James May Tackles Cold Tea Crisis With A Cup Of Tea Alarm | James May's Man Lab

James May tackles Britan's cold tea crisis head on with a nifty temperature sensitive invention that he's calling the cup of tea alarm.
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[@ukquesttv]

Do you have any ideas for tackling the 'cold tea crisis'? Let us know in the comments below!

[@moonrunner8791]

yeah dont be a pussy, and drink the cold tea/coffee.

[@ciaranhagen]

Make an induction cup. Basically a cup with an induction heating plate inside. You could even make a stand on a desk to put the cup on for energy transmission.

[@jeremyfisher8512]

Put some ice in it, add some more sugar, and you've got a refreshing drink for a hot summer day... (I'm not sure how warm it gets in the uk but shhhhh, don't think about it)

[@georgejacob3162]

Yes top up with freshly boiled water!

[@ShieldAgent75]

Put a pressure switch on the cup, so once you pick it up it stops buzzing. Bonus is if you store it in the cupboard upside down and it won't buzz in there either.

[@T-800..]

British engineering for a very British problem.

[@jackfarr_23]

I appear to have come across the most "James May" video ever.

[@chevyDboyMike]

It appears that i have come across the most british thing ever...tea; f'in tea. Seems they cry over it like babies that that cry over milk; not to mention the fact that they use milk in tea 😩

[@Eren-da-Jaeger]

He made them agree to the milk first theory just by being Annoying James May which Rich and Jerome kept talking about all these years.

[@watsbrewing]

James : let's do the most British thing ever. Crew : let's make a tea alarm

[@vaughnsigal4560]

Tea bag tea = brew in mug, then add milk Tea pot / Loose leaf = brew in teapot, put milk in teacup, pour brewed tea over said teacup There...

[@moldboy2]

this. Tea needs to be brewed at the right temperature adding milk at the wrong time goes and fouls all that up

[@Nonplused]

What might be more useful is something that indicates when a beer is getting too warm. Na, scratch that, nobody leaves a beer sitting somewhere.

[@firstname-gq5yr]

Haha yea. The sort of person that does that doesn't deserve beer 😂

[@setusername8275]

Also you forget that Brits drink warm beer. xD

[@oliverturner5334]

@@setusername8275 not warm! a nice 10 degrees will do nicely. Although lager is served cold

[@mickydee3819]

The reason for milk at all, which is something I rarely put in my tea anyway, used to be because pouring tea from the pot into the fine bone China cups they had way back in the 1700's used to crack the cups. Adding milk FIRST reduced the temp of the poured tea and hence the cups didn't crack...

[@oscarmuffin4322]

4:48 "Perfectly drinkable" he says. That's mank, look at the amount of milk in that....... IT'S GONE WHITE!!!

[@elliotthutton7175]

just needed stirring i reckon.

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

Southerners don't know how to make a proper brew, they make it well too milky and use semi skimmed shite

[@cisium1184]

He poured the milk in before it had had a chance to steep.

[@oscarmuffin4322]

​@@elliotthutton7175 No amount of stirring is going to fix that. That liquid belongs down the sink and the cup in the bin as it's been tainted.

[@BaldMancTwat]

@@mrcaboosevg6089 Too broke to afford semi skimmed

[@unbindingfloyd]

That whole tea debate was fascinating and extremely British to me as a Texan. Thats how we argue about cooking a steak or BBQ hahaha.

[@mrmoran0077]

Funnily enough I've just noticed my coffee has gone cold while watching this

[@GuvernorDave]

So absurdly unnecessary and yet genius. This is James May at his finest.

[@nlocks6941]

When May out May’d himself the camera man who had already agreed to film a stopwatch walked off in boredom’s 😂😂😂 I love you captain slow never change!!

[@lilkorea27]

I would reference ISO 3103 which is the standardized method for brewing tea,

[@chetanaik]

Not necessarily the right way of making tea, just a standard way of making tea for experiments across the world. While this is an experiment (of sorts) the tea itself isn't super relevant, so the ISO standard doesn't need to be referenced.

[@cornovii3012]

There is a right way of making tea and then there is the ones who put milk in first and ruin it.

[@Farlig69]

If you make the tea in a pot first, then it´s okay to put the milk in the cup / mug first - but god forbid you try to make a mug of tea with milk & teabag in first 🤮🤮🤮

[@poisonpotato1]

you dont put milk in it at all you put in ice and sugar

[@lord_scrubington]

Here we see James May. And Glasses James May. Making a mug

[@sauliniinisto5779]

This is the best series ever!

