Tea and coffee
Tea, the second most consumed drink in the world originated in Asia. Tea comes in many forms, from the most obvious English breakfast tea (or builders tea if you will), herbal teas, to a new craze in detoxification teas or ‘skinny’ teas. Tea can be traced all the way back to 59BC in China and is so popular now it even has its own time of day - tea time. Coffee on the other hand, is the preserve of hipsters, office workers and anybody who needs a strong caffeine hit first thing in the morning.
Why 10am is the perfect time to have your morning coffee
If you were to have just one cup of coffee today, the late morning is the best time according to your body’s natural rhythms.
Your next cup of coffee could be made from these plant cells. Here's why
Making coffee is resource intensive and an ecological nightmare. So what’s the future? It could be coffee cells.
The 7 biggest myths about your coffee, debunked by a scientist
The world of coffee is flooded with myths and opinions on how to perfect the magical drink, but which ones are true?
Do you have a caffeine problem? These are the signs to look out for
Have you become reliant on that daily cup of coffee? Science says there are three key indicators to look for
How the right amount of caffeine unlocks lifelong benefits for your body and mind
For many, caffeine is considered a guilty pleasure. But there is growing evidence that our daily fix isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might actually be doing us some good.
The 5 laws of making better home coffee, according to science
Social media is filled with expensive tools and fancy new coffee techniques, but most of these aren’t that helpful, these are the factors to focus on.
Scientists discover one simple trick to drastically improve your home coffee
By grinding your coffee with a splash of water, espressos can be made more consistent and intense. Here's why.
Does blowing on a hot cup of tea actually cool it down?
It's all down to the interplay of convection and evaporation.
Best smart coffee makers: Your new favourite kitchen gadget
Make a cuppa from the comfort of your sofa, and enhance your barista skills with the help of a smart coffee maker.
How is caffeine removed from decaffeinated coffee?
There are several different ways, but the most common method is to soak the coffee beans in a safe solvent.
Ember Mug² review: Is this smart mug worth £99.95?
We tried the smart Ember Mug² to see if it's worth spending just shy of £100 on – after one month of testing, here's the verdict.
Food shortages: Would the national psyche handle running out of tea?
Worker shortages and the pandemic have left our supermarket shelves emptier than usual. What will it mean if supplies of our favourite drink start to dwindle?
Put down the filter: Tea made with impure water tastes better
Calcium carbonate in tap water makes a cup of tea taste crisper, researchers say.
Regularly drinking coffee may help to protect your heart
Drinking three cups of coffee a day is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
A forgotten coffee species could future-proof your morning espresso
Coffea stenophylla from West Africa has a flavour like that of high-end Arabica but grows at warmer temperatures.
Green tea and coffee may be associated with lower risk of death
A coffee a day may keep the doctor away – study links green tea and coffee consumption with a lower risk of death, but its observations are far from conclusive.
Drinking more coffee every day could lower your risk of prostate cancer
A large review of research indicates that that extra cup of coffee does more than keep you alert. In fact, drinking more coffee may reduce your risk of prostate cancer by up to 9 per cent.
A scientist's guide to life | How to make the perfect cup of tea
In Britain, we drink around 165 million cups of tea a day, so let’s get it right. Food scientist Dr Stuart Farrimond reveals all.
Diet rich in fruit, vegetables and tea linked to lower Alzheimer’s risk
People who consumed more flavonol-rich foods and drinks were 48 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, a study has found.
Should I squeeze my teabags?
Asked by: Adam Bates, Halifax
Regular tea drinking associated with longer life (but only if it’s green tea)
Drinking tea at least three times a week - deemed 'habitual' by the study - could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death.
Why does the clinking sound go down in pitch when I stir sugar into my coffee?
Asked by: Julius Centik, Piešťany, Slovakia
Why does coffee make me need a poo?
Overshare alert. Many of us get a bowel movement after having a cup of coffee, which could be due to caffeine and other chemicals stimulating the gut.
Is it possible to drink too much tea?
We English love a good cuppa. Starting the day with a cup of tea, drinking it in the office, there’s even a meal dedicated to it in the afternoon. But how much is too much?