Tradespeople reveal the perfect colour for a cuppa according to new research

  Posted by: electime      24th October 2025

The majority of tradespeople prefer their cup of tea to be a golden shade of brown according to a poll by one of the UK’s largest suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, Toolstation.

Researchers used a 16-point scale featuring a range of different tea strengths from milky white to almost black. Of the 1,000 tradespeople that participated in the survey 26 per cent chose preferred a shade in the middle of the chart. 21 per cent preferred their brew one shade darker, while 11 per cent opted for ‘overstewed’.

The most milky and least milky options proved most unpopular, with only 1 per cent opting for ‘skimmed alive’, while 0 per cent voted for the ‘just coffee’ shade.

The research also settled the debate on which trades took the most tea breaks and tilers took the top slot.  Tilers were top of the pile, with 44 per cent taking three or more breaks to have a cuppa and biccies.

The least likely to take a tea break were plumbers, with just 10 per cent saying they had three or more breaks. The study also found that roofers took the longest breaks, with 50% taking 20 minutes, followed by carpenters, of which 30 per cent took 20 minutes.

Toolstation’s Greg Richardson said:

“While many of us enjoy a brew, the UK’s tradespeople, who are the connoisseurs of a good cuppa, have spoken and settled the debate once and for all. The perfect colour is in fact a golden shade of brown.

“Our findings also show that tilers take more tea breaks than any other trades, closely followed by roofers and builders. Regular tea breaks can improve your concentration and restore your energy levels and having a cuppa is a great way to do this.”