[@kieranjohnson6752]

this needs to be an actual product or at least a standard fitting to all cups and mugs also water first then milk

[@Jamie_kemp]

well done sir you make your tea in the correct fashion

[@lisaj7011]

This is indeed a serious problem! Well done for tackling it, although the amount of milk in that cup it probably went down 30 degrees in the first 5 seconds! 🤦‍♀️

[@GamersComputer]

According to the ISO 3103 standard : "If the test involves milk, then it is added before pouring the infused tea unless that is contrary to the organisation's normal practice."

[@factytop10s45]

Finally somebody doing something sensible other then doing stupid things and opening boxes James you are the man

[@epic_errors]

They already have a product that you can buy that doesn't have an alarm, but in fact keeps your tea warm. It continually warms your tea.

[@veggiedisease123]

This show was filmed like 12 years ago, Ember wasn't around then.

[@Annabelle66633]

I’m watching this while drinking a cup of tea ☕️🙂😋👍🏻

[@Shaun742]

I very rarely forget about a half-drunk cup of tea and if I do I just drink it cold, but one problem I do have far more frequently when making a cup of tea is wandering off while it's steeping and then forgetting about it only to wander into the kitchen 30mins later to find a stone cold mug of incredibly strong tea with the bag still in. Looks like this contraption would solve this problem too.

[@philipstreechon4523]

THIS IS A FANTASTIC THING

[@v.t.6890]

Don't you dare to mess with Superman May. Awesome and I want and hope to meet Mr. May one day. He seems complicated but he is a very well sorted out person. The world needs more people like him so that we can make products of two and three generations development in one go. Instead of putting crap in the market every year and then learn about some very stupid mistakes from the customers. If a man like him were the in charge of product development in every company we would have made at least three times more progress as of now or be in today's time at least 20 or 30 years ago. Love and cheers from India.

[@timotje25]

Wow. So much science involved in tea

[@pr0xZen]

Not a bad idea! It needs that switch, and a user adjustable thermostat, but a really good start. Arguably, this is a product well suited for wireless charging. It uses very little power, mainly when the buzzer is going off - even if you designed the thermostat with electronics. If you have a charging pad next to the electric kettle base, and you just remember to place the cup on the pad when you turn the kettle on, a couple of times each week, you should be golden. Another pad next to the drying rack for the dishes, or in the cupboard, ensures the battery gets properly topped up once in a while.

[@fdk7014]

"Man Lab" was an awesome show!

[@amysun6080]

This is brilliant. The only problem is if I had this cup in a quiet library. Here is my idea free for you: maybe add vibration and LED light.

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

No no no. Of course it should have Bluetooth and an app that tells you where it is 😁, and maybe shares the mug position and temperature on social media. BTW shouldn't it be a ceramic mug rather than a metal one to keep the heat longer?

[@salaf4609]

Well done James that’s my cup of tea 😁

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Now I have to make tea.

[@sleightlyhandy889]

Great video but does anyone know what kind of planer he's using here on the piece of wood?

[@LiamHill]

I want one!

[@MonkeyspankO]

[@popuptoaster]

Milk first but only because i chuck everything into the mug while waiting for the kettle to boil, there have been studies done with blind taste testing and no one can tell the difference anyway so make it how you like, it makes no difference.

[@christopherharvey7974]

Where can I buy one I'm looking everywhere and can't find them for sale

[@mdoolen3467]

I need one of these mugs for my coffee

[@thesturm8686]

**confused in iced tea**

[@MelvinSimKH]

“It’s like Ronnie Corbett with a violin. It’s incredibly small and fiddly.” ROFLMAO.

[@obadaodeh1625]

Only james may can make the process of making a cup of tea an interesting process.

[@rubyboy99]

Id buy this

[@gracecalis5421]

Them arguing about milk and tea may just be the most British thing I've ever witnessed

[@georgeramirez7525]

that is why you like him, he will argue about the temperature of the air and its ability to decrease temperature over a certain amount of time given its volume in a cup depending on its base material

[@CrazyBikerGuy]

Milks goes in last, I remember when I meet with James and this exact convo went on 🤣

[@CrazyBikerGuy]

@Eleanor Turner LAST !

[@CrazyBikerGuy]

Tea bag in then sugar if required then water and then milk 2 stirs of the spoon and then 1 reverse to settle it then add a little milk and then square the tea bag out and add milk as required on top.

[@gideonmele1556]

Sounds a lot more like milk than tea

[@apocalypse94]

u should put a preasure switch that breaks the current when u lift the cup so it stops beeping.

[@midnight2600]

The answer to the cold tea issue comes from the southern part of America. Put ice in it and make iced tea ;)

[@bpg9992]

Iced tea is a crime against humanity

[@davidtuttle7556]

You forgot the half pound of sugar per gallon.

