MORE THAN HALF of Irish tea drinkers feel that someone knows them if they make a cup of tea to their liking according to new research.

Research carried out by Amárach for Lyons Tea has also found that one-in-five of those surveyed judge people on their tea making skills. With that in mind it’s little surprise that 80 per cent of Irish people drink tea every day.

The survey found that on average Irish people make three cups of tea each day in work alone.

Our tea obsession does not stop there. The survey found that 80 per cent of tea drinkers consider the hot drink as a source of comfort, while 82 per cent enjoy it while trying to unwind. Three-quarters of people drink tea to perk them up.

The survey also found some other interesting traits abut tea-drinkers:

• Over 20 per cent of Irish people don’t relax because they find it hard to switch off.
• The same number feel guilty when relaxing.
• Nearly 20 per cent  don’t admit to sitting in relaxing at the weekends, for fear their friends think they’re boring.
• Almost a quarter of Irish tea drinkers would turn their phone on silent when relaxing but a fifth would not turn it off.
• Almost a third of Irish tea drinkers want to see a call from their spouse or partner when either unwinding or wanting to be perked up.
• Mums are the second most wanted when trying to relax but when trying to perk up best friends come in second place.
• Unsurprisingly 30 per cent of Irish tea drinkers dread calls from the bank.
• A fifth dread hearing from their boss whether relaxing or looking for a pick-me-up.

Ready for the science bit?

Lyons has released a pantone range of shades of tea which has found that the “perfect tan” is the best shade of tea for a fifth of Irish people, served without sugar or a sweetener for nearly 60 per cent.

How do you like yours? Check out this colour-coded chart…

Lyons has also released two new blends of tea, Fresh Blend and Evening Blend, which go alongside the classic Gold Blend.

The tea maker is Ireland’s number one brand, holding a 41 per cent market share, according to AC Nielsen research from earlier this year.

‘Come Here, Will You Have a Cup of Tea’ Taoiseach of the Day