British cup of tea under threat as climate change could fundamentally alter its taste, campaigners fear

Campaigners have issued a dire warning that the taste of a cup of tea could be forever altered thanks to climate change.

A report published by aid agency Christian Aid warns rising temperatures and worsening weather extremes in countries such as Kenya, India and Sri Lanka could make tea more bitter and harsher with less consistent flavours.

Even tea growers in the UK are experiencing climate change, which they warn is making it much harder to achieve consistent flavours.

Disruptions to harvests caused by the changing climate are likely to cause price spikes, rising costs and unreliable supplies of the staple British drink.

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Tea flavours and quality depend on a balance of compounds such as catechins, amino acids and polyphenols, according to the report.

However, higher temperatures increase the production of more astringent compounds while reducing sweetness, leading to a more bitter taste.

Erratic rainfall can dilute compounds that give tea its depth and character, while extreme weather from droughts to floods and worsening crop pests in warmer conditions can also put pressure on the plants, leading to lower yields, lower quality and more bitter crops, the report says.

It carried on: "The result is a simple but unsettling prospect, the familiar taste of the British cuppa, smooth, balanced, reliable, is becoming harder to guarantee."

More to follow...

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