Coffee is vile! Tea – Proof That Civilisation Still Exists

In a world where everyone’s rushing to start the day with a cup of glorified mud, I stand firm in my belief that tea is the hallmark of a civilised individual.

Whilst the hordes queue for overpriced lattes like drones, I savour the simplicity of my trusty brew. Want a peek into the zen garden of my mind? Here’s the door: https://linkly.link/2EZnM.

There I was, sat quietly in the corner of my favourite café, when the chap next to me requested something absurd like a “caramel macchiato with a shot of hazelnut syrup and extra foam”. It occurred to me then that we’ve reached the peak of coffee’s unreasonable ascent. I half expected him to ask for a sprinkle of unicorn dust on top. Meanwhile, my Earl Grey simply sat, dignified and classic.

In pondering our collective obsession with customisation, I realised it’s emblematic of our modern discontent. We layer exotic flavours into our brews as if newness might cure our old ennuis. But what’s wrong with simplicity? Tea, in its elegance, offers a lesson in appreciating things as they are.

Having seen 67 winters, I’ve learned a few things share their wisdom freely. Like tea—they don’t boast, jostle or demand novelty. Stoic philosophers would raise their mugs to its humble brilliance, recognising that sometimes, it’s not the grand gestures but the quiet constancy that brings contentment.

Does it not speak volumes that civilisations have thrived on this ancient brew? The British Empire, Japanese traditions, even the Boston Tea Party—our very history is steeped in it. Tea endures like a timeless yarn, weaving its way through the fabric of human history without need for reinvention.

I reckon we’d all do well to sip life with the same reverence. In retirement, I’ve found the pot and mug more my speed than the revolving door of trends. There’s something in its predictability that mirrors the wisdom of experience—a hushed reassurance that consistency isn’t the enemy of progress.

A lifetime of working hard doesn’t mean we ought to surrender to complexity now in our golden years. Instead of chasing after each passing fad, we can lean on what’s proven—a warm cuppa, a sunny spot by the window, quiet moments of reflection. In these small certainties lies our peace, unblemished by the whims of an ever-changing world.

Next time you sip a hot brew, consider what you’re truly after. Is it the need to dazzle the senses with flavours untamed? Or a return to the simplicity that truly nurtures? May we find comfort in the ordinary, a truth well understood by a simple cup of tea.

I’m hoping you enjoyed this so pop the kettle on and subscribe to The Old Grey Thinker on Substack — musings, moans and the occasional moment of wisdom from a reluctant retiree: https://linkly.link/2EZnM