In Manhattan

Would Americans prefer the strong brew of PG Tips when confronted with a blind taste test against the rather anaemic — some diehards might say foul — Lipton leaves, the biggest selling tea in the United States?

Armed with lemon, sugar and two teapots, one with PG Tips teabags, the other with Lipton, The Times began its investigation.

Don Wood, a shoeshiner from Brooklyn, sipped both teas: “I've been a Lipton man all my life. I drink it with milk and sugar - it makes me less hyper than coffee. I'd like to drink iced tea but it's too expensive.” But Mr Wood, who polishes footwear on Sixth Avenue, chose PG Tips in the blind test. “It's a different taste, a bit like Tetley. I like it,” he said.

Steve Flowe, a telecoms engineer from South Carolina on a training course in New York, prefers iced tea more than hot. He also chose PG Tips. “That's pretty good,” he said.

New York-based Brazilian model Analu Nunes (her stage name) refused more than one sip of Lipton. “I don't like this at all. I like the other. It tastes more like what I used to drink in Brazil,” she said.

In London

For seasoned British tea drinkers the choice between PG Tips and Lipton came down to a preference over strength.

Those who favoured a full-bodied tea pledged their allegiance to PG Tips, whereas those who preferred a more subtle taste chose Lipton.

Vincent Baughan, a City of London Police constable, was in no doubt. “I usually drink Yorkshire Tea and I like a strong cup,” he said. “Lipton was very weak compared to PG Tips, which has a better flavour as well.”

His colleague, PC Paula Lomas, disagreed. “I drink PG Tips at home and I've never tried Lipton,” she said, “but I prefer Lipton. It's a smoother cup of tea. It's milder and I like that.”

For some the mildness of Lipton rendered it tasteless. Rachel Rose, a legal PA, said: “Lipton doesn't really taste of anything. It's much too weak. I'm not really a habitual tea drinker but I can taste the difference between these. PG tips has quite a strong taste and I like it.”

That strength was not to everyone's taste. Dora Romero, an insurance broker, said: “I don't like PG Tips. It tastes awful. It's just not nice. Lipton is weaker and I like that.”

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