1,001 Care Residents Reveal Britain’s Perfect Cuppa for Time for a Cuppa Week
Strong, black, properly brewed and best enjoyed first thing in the morning – that’s the verdict from 1,001 care residents across the Midlands, who have shared their tea-drinking wisdom ahead of Time for a Cuppa Week (1st-8th May).
Residents from across Macc Care Group’s 17 care homes, including homes in Birmingham, Solihull, Stafford, Walsall and Wolverhampton, were asked to draw on decades of experience to answer two of Britain’s most hotly debated questions: what makes the perfect cup of tea, and when is the best time to drink it?
Their answer was clear. The perfect cuppa should be properly brewed, strong, black and enjoyed first thing in the morning, when a comforting brew can help set the tone for the day. Earl Grey also emerged as the standout favourite blend among residents, while traditional black teas and builders’ tea received strong backing.
But while the survey set out to settle the age-old debate around Britain’s best brew, the answers also highlighted something deeper: the role tea continues to play in bringing comfort, routine, conversation and connection into everyday life.
The findings have been released to mark Time for a Cuppa Week, which encourages people to come together over tea and cake in support of families affected by dementia.
Among those taking part was 92-year-old Ethel Bonehill, who said tea had been part of her life for as long as she could remember. She said: “I’ve drunk it all my life. So have my family.”
Sandra Christine Bough, 82, summed up the comfort of a morning brew, saying her perfect cup of tea would be: “First thing in the morning, after having a rough night. And somebody else to make it!”
Sandra Christine Bough, 82, said: “First thing in the morning, after having a rough night. And somebody else to make it!”
Joan Harris, 89, reflected on the importance of tea with loved ones, stating: “Tea helps us to start and prepare for the day ahead. I enjoy my daily cups of tea, and more so when my family visit me. Enjoying a brew with my loved ones means more to me as I enjoy their company and conversations.”
Slyvia Pugh 79, shared how tea makes her feel nostalgic: “Making a cup of tea always takes me back, the smell alone brings all those old, gentle memories drifting in like they were only yesterday.”
The resident survey was brought to life during a special tea tasting session at Wyrley Rose in Great Wyrley, led by tea specialist James Green, founder of Tea From The Manor, which supplies high-quality, ethically sourced loose-leaf tea and tea bags to hospitality venues and care homes.
Tea Expert, James Green, said: “A cup of tea might seem simple, but it can start conversations, bring back memories and give people a moment that feels personal to them.”
The tasting gave residents the chance to share personal rituals, discuss their favourite flavours and reflect on the small details that make a cup of tea feel special – from brewing strength and timing to who makes it.
James, whose own journey into tea began during his military career after being introduced to “real tea” by Gurkhas serving in the British Army, said the event showed how something as simple as a cuppa can become a meaningful moment of choice and connection: “What stood out to me was how much personality came through in every resident’s answer. Everyone had their own ritual, whether that was a strong black tea first thing in the morning, an Earl Grey, a builders’ tea or something completely different.
“In some care homes, people might simply be asked whether they want a cup of tea. But this is their home, and they should be able to enjoy the same choice, quality and sense of occasion they would anywhere else. That is why experiences like this matter. A cup of tea might seem simple, but it can start conversations, bring back memories and give people a moment that feels personal to them.”
Bhav Amlani, Director at Macc Care, said: “Tea is one of those simple rituals that means far more than the drink itself. For many of our residents, a good cup of tea is tied to comfort and routine, as well as conversation and memories of home, family and friendship.
He added: “That feels especially fitting for Time for a Cuppa Week, which is all about bringing people together over tea. By asking more than 1,000 residents for their views, we wanted to celebrate the small daily moments that continue to matter deeply in later life. What came through clearly was that everyone has their own idea of the perfect brew, but the meaning behind it is often the same. It is about taking a moment, sharing time with others and enjoying something familiar, comforting and made with care.”
