If your cup of tea goes cold, do you put it in the microwave to warm it up again? It’s a practice that has divided people for years. While some don’t mind it, for others there’s nothing worse. To help settle the debate once and for all, scientists have revealed that the only thing worse than microwaved tea is a cup of tea served on an airplane. There, a combination of factors, including low air pressure and dry cabin air can lead to a reduced sensitivity to taste and smell at altitude. As for why you should never warm up your cup of tea in the microwave, it’s because the taste gets destroyed. Researchers explained that flavonoids — naturally-occurring compounds that are abundant in tea — are what gives the drink its distinct flavor when brewed. They are, however, extremely volatile, meaning they evaporate easily. If you reheat your tea in the microwave, you get zero flavonoids. Coffee, on the other hand, is a more forgiving drink, so feel free to warm up your coffee in the microwave. So, what happens if you put your cup of tea down and come back to a cold brew? Researchers recommend putting the kettle on again and making a fresh cup.
