Why your tea stays bitter despite adding sugar: Common mistake explained
The main reason why sugar doesn’t dissolve in tea (photo: magnific)
Many people habitually stir sugar in a cup using circular motions, but this exact habit prevents it from fully dissolving.
The Daily Express explains the main mistake made by those who like adding sugar to tea.
Why circular stirring is a mistake
Etiquette expert William Hanson warns that creating a whirlpool with a spoon is a major mistake made by millions of tea drinkers.
When we stir the spoon too vigorously in circles, a vortex forms in the center of the cup, pressing the sugar to the bottom and preventing it from mixing with the liquid. In addition, if the cup is filled to the brim, this method can cause tea to splash onto the saucer.
Hanson emphasizes that the sugar simply stays in place instead of sweetening the drink.
The 12–6 technique for faster results
Instead of circular motions, the expert recommends gentle back-and-forth vertical movements. Move the spoon as if along an imaginary clock face, from 12 to 6 o’clock and back again.
This method helps the liquid fold properly, which speeds up the dissolution of even solid sugar cubes.
Etiquette and serving rules
To ensure an elegant tea experience, avoid loudly clinking the spoon against the sides of the cup. After stirring, the spoon should always be removed from the drink rather than left inside.
For perfect dissolution, only 2–3 smooth vertical movements are enough. The used spoon should be placed on a saucer behind the cup. The spoon handle should be aligned in the same direction as the cup handle
