I'll have the Sweet Chilli Tea, and she'll have the Hibiscus Bliss

It's hard to believe, or remember, but I never used to like tea. No, it was either hot water or a coffee for me. I'd only ever accept a brew when it was forced upon me, and it would either be too milky, too strong or just odd.

Then, I started a job in a creative agency and every half hour someone would offer to make tea for the team. They guzzled the stuff. So, in order to seem polite and part of the team, I'd accept. And over time I started a healthy addiction that's still in force this very day.

The Brits have had a fascination with a good cuppa for centuries. In fact, during the Blitz tea wagons staffed with stoic women would serve tea to the rescue workers putting out blazes and aiding the wounded. Even as bombs dropped around them. THAT'S how much we love it.

The Guardian ran an interview with Alan Hartley, who was 16 when the Germans bombed Coventry. I'd really recommend you read the full article, but one quote really stood out. Describing the aftermath of the raid, he said, "To my great surprise, at six in the morning, a tea wagon arrived within minutes of the all-clear sounding, and the rescue squads were queueing up and having tea."

Yes, there's no problem in the world that can't be soothed with a cuppa. Broken up with your lying scumbag boyfriend? Cuppa. Broken leg? Cuppa. Yes, from restoring that community spirit, helping a friend through a breakup, to simply stubbing your toe running to answer the door to the postman, tea is part of our culture and heritage, and it's here to stay.

And over the years, we've seen different and interesting infusions hit the shops. For example, Higher Living have been blending brews for almost half a century. Their range includes the standard herbal and fruity blends, like licorice and mint, to sweet chilli and hibiscus for the more daring. And with a real make do and mend spirit becoming a way of life for us yunguns, lots of people have been brewing their own infusions using the very best of what nature provides.

Tea has been part of our heritage for centuries. And long may it continue. I'm off to make a cuppa.

Laura is the editor of six out of ten. She has a background in journalism and PR, and loves nothing more than writing. Well. Maybe she loves Eddie Vedder a bit more (a lot more). She lives with her boy and her boycat in a house in Essex. Her favourite things are red lip stains (lipsticks never last), sweet cocktails and fresh, new notebooks.