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You might even be able to tell the temperature of the water just by listening to how it pours. Humans are surprisingly good at this: Marketers at the company Condiment Junkie tested people to see whether they could tell the difference between the pour of a hot drink and a cold one. Amazingly, 96 percent of people could correctly discern the difference.

Add Milk (Or Don't)

Adding milk to tea can lessen the effect of tannins. Milk's many proteins fold themselves around the tannins, sequestering them and destroying the bitter taste.

The Salt

Health Benefits Of Tea: Milking It Or Not

But there's a well-documented debate about the benefits of adding milk to the cup before or after the tea has been poured. Andrew Stapey, a chemical engineer at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England, argues that milk should always be added beforehand. That way, the milk heats evenly. He says pouring in the milk after the tea causes the proteins in the milk to unfold unevenly, contributing to the skin you get on the top of the brew.

However, Miodownik says he's tried to replicate this effect, but no informal taste tester has ever been able to perceive a difference.

Enjoy

So while the barista at your local shop may roll her eyes at the fussiness of your tea order, a perfect sip comes from careful chemistry. Just don't be surprised if you end up having to make it yourself.

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Meredith Rizzo/NPR

Meredith Rizzo/NPR

Tea Tuesdays is an occasional series exploring the science, history, culture and economics of this ancient brewed beverage. This is the first story in the series.

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