THE PERFECT CUPPA?

The internet is often host to fierce debates between polarised communities, which can turn ugly. A recent debate which set the internet alight was spurred on by a comment made by a US chemist, in which she stated that the secret ingredient to the “perfect cup of tea” is a pinch of salt. Having analysed research papers and ancient texts dating back more than 1,000 years on the chemistry of tea, this was her controversial conclusion. This, of course, caused much shock, with many quick to criticise her. So much so, that the US embassy came forward with an official statement: “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. 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. Therefore we want to assure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be.”

And then, presumably in a nod to our sense of humour, at the end, it added, “The US Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way – by microwaving it.”