[@erikmardiste]

Only the poms can get worried about a cuppa

[@mcchicken9878]

Also he has the exact piece of wood in his hand at the start of the video and the very end and claims he has been working on it lol

[@FrankDad]

No wonder captain slow’s tea goes cold, he can’t back to it in time

[@justinread4381]

The reason for putting milk in first is to keep the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup. This obviously is only for making tea in a tea pot not tea bags.

[@spliceoncharlie]

Never been a big hot tea drinker but I do love some hot mint tea from time to time. Maybe coffee is different, but can't you just through it in the microwave and reheat the tea? I always have to reheat coffee that has gone cold in the cup. Doesn't seem to change the taste just adds heat to the drink. Just always use a ceramic or microwave safe cup for your tea and when it gets cold, nuke it for 30 seconds or one minute.

[@gca_22]

Actually, everytime I've microwaved cold coffee it came out with a burnt taste.

[@spliceoncharlie]

@@gca_22 Never had any coffee come out of the microwave tasting burnt. Never. The only burnt coffee I have ever experienced was from setting on the warming tray all day at a convenient store or restaurant and as a result the coffee slowly begins to cook and the water will dehydrate out and you get the burnt taste. When you nuke the coffee, you are not cooking this stuff, just reheating. If you are trying to bring it back to a boil then that's overkill on the reheat.

[@spliceoncharlie]

@Monty Python the Flying Circus No I cannot do that........ I will not waste my tea and coffee. I have a knack for tea and coffee brewing and never have anything below a simple quality fresh brewed cup. Even my reheated brew is just as good. Proper care must be taken when reheating. I am thinking the problem may be, either people cannot brew their own without messing it up or they try to boil or recook their brew instead of a simple reheat. Not sure. James is right, though, there is a Tea emergency here and people need proper training in the fine art of making and reheating your own tea. So much wasted tea.

[@cisium1184]

James is right. Scientifically, the milk should go in first.

[@harvey9290]

But then pour in boiling water and damage the molecular structure of the milk making it taste worse?

[@Shaun742]

If you're making the tea in the mug and add the milk first then the water won't be hot enough to steep the tea properly. If you're steeping the tea separately (i.e. teapot) I can understand it but who the fuck uses a teapot in this day and age?

[@AndreMonthy]

after wathing this episode I tried milk first and have been doing it ever since. I can attest it does taste better and you don't get that film of milk on the top because ,as james said, the milk has not been scoulded.

[@-RedSerpent-]

No. Tea needs to be made in this order and no other. Teabag in cup, (sugar if wanted), hot water (80 to 100 degrees Celsius (so boiling)) poured directly onto the teabag at an even rate, cup filled to about 3/4 and then milk (if wanted) but only once the teabag has stewed for a small amount of time depending on the amount of sugar and or milk in the cup. Then drink whilst hot/warm.

[@broderfoder9348]

Tea forgotten gone cold? Swallow your pride, and your cold tea, it's the punishment for forgetting it in the first place.

[@holymaryfullofshit3790]

2:20 james is right its called temperating and chefs do it to eggs. dont know if it actually does something to the taste but in principal hes right. i mean the conter argument is "i do it diferently" wich isnt an argument...

[@ragasdapper]

But does it make a spliff to go with my cup of tea

[@leopold7562]

So, there's a fantastic idea to solve a problem that is the bane of all our lives here in the UK. Aside from the aftertaste of solder and the metal filings and the fact it won't ever stop beeping until you refill it with hot tea. It seems "Ambitious but rubbish" is still the order of the day...

[@ImpalamansGarage]

What crisis? Drink iced tea.

[@dfw_motorrad1329]

Why do we not argue more about the ideal temperature? I think about 48 degrees is the minimum. Ideal around 52-53. Also you could do this a lot more reliably with a thermistor and a micro-controller that measures resistance and some code where you could set your alarm temperature to suit your preference with just an up or down button. Third button for switching modes so you can change the volume of the alarm. Throw in a little two digit seven-segment display to show alarm temperature and even real-time temperature. I'd pay money for that. In fact, I might make one.

[@moldboy2]

push notification to your phone as it approaches the too cold temperature

[@dfw_motorrad1329]

@@moldboy2 Ooh yes you could include an app. Control the whole thing through the app. No buttons necessary.

[@dukexiao1919]

I found that microwaving my tea after putting boiling water into the tea bag makes a more intense tea that I really enjoy. Genius！

[@dukexiao1919]

@Monty Python the Flying Circus I really enjoy intense milk tea such as the ones in Hong Kong. Microwave does the trick and is good for me. Otherwise the tea is too bland and feels like drink tea and water and milk. However that is just my personal opinion and I appreciate that many may think that microwave affect the taste negatively, which is not experienced by me.

