Karen Pierce asks military advisors to weigh in on tea debate

Member of Royal Navy says tea should be made in kettle, not microwave

Karen Pierce has asked military experts to weigh in on the British tea debate after an American woman’s version of the beverage sparked outrage.

In May, a woman named Michelle, who goes by the username @jchelle36 on TikTok, uploaded a clip to the site where she shared her sugar-laden recipe for “hot tea”.

The recipe, which included instant tea, Tang orange mix, powdered lemonade, sugar, cinnamon and cloves, prompted backlash on social media, where British citizens condemned the resulting drink.

On 22 June, the British ambassador to the United States responded to the “number of requests to show how to make a real cup of tea” on Twitter, where she wrote: “I see there’s huge interest in how to make a British cup of tea. So I’ve called in my military advisers to get this in the record.”

In the clip, which has been viewed more than 76,000 times, Ms Pierce explains: “The Anglo-American relationship is defined by tea” before panning to several military advisors who share their recipes.”

According to a member of the British army, who is pictured wearing fatigues, you “don’t need a microwave to make a cup of tea”.

“All you need is a naked flame, tea bag, sugar,” he continues, adding: “You can use fresh milk but this time we’re using powdered milk. Cheers!”

A member of the Royal Navy also weighed in, reiterating that you do not use a microwave, but a kettle to make hot tea.

“Leave your tea bag to brew,” he explains. “Then you just add milk and there you are. A proper British cup of tea.”

The video also features advice from a Royal Air Force member, seen flying a plane, who acknowledges that making tea “at altitude is complex because water boils at quite a different temperature”.

“However, ‘through adversity’ we produce quite a palatable product for the enjoyment and education of our delightful US hosts. Chin, chin!” he concludes.

The informative video prompted people to express their gratitude for the definitive answer to the tea-making question.

“Setting the record straight!” one person commented.

Another said: “Great to finally have the definitive take on this.”