Admit it , when 'Broadchurch's' DI Hardy microwaved a cup of tea, you clutched your chest and gasped in horror! The blasphemy of putting a fine cuppa in a microwave is incomprehensible, and as some of the Twitteratti called, “a crime worth going jail for”, and “sacrilege”. However, a recent research shows that the “disgusting” method of making tea could possibly make the best and healthiest brew.
An Australian scientist has found that using a microwave to make tea activated 80 per cent of the caffeine, theanine and antioxidant compounds- properties that are linked to lower cardiovascular disease and cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. But most importantly, the generated taste was the best too. Speaking with the ABC, Dr Quan Vuong said, “Microwaving is one of the advanced technologies to get more bioactive compounds from the products.” He found that the health benefits were greatest when drinking three cups of tea a day. Bags, or loose leaf tea, both rendered the same result.
Vuong's research which was conducted in 2012 at the University of Newcastle, triggered fierce debate on the internet, with several tea-lovers not happy with the results. The debate was such, even The Guardian joined in and conducted their own test for the results. In a blind tasting, sampled cups of English Breakfast Tea was made using the same kettle method, and then brewed in the microwave as told by Vuong. While they still prefer the kettle-made tea, science seems to have won the argument.
Vuong's Method for Microwave Tea
The exact method he used was this:
1. Put hot water in the cup with your teabag.
2. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds on half power.
3. Let it sit for a minute.
