Tea is the winner for winter

The Cup Britain Turns To For Winter Warmth

When winter mornings are dark and cold, putting the kettle on has a clear appeal. A third of adults (34%) say they make tea when they want warmth, while 50% say they usually feel comforted when drinking it. Tea offers something warm to hold, a familiar taste and an easy reason to pause or spend time with someone else. That’s according to the latest consumer research survey carried out on behalf of the UK Tea & Infusions Association - UKTIA  (tea.co.uk).

Tea’s place among winter drinks is equally clear. Asked to give up every hot drink except one, 35% would keep regular black tea. It finishes ahead of all hot drinks including hot chocolate at 24% and is chosen by more than twice as many people as coffee at 16%. Tea also works at breakfast, at home, on the move and alongside something from the biscuit tin.

“Tea’s winter role starts with something very simple: people actively make it when they want warmth. Its familiarity and flexibility allow that warm cup to fit into many different moments throughout the day,” says UK Tea & Infusions Association’s Chief Executive, Dr Sharon Hall.

The day starts with tea

Morning is the main tea-drinking time for 59% of Brits. That makes the first brew of the day much more than a seasonal feature. It’s a well-established ritual that feels almost essential on dark mornings, when switching on the kettle is often one of the first household tasks.

Breakfast is an equally strong part of the picture. Nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) said they have tea with breakfast. Lunch follows at 42%. These figures show that tea is not limited to a mid-afternoon break. Tea sits beside everyday food from the start of the day.

“Tea’s strongest food occasion is breakfast, with 72% saying a cuppa is part of their breakfast routine. That gives the morning brew a clear role both at home and when eating out,” says Dr Sharon Hall.

At home and ready to travel

Home is still tea’s main setting. Almost two thirds of adults (65%) said this is where they most often drink a cup of tea. The finding makes sense for winter, but it doesn’t mean tea stays strictly indoors. More than half (53%) said they sometimes make tea at home to take out with them.

A travel mug extends a familiar home-based routine to the commute, school run, weekend walk or journey to work. It also shows that convenience isn’t only about buying a drink while out. Many people want to prepare their preferred tea their own way, then carry its warmth with them.

Warmth to share

Tea’s warmth can also be social. Almost half of adults (49%) associate offering someone a cup of tea with welcoming them into their home or workplace. Just over half (51%) say tea is part of regular catch-ups with friends or family.

That shared element doesn’t require a formal invitation. It might be two mugs at the kitchen counter, a tea-round made at work, or a pot brought out when a friend pops in. The drink provides something warm to hold and an easy reason to sit down together.

“Offering a cup of tea  is widely linked with welcome, while regular catch-ups show how naturally tea fits into time spent together,” says - Dr Sharon Hall.

Tea and something

Of course, a winter cup often comes with food. Beyond breakfast and lunch, 26% said they would have tea with a snack. Asked to choose just one snack to accompany their tea, 41% picked one or more biscuits. Cake was the next choice at 22%, followed by chocolate at 11%.

The preference for biscuits is significant enough to deserve attention. Biscuits are easy to keep, easy to share, and simple to offer at home or at work. Yet cake can make the occasion feel more planned, while chocolate might feel like more of an indulgent treat. Together, the choices show that tea plays a role across a wide range of eating occasions from a quick break to a proper sit-down.

“The biscuit is still tea’s clear favourite partner, chosen by 41%. Cake and chocolate also have their place, showing how easily a simple cup can become a proper tea break. But tea is just as at home alongside healthier options, from fruit and yoghurt to toast and porridge. With different teas complementing different foods and contributing to daily fluid intake, tea remains a versatile part of everyday eating and drinking habits” says Dr Sharon Hall.