Love a hot cup of tea but hate the waxy layer? There's an easy way to get rid of it!

From office discussions to friendly catch-ups, a hot cup of tea can be enjoyed with anyone and anywhere. And with a variety ranging from cardamom, ginger to masala tea and more, the family of tea lovers continues to grow the world over.

But a waxy coating on the surface of tea can disturb even the eyes of an ardent tea lover. Most of the time the layer is not visible to the naked eye but, when the tea is disturbed, the cracks begin to show.

To save people from experiencing this, scientists from the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health in Zurich have figured out why the layer appears on tea and how can one get rid of it.

What causes the layer to appear on tea?

The scientists highlighted that tea leaves contain a compound known as polyphenols which have a tendency to bond with calcium carbonate present in tap water. It is due to this that a thin layer appears on the surface of the tea.

Ways to get rid of tea scum

But worry not, as there are easy ways to get rid of the layer.

Use citric acid

Citric Acid! Yes, you heard that right! The study noted that adding a few drops of lemon juice or citric acid to your tea can result in the thinning and softening of the layer.

Use soft-water

The researchers observed that the hardness of water is a major reason behind the formation of a waxy layer in your teacup. This is because hard water contains more minerals which creates a thick film. This is why soft water is a better choice for a layer-less cup of tea.

Last but not the least, if nothing works, drink your tea black as adding milk only contributes to a thicker layer.

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