[@dukexiao1919]

@Monty Python the Flying Circus I drink Twinings by the way. It is very quality and cheap tea.

[@kendal5210]

What about the effect it will have on the family dog?

[@Cypher791]

Could this technology be used to alert me when my chilled, refreshing can of Coca-Cola is getting warm... 🤔

[@ronknox3376]

No but here in Canada the crisis is warm beer forgotten while working on your car or BBQing. Can you help?

[@bobnlouie]

Cleaning the mug would be a problem. What about a detachable coaster? Clip it onto a fresh brew, then unclip it for washing up. Also, the milk goes in last, otherwise how would you know how much milk you need? You can't muck about with something as important as tea.

[@drakebenelli2]

We drink ice tea in the South.

[@Tom-uv7ry]

I've tried it but its nothing on a proper cuppa tea a nice hot strong sugary tea

[@Filipe1020]

1:46 "Tea Scientists" That is british as fuck

[@anonymousstout4759]

How about a cup that keep the Temperature steady that would be a Holly grail of tea cup

[@guypoole3444]

Will it work with Beer getting Warm ???

[@ahmedalhashar]

Mass produceing that would be cool

[@SaintDre7]

i wish i wasnt stupid at math cuz this looks fun af

[@respectedgentleman4322]

Oh James you let me down!!! You're still my favourite presenter but I have to take away a point for putting the milk in first.

[@philipstreechon4523]

make it a bom so you can get a hot cup of tea

[@godzillas6301]

Workings go in the handle knumb nuts , the surface its sat on will trigger the alarm otherwise ..... if you really want to be smartarseish then a self heater to maintain the teas warmth would have been a plan .

[@Nommie_Noms]

James May is one of my favourite lad's in the world but the fact that he considers milk should go in first scares me.

[@asmolbean9300]

Someone should manufacturer these, idk why they haven't already.

[@yardbirds89]

is it Cold Tea or is it warm iced tea.

[@MrRyanMcCall]

I badly need this, 3/4 wasted cups daily

[@ARB6769]

Clarkson: Just get on with it

[@moonrunner8791]

how hard can it be?

[@mj13713]

I don't drink my tea with milk because the milk becomes gross when it's scalded by the tea. I may try putting it in the cup first now to see if it helps

[@LeutnantComanderData]

did it ?

[@JippaJ]

I always just drink iced tea.

[@20cameron1]

Best solution: cup warmer

[@thribs]

So it ends with James getting lead poisoning. :) Will it work with coffee?

[@TheLikeys]

What was the final of your argument? HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY TEA?

[@user-pm2dn3kh9u]

👍👍👍

[@sablatnic8030]

Milk!?! No milk for me, please - I actually happen to like tea! ^_^

[@fritzstorp8357]

Or just get an insulated mug

[@joeturner1597]

When you drink tea, or coffee, you should just drink tea, or coffee. Do not detract from the exquisite moment by indulging in spurious activity. Savour the experience of being one with the beverage. Life is short enough. Take time to smell the coffee.

[@Slavir_Nabru]

It's simple physics, the tea will infuse and the sugar will dissolve more readily at higher temperatures, ergo the milk should be added last in order to minimise stirring, saving calories and therefor reducing agricultural deforestation and protecting the environment. You might as well dump toxic waste into the ocean if you're going to put the milk in first.

[@paulwood6729]

Tea, milk & sugar are three items that should never meet.

[@ZakFarley]

Milk first. ALWAYS! fight me

[@SergioFonseca-or3go]

Milk first would require a separate cup to make the tea to therefore pour into the cup with milk in it how incredibly wasteful or is there something I'm missing? Btw you English and your round tea bags that are always submerged is one of your greatest exports

[@animeOfDarkness405]

with my tea i put milk first then sugar then teabag then hot boiling water

[@jontybryce1927]

Sydney is a monster! Who puts that much milk in a cup of tea

[@MilesBellas]

I put a lid on it..... ie from a can of coffee creamer or aluminium foil circle.

[@ste887]

undrinkable?!! its tea man, get it down ya, wouldn't fly with that shit in Yorkshire would be drunk regardless

[@Abc-yt3el]

Cup, sugar, milk, tea bag, hot water, stir, stir a bit more, bag out, down your throat 👍🏼

[@botinhas82]

I got this Christmas an Ember cup (ember dot com). Problem solved! :)

[@moramento22]

Tea first... no milk! *sighs I hear*

[@shahinsha108]

Add the milk in first , please .....