While Christmas is the time for office parties and nights out, new real-world research data released by the UK Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA) suggests many Brits are considering turning to a cuppa with regard to their Yuletide beverage of choice.
“When it comes to Christmas, the UKTIA real-world data suggests that many could be turning to tea instead of their regular festive tipple,” says Dr Sharon Hall, Chief Executive of the UK Tea and Infusions Association, adding, “As many as seven out of 10 (70%) Brits surveyed said they often (28%) or sometimes (42%) chose tea instead of an alcoholic drink.”
The great thing about tea is that it can be enjoyed throughout the whole day, which isn’t the case with alcoholic drinks. So, tea can help us celebrate Christmas whether we’re meeting loved ones for a festive breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And there are plenty of ways to spice up your regular cuppa by choosing herbal brews, warming fruit teas and tea-based mocktails.
“The morning is often when we really need a boost to help us get going. Whether it’s for shopping, socialising, or wrapping presents, a cuppa could be exactly what we need this Christmas – with almost two-thirds (64%) of UKTIA survey respondents admitting that they relied on a cup of tea to tackle the day ahead,” comments Dr Sharon Hall.
She continues, “A cup of tea can be the ideal way to kick off a busy day – especially on a cold and frosty morning – as suggested by the two-fifths (38%) of survey respondents who said they drank tea to keep warm.”
The top three answers for the time of day when people like to drink their tea included: 1) breakfast (over four in 10 – 45%), 2) in the afternoon (44%), and 3) mid-morning (40%). Others said they drank their cuppa on waking (a third – 33%), in the evening (32%), with lunch (over a quarter – 29%), with dinner (nearly a fifth – 18%), and at bedtime (one in 10 – 10%).
As Dr Sharon Hall points out, “A cuppa really is versatile in its ability to support us through busy times. It can help us take a break just as much as it can give us a much-needed boost. For example, the UKTIA real-world research data suggests that over a third (37%) drink tea to take a break. On the flip side, a fifth (20%) of Brits find motivation in their teacup.”
Getting into the specifics, regular black tea (with or without milk) was the most popular answer (40%) when survey respondents were asked which hot drink they would choose if they could only choose one and had to give up all the rest. Around half that number (22%) chose coffee, while 15% chose hot chocolate and 13% chose green tea.
“Among the herbal infusions mentioned in the real-world research, one stands out for its Christmassy character,” says Dr Sharon Hall, adding, “Over four in 10 (43%) said they enjoyed a warming cup of ginger tea.”
Christmas calm in a cup
In many ways, Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but it can also take its toll, with family visiting, food to prepare, presents to buy, and all that wrapping to be done.
As Dr Sharon Hall notes, “So many of us run ourselves ragged in the lead up to Christmas, so putting your feet up with a cuppa is the ideal way to ease the pressure of tackling the Christmas to-do list. Quite sensibly, over a third (37%) of UKTIA survey respondents said they drank tea to take a break, while over four in 10 (44%) said they had a cuppa for the comfort.”
The UKTIA real-world research survey also identified another reason why tea might be a good tool to have in your kit this Christmas, with over one in five (22%) people admitting that putting on the kettle was their go-to when they have a difficult job to do.
“Christmas can be a time of lots of socialising, but we can all take refuge from the noise and chatter by enjoying some peace and quiet with a cup of tea,” says Dr Sharon Hall, adding, “Almost three-quarters (73%) of Brits predominantly enjoy their regular cuppa in the comfort of their own home, according to our data.”
Additionally, over four in 10 (44%) said they made tea at home to take out with them, with many making tea to drink on long car journeys (34%) – something many of us do at Christmas, when visiting friends and family.
Festivities, family and frosty mornings
“On that note, family tensions can sometimes become magnified during the festive season, but once again, it’s tea to the rescue,” says Dr Sharon Hall, adding, “Over a third (36%) of UKTIA survey respondents said that putting on the kettle could help diffuse a difficult conversation.”
Tea also has benefits for those spending Christmas abroad, with three-fifths (60%) of UKTIA survey respondents identifying that drinking tea reminds them of home when they’re overseas.
When the party’s over, tea steps in again with support, as over half (52%) of Brits turn to tea to help them relax, according to the real-world research data, while three-fifths (62%) said having a cup of tea gave them some thinking time.
Dr Sharon Hall concludes, “Our real-world research survey has identified a sleigh-full of ways in which tea can support us through the festive season – from giving a boost to get jobs done, to finding a moment to relax amid the chaos, and maybe even helping to diffuse family tensions. So, it’s encouraging to see that seven in 10 might be forgoing the fizz in favour of a brew.”
To discover more about tea, see: https://www.tea.co.uk/
[1] Perspectus Global. Online survey of 1000 consumers.Data on file.
