley, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea.
The research revealed that Asda beat major brands in the taste test to find Britain’s best cup of tea. Asda’s Everyday Tea Bags took the top spot achieving a score of 72 percent by 79 “experienced and committed” tea drinkers – and it’s half the price per cup of big-brand options.
Asda Everyday Tea Bags cost £1.20 for 80 bags. As part of the study, 68 percent of tea drinkers said the colour was perfect and 49 percent found the flavour to be “just right”.
Which? explained: “Asda is our top pick if you’re looking for a satisfying brew and to keep costs down. Our tasters gave it high marks for aroma and appearance, and more than two-thirds thought the colour was just right.
“They also liked the ‘mouthfeel’ of this tea and its bitter tea twang, and a majority thought the flavour was spot on.”
PG Tips Original, costing £3 for 80 bags, came second with a 71 percent score. Around 60 percent said the colour is “just how a cup of tea should look” and were satisfied with the strength of bitterness.
Tetley Original, costing £2.50 for 80 bags, also scored 71 percent, with tasters saying the tea has a “pleasant mouthfeel” and an enticing aroma, and 54 percent agreed that it had strength of flavour. However, 27 percent said it was too bitter for their taste.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, commented on the results saying: “A cup of tea is a daily essential for millions and many of us will passionately defend our favourite brand.
“Our results show that the bigger and more expensive brands aren’t necessarily the best for taste, with a supermarket own-brand costing less than 2p per cup emerging ahead of rivals costing up to four times as much.
“The scores demonstrate that brands and supermarkets know you can’t get a substandard cuppa past a nation of discerning tea drinkers, but Which? has proved that you don’t need to spend a lot for a good brew.”
