Care residents draw on over 700 years of tea-drinking wisdom to crown their perfect cuppa

A Midlands care home has drawn on more than seven centuries of tea-drinking experience to answer two of Britain’s most hotly debated questions ahead of National Tea Day (21st April): what makes the perfect cup of tea, and when is the best time to drink it?

According to residents at Wyrley Rose, part of the Macc Care Group, the ideal cuppa is a properly brewed, strong black tea, with Earl Grey emerging as the standout favourite. In terms of the best time to enjoy a brew, the overwhelming consensus was the early morning, when a comforting cup can set the tone for the day.

Tea remains one of Britain’s best-loved daily rituals, with the UK Tea & Infusions Association reporting that more than 100 million cups are consumed across the UK every day. Research cited from YouGov also suggests that 41% of British adults drink tea at home or at work at least twice a day, underlining just how central a good cuppa remains to everyday life.

The verdict was reached during a special tasting session led by tea specialist James Green, founder of Tea From The Manor, which supplies high-quality, ethically sourced loose leaf and tea bags to hospitality venues and care homes. James joined the residents of Wyrley Rose to explore a variety of blends and gather their own tried-and-tested views on Britain’s best-loved beverage.

The event saw 15 residents take part, with a combined age of 723. Together, they sampled a range of teas, shared personal rituals and reflected on the small details they believe make all the difference – from flavour and brewing strength, to timing and personal taste.

While opinions varied on flavour, a clear theme emerged: a good cup of tea should be properly brewed, full of character and made with care. Earl Grey proved especially popular among residents, while traditional black teas and builders’ tea also received strong backing.

James Green’s journey into tea began during his military career, where he learned from Gurkhas serving in the British Army, an experience that later inspired him to launch Tea From The Manor. 

During the tasting at Walsall-based Wyrley Rose, he introduced residents to a range of blends, from classic black teas to more unexpected flavours including red berries, vanilla, chocolate and lapsang souchong. For the occasion, he created a bespoke blend inspired by Macc Care’s “rose” homes: a Lotus Rose tea, featuring rose buds and jasmine petals. 

Residents also shared their own tea wisdom, shaped by decades of daily routines and personal preference. Kay, 81, whose lifetime tea tally could be around 43,133 cups, stayed true to tradition and championed builders’ tea at breakfast. Ethel, 92, with an estimated 48,990 cups behind her, backed a strong black tea first thing in the morning and named Earl Grey as her personal favourite.

Sheila, 85, who may have enjoyed some 45,263 cups of tea over the years, declared midday the best time for a cuppa and named red berries as her favourite tea of the day. Muriel, 90, with an estimated 47,925 cups to her name, said any time of day was right for tea, choosing chocolate as her standout flavour and insisting that the secret to a good brew is making sure it is “properly brewed”.

Jane, 84, whose lifetime tea count could be around 44,730 cups, said the perfect cup should always be made strong, while Carol, 85, with an estimated 45,263 cups behind her, tried lapsang souchong for the first time on the day, and advised against making tea too strong – while acknowledging that tastes will always vary.

Bhav Amlani, Director at Macc Care, said: “Tea has a unique way of bringing people together. It sparks conversation and stirs memories, while creating a sense of comfort and familiarity that’s deeply meaningful for many Britons.”

“That’s what made the occasion so special. It was a chance for residents to share their personal tastes and life experience, while enjoying something that has been part of British daily life for generations.”

Commenting on the tea tasting, James Green said: “What I especially love about tea is that there’s theatre involved. There are ceremonies and presentations tied into specific cultures, and they’re all different in little ways. So whenever I’m presenting these different tea blends to an audience, I feel like I’m on a stage.”

“It means a lot to be welcomed into a home like Wyrley Rose and give residents an experience they might not otherwise have. What stood out straight away was just how engaged everyone was. Every resident had their own story and their own view of what makes a good cup of tea. That’s exactly what made it such a joy.”

To learn more about Macc Care Group, visit: https://macccare.com/

And for Tea from the Manor, please visit:  https://teafromthemanor.co.uk/