Why do the English drink tea with milk?

Question

When and how did this custom develop?

Answer 1

Hey!

I'm English, and i'll tell you why.

Because it cools it down faster, and its less strong..

Answer 2

wot no dundee cake pfft  

Answer 3

There was a great deal of concern when tea was very expensive about adulteration - some unscrupulous individuals added poisonous chemicals to make green 'tea' the right colour - and these concerns led to an increase in popularity in black tea, and a parallel increase in the addition of milk to tea presumably to show any adulteration.

Answer 4

i'm an american, but my mom used to make tea with milk for me when i was a kid and i still love it.  

Answer 5

I love indian tea its so sweet and we use milk in it and some tea bags that have some weird ingredients in it

ICE TEA TASTE LIKE c**p.........................

Answer 6

Because tea is really bitter without milk ... mmm ... drinking tea right now =]

Although I don't think people drink herbal teas with milk.

Answer 7

i have no idea 2 be honest never really thought about it i think it tastes better this way but some people drink it black  or with sugar in it which i can't stand  

Answer 8

Simply because that's the way the English LIKE IT ! ! !

Answer 9

I've heard a number of reasons: that hot tea would break delicate porcelain cups without milk to cool it; that it prevents the tea from getting 'scalded'; that it "watered down" expensive tea for lower classes.  Personally, I like milk in my black tea because it cuts the bitterness & acidity, and holds up well in the robust brew.

In Britain today, the real debate is about which goes into the cup first--the milk or the tea.  It used to be that tea was very expensive, so the lower classes would add milk to the cup first, then top it off with the precious tea.  The upper class could afford tea, and would add the milk to taste.

Answer 10

i hate milk in tea!

Answer 11

how can you drink tea any other way? and it's not just the english, it's the irish too. i don't think i know anyone who just takes tea black...

...well maybe one person, but she's diet obsessed...

Answer 12

I don't know but it is gross!

Answer 13

because it tastes good :)

i wonder how the queen likes her tea...

Answer 14

I'm english and i love milk in my tea without it it will be to strong

Answer 15

i dont and im english! tea and milk is horrible.

i guess we do because it makes it more creamy,

but in my opinion, its gross. Not all people do.