Chemists are to honour George Orwell by searching for the perfect way to make his favourite drink - tea.

So we're asking the people of Cambridgeshire how they like their cuppas - milky and weak or black and strong?

The Royal Society of Chemistry's search for the perfect cuppa will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Orwell, whose works include an essay on tea as well as acclaimed social commentaries "1984" and "Animal Farm".

Orwell's 1946 essay "A Nice Cup of Tea" laid down 11 steps to the perfect brew, and was a reaction to a lack of guidance on tea-brewing in cook books. More from Orwell >>

To help the scientists find that perfect brew, we're asking the people of Cambridgeshire to tell us how they like their tea. We've been out and about asking lots of local celebrities about their tea-making habits:

Barry Fry's perfect cuppa:

Barry Fry likes his tea nice and simple. He's a straightforward man and doesn't want anything too Posh! Listen to Barry describing how he makes the perfect cuppa!

The perfect brew - by Ray Pobgee:

Former Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Ray Pobgee gets his wife to make the tea! Tsk, tsk! Ray - we hope you're joking! Listen to Ray describing how his wife makes the tea. He's a milk in first man!

Ah go on! Go on and listen to this:

The Irish seem to prefer their Guinness to a nice brew! Still, they think they know how to make a lovely cuppa - go on now! Listen to the perfect cuppa according to the Irish!

A right t'proper cuppa:

Not fancy folk those northerners, they like it nice and strong so it looks like tar! Have a listen t' this. A right proper cuppa with nowt taken out!

How do you like yours?
So how do you make your perfect cuppa? Do you use teabags? If so, round or square? Do you put the milk in first? Do you use a teapot? We want to know!

Strong enough to stand a spoon up in, touch of milk. Red hot so it scalds the back of my throat.
Mr Northern, Ely

Tetley, freshly boiled water from the kettle, steep 2.5-3 minutes, 2 level sugars, just a hint of milk. In the evenings, darjeerling (loose or Twinings) - in a china mug or Brown Betty 2-cup, 2 level sugars, no milk. A nice way to end usually stress-filled days!
Heather, Portland, ME/US

I love a strong, hot cup of tea, put the tea bag in my mug a let it brew.
Sue Lane, Peterborough

I like my tea black with no sugar made in the cup wit a teabag earl grey is also very nice like this
Steve Rider , Peterborough

You can't beat a Yorkshire tea bag in a big mug topped up with boiling (and it must be boiling) water. Leave for a few minutes and put in milk, stir and enjoy!
Judi Shambrook, Milton, Cambridge

Always a (warmed) tea pot, always boil the kettle twice, always tea leaves, always a fine bone china cup and always always in bed.
Mrs Tet Lea, St Neot's

PG Tips is my favourite. In A teapot. Only way to make a good cup of tea. 5 minute brew, milk in the cup first.
Joan, Richmond, VA. USA

The best cup of tea i ever had was in a cafe in the east end of london. They had a big pot of steamed water and tea leaves ( and i never seen the pot being topped up with anything other than water) they used to half fill a mug ( in a real mug not a plastic cup ) and the top it up with more water and some milk. It just tasted great!!
Louise, Cambourne, Cambridge

Tetley's makes the best cup preferably made in a pot.
Rita Mc Intosh, Calgary, Canada

Let it brew for at least 5 minutes, sometimes longer, add a little milk, sit back, and just relax.
B Embry, Evansville, IN, expat

My Dad makes the best cup of tea. He uses tea leaves in a pot, let's it stew, pours then adds milk and sugar.
Chris, Cambourne, Cambs

Frankly, as long as it's hot, and wet, and someone else made it for me, I'm not that bothered!
Busy BBC employee, Cambridge

Makes you think, doesn't it? How bored must that Mr Orwell have been to write an entire essay on making a flippin' cup of tea? Hardly rocket science, is it?
Helen, Cambridge

You can't beat a nice Earl Grey!
Mrs Posh T Lover, Huntingdon

I love tea from a pot. Why does it taste better?
Mr T Bag, Wisbech

More tea wisdom from George Orwell:

Orwell's essay was a reaction to a lack of guidance on tea-brewing in cook boos. "This is curious," he wrote in London's Evening Standard, "not only because tea is one of the mainstays of civilisation in this country.., but because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent disputes."

Orwell said tea should be drunk strong, without sugar and from a cup with a round bottom. The tea should be poured before adding milk, he insisted, entering a debate that has caused acute controversy within the tea-etiquette world.

Another Orwell essay written in the aftermath of the World War Two sharply criticised chemists and other scientists, whom he blamed for contributing to the war.

Society Media Manager Brian Emsley hopes the project will draw attention to the important role chemists play in food, drink and public hygiene. "It's some theory, some fun," he said. The chemists will consult specialists and members of the public before publishing their ideal technique at a reception on Wigan pier on Orwell's birthday in June.