Builder's tea

Builder's tea is a British English colloquial term for a strong cup of tea. 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 a teabag (as opposed to loose tealeaves in a teapot), with milk and sugar.

In 1916 the Ministry of Munitions health committee pronounced in a document titled Hours of Work: "An opportunity for tea is regarded as beneficial both to health and output."

Builder's tea is typically robust and a rich brown colour. The leaves are often brewed for longer than usual. Brands high in tannin, caffeine and Assam leaves better suited to builder's tea include PG Tips, Red Label (Brooke Bond, Tesco), Tetley, Yorkshire Tea and Lyon's Quickbrew.

It is associated not only with labourers in the building trades, but also with DIY, according to the Social Issues Research Centre. The term has widespread use throughout both Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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