You've been drinking tea wrong - expert urges people to 'never' dunk biscuits

29 May 2023 , 14:04

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Tea and biscuits shouldn't be mixed, says the etiquette expert (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Tea and biscuits are one of those things that just go together. For many Brits, there's nothing better than a hot brew with a few delicious, sweet treats on the side.

However, if you're a fan of the combo it turns out you could be drinking tea wrong, according to etiquette expert and former Royal butler Grant Harrold.

He has shockingly revealed that you should never dunk your favourite biccy in your freshly brewed cuppa.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Grant said: "We should never dunk anything into our cups of tea. If you dunk a biscuit in your tea, it will change the flavour of the tea, you will get some biscuit at the bottom of it, and it will be all soggy."

Dunking your biscuits in your tea isn't a good idea, apparently (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

He added: "You don't want to be doing it. The idea of a cup of tea is that you sip and enjoy it."

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According to the etiquette expert, if you can't resist dunking your biscuit into your brew, then just one biscuit "is sufficient". To many Brits' disappointment, he added: "Two is definitely ample, but three is overindulgent".

That being said, we won't judge you if you demolish the whole pack. Accidents happen.

For many, a chocolate biscuit is the height of indulgence, but as Grant points out, it can be incredibly messy – which is why he recommends choosing a plain biscuit if you have to dunk.

He said: "Digestive biscuits are a top favourite as well as any chocolate biscuit. But chocolate can be messy, and you don't want to look like you've just been to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

"I would suggest a plain biscuit, like a digestive would be fine. And if you want to push the boat out a bit more, and be a bit more classy with your biscuit choice, you could opt for Duchy Originals."

Lastly, if you're invited to drink tea with someone, Grant warns against dropping any crumbs, or it could be quite awkward: "If you do drop crumbs, you don't want to be drawing attention to that or yourself.

"You don't want anyone to notice. If you have a dog with you, the dog will likely notice it and draw more attention to it.

"If you drop any crumbs or make a mess around you, hopefully, nobody has noticed this, because it's possible you may not be invited back and it's going to be a big cost getting it cleaned."

Do you dunk your biscuits in your tea? Let us know in the comments below.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz