Builder's tea explained

Builder's tea, also known as a builder's brew or gaffer's tea, is a British English colloquial term for a strong cup of tea.^{[1] [2]} It takes its name from the inexpensive tea commonly drunk by labourers taking a break. A builder's tea is typically brewed in a mug with the tea contained in a teabag (as opposed to loose leaves in a teapot), with milk added, either after stirring the tea, or leaving it to stand and infuse. It is often taken with one or more teaspoons of white sugar, but this is optional.

Builder's tea is typically robust and has a rich, dark beige colour.^[3] The name was chosen because workers in the British building trade typically drink many cups of tea during their working day.^{[4] [5]} The term has widespread use throughout both Great Britain and Ireland.^{[6] [7] [8]} Research from the Social Issues Research Centre found that people performing construction work found tea "both soothing and stimulating".^[9]

A 2013 article in the Daily Express noted that construction workers were drinking less tea than they used to, preferring alternatives such as coffee (especially cappuccino and latte), as well as soft drinks.^[10]

See also

• Tea in the United Kingdom

Notes and References

1. Book: Colman Andrews . The British Table: A New Look at the Traditional Cooking of England, Scotland, and Wales . 8 November 2016 . ABRAMS . 978-1-61312-211-2 . 637–.
2. Book: Souter, K. . The Tea Cyclopedia: A Celebration of the World's Favorite Drink . Skyhorse Publishing . EBL-Schweitzer . 2013 . 978-1-62873-548-2 . 28 May 2018 . 77.
3. News: Edwards . Adam . Liquid assets: builder's tea . 22 June 2016 . The Telegraph . 23 June 2001.
4. News: Are you posh or a pleb? Cuppas, class and other British obsessions . Norman . Miller . 17 March 2017 . The Telegraph . 26 May 2018.
5. News: Minor British Institutions: Builders' tea . 19 February 2011 . The Independent . 26 May 2018.
6. Book: John Ayto . The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink . registration . 18 October 2012 . Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-964024-9 . 50–.
7. Book: Karen Bescherer Metheny . Mary C. Beaudry . Archaeology of Food: An Encyclopedia . 7 August 2015 . Rowman & Littlefield Publishers . 978-0-7591-2366-3 . 176–.
8. Will Self: Why I hate builder's tea . New Statesman. 26 May 2018.
9. Web site: Two Great British Obsessions - Tea and DIY - First-Timers . Sirc.org (Social Issues Research Centre). 27 May 2013.
10. Web site: Sheldrick . Giles . Builder's tea no longer preferred drink for construction workers . Express.co.uk . 10 July 2013 . 5 June 2018.