Overview

• A USwitch poll of 2,000 Britons found that 60% of Gen-Z respondents microwave their tea instead of using kettles.
• Heating water in a microwave takes about 2 minutes and 40 seconds—more than three times the 48 seconds needed in a kettle.
• Dr Tim Bond of the Tea Advisory Panel warns that uneven microwave heating leads to flat flavour and inconsistent extraction of tea bioactives.
• London and the South East report the highest microwave tea adoption at 28%, while the East Midlands has the lowest rate at 12%.
• Viral TikTok clips and kettle bans in student accommodations have accelerated microwave tea brewing among younger consumers.