Microwaving tea has sparked widespread controversy, with some seeing it as a practical solution and others considering it a crime against the flavor of the world's most popular beverage.
While some see reheating as a way to save energy and protect the environment, others argue that this step spoils the taste of the tea and leads to uneven heat distribution, making the experience less enjoyable.
To clarify the scientific side of the matter, MailOnline spoke to Professor Mark Miodownik, professor of materials and society at University College London, who made no secret of his strong disapproval of the practice. He said: "The only thing worse than heating tea in a microwave is drinking it on a plane. Tea heated this way is just plain bad."
He explained that tea contains natural compounds known as flavonoids, which are responsible for its rich flavor, but they evaporate quickly and do not last long after preparation. He added, "If you do not drink the tea immediately after preparing it, these compounds disappear. If you heat it again, you lose what remains of its flavor."
Miodownik noted that coffee is more tolerant of reheating, but it also loses some of its flavor over time.
He also touched on other factors that can spoil the tea experience, such as the reduced taste quality on board due to dry air and low pressure, as well as the nature of the water used, especially in areas like London and Kent, where hard water is common and affects the taste.
Despite these criticisms, some scientists believe that microwaves are not so bad.
Professor Chris Budd, professor of mathematical sciences at the University of Bath, said that heating tea in a microwave may be completely safe, explaining that water is a good conductor of microwaves, and the convection currents in it help distribute heat evenly.
But he warned that some cups, especially ceramic ones, can become very hot due to their strong absorption of waves.
Professor Kwan Fung, Head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Newcastle University, explained that the "ideal tea" depends on your goal for drinking it. If the goal is health benefits, he recommends heating the tea in the microwave for two to three minutes, claiming this helps extract the beneficial phytochemicals more effectively than traditional methods.
At the end of the controversy, Yorkshire TV expressed: England expressed her opinion, saying: "We all know how frustrating it is to let a cup of tea get cold. We recommend making a fresh cup when needed, as microwaves can alter the flavor of tea, especially when milk and sugar are present."