.jpg)
It is a bit of a plunge into dangerous waters to suggest that Seattle – Tacoma folks ditch their coffee in favor of tea. It brings into question loyalty to the Northwest. And what would happen to the economy if coffee slipped in popularity? Well, local baristas would learn to brew a perfect cup of tea and Peet’s Coffee and Tea would become the empire that Starbucks is. Before you toss this article out and grab your black water to prove your eternal loyalty, consider 10 reasons why tea is better than coffee, even if you do so in order to frame a rebuttal.
1. Tea is cheaper.
You will spend less for a cup of tea than you will for a latte or mocha. Drinking tea at home, a cup of decent loose-leaf will run you between 11 cents and 16 cents per cup. You can also re-steep loose leaf tea.
2. Tea is classier.
Yes, tea can be both classy and cheap. Emperors throughout history have selected special teas for their court or inspired tribute teas. England’s aristocracy has long taken afternoon tea.
3. Tea can be used in cooking to a greater degree than coffee.
Tea can be used as a marinade, tenderizer, and seasoning.
4. Tea is more like wine.
When considering tea pairing, it is better to think about wine versus coffee. Tea’s diversity and complexities make it a wonderful food pairing. Coffee has more food pairing limitations.
5. Tea has better caffeine dispersal, and less caffeine overall.
Coffee has 80 mg. of caffeine, while tea has between 15 and 40 mg. depending on the type. It also has a slower release of caffeine, so that you feel refreshed for longer versus the jolt and then the crash caused by coffee.
6. Tea is good for digestion and weight control.
7. Tea contains helpful antioxidants.
8. Tea inspires fine art.
9. Tea has a richer global history.
It is the most popular drink in the world (pure water excluded). Tea was discovered in China around 2737 B.C., whereas coffee was discovered in the 9th Century. Elaborate tea ceremonies and traditions have developed around tea.
10. Tea is linked to many forms of spirituality.
We shall see if the Tacoma Coffee Examiner will respond or remain silent, perhaps, taking a beverage writers’ high ground.
Discussion Update: The Starbucks Examiner has posted this challenge to her readers in response - which is better coffee or tea?
The L.A. Coffee Examiner has posted Coffee vs. tea, a rebuttal. Admittedly, it is well done with a creative slideshow.
Comments
Leave it to an anglophile elitist to try and change the minds of down to earth northwesterners by using classy and 'rich history' arguments.
Thank you for reminding us that English aristocrats 'take' their afternoon tea. I prefer to 'drink' my beverages, thank you very much, and I'll enjoy doing it in a large stainless steel mug rather than some dainty porcelain cup. By the way, I'll probably be wearing jeans and a flannel, and not some frilly petticoat, Snobby-McSnobberton.
As for cheaper and food-pairing limitations: If you have to pick out 50 different teas to have at home for any meal you might have on a given night, that's hardly more economical than having one kind of coffee that goes equally well (or poorly, since you seem hell-bent on being a pessimist) with every meal you might have.
Finally, at no point did you suggest that tea tastes better than coffee. Thank you for not lying to us. I'll take taste over sophistication any day.
Coffee cocktails taste better than tea-based cocktails. ;-)
Charb - Didn't need to state that tea tastes better. It's a given.
Robert - As for coffee or tea cocktails, I had a yerba mate infusion the other day that was spectacular (thanks 1022). I love green tea mojitos as well, so not sure I'm with ya on the coffee cocktail thing, but what would you expect...
Casie, Casie, Casie...have you ever participated in a coffee cupping? Cupping coffee from Ethiopia, Guatemala and Sumatra side by side is an amazing experience. And I would have to disagree with you on the food pairing comment. There are no limitations to pairing food with coffee if you know what you are doing.
Good luck trying to convince us though. :-)
Why I drink tea: coffee upsets my stomach, tea does not. To the commenter at the bottom of the list: you might want to cut back on the coffee. The caffeine jitters apparently make you irritable and unreasonable.
Regarding #3-I use a lot of both in my candy recipes, all with excellent results, but I do believe coffee outnumbers tea about 2-1. However, I found a great tea provider on ArtFire who makes all of her own blends, so I am trying to incorporate more tea.
Mon. update - Starbucks examiner has given her readers a challenge - which is better, coffee or tea? See link in this article. And stay tuned, we may have a response from a coffee examiner soon...
Helen - coffee upsets my stomach as well but luckily when this started happening, I already had developed a love for tea.
Tea is more misterious.
The LA Coffee Examiner has just posted her response....Coffee vs. tea, a rebuttal. All who are reading this should take a look. T-town tea drinkers, let her know what you think about her claims...
Well put Charb...Her point of view screams elitism.
Hey, thanks for the compliment, Casie. I had a good time making that slideshow. Some of my claims are pretty outrageous, I admit, but like I said, my mission is to uphold coffee's reputation by fair means or foul. LOL
These reasons are weak, like tea. Most of them either make coffee the winner, or have an equally beneficial affect (from a coffee drinker's POV). I think these reasons can be applied to both coffee and tea, as they are both worth exploring in their entirety.
Reason #11: Coffee production has a much larger environmental impact on the planet than tea.
All salient points, however, visit a coffee house and tell me how much of an experience, on a 'taste' level you can achieve. Most have maybe a half dozen 'origin' coffees and poor roasting practices can render all of them the same. The beauty of the Tea experience, in a Tea shop, is that you can visit literally 100s of flavours and nuance. A fair comparison would be if someone would open a coffee house with, say, 150 different coffees. Problem is, the oils can become rancid as they sit on the shelf waiting for the aficionado making it impossible. Any good roaster will tell you to buy small quantities and drink up. Tea, on the other hand, has a shelf life under fair storage conditions of 6 months or more. You can keep a drawer full of variety and complexity to suit every mood. Not to take a stab, but the best thing to happen to coffee is Bailey's. And yes, I own a tea shop and as for coffee drink only Ristrettos with great appreciation, just wish I had more choices of origin.
Thanks Tobin for your comments. I was once exposed to a large amount of rancid coffee. It stunk up the whole building as if something had died.
As for the elitist comment from James, what's the fun of being a tea writer if you can't be a little elitist, or a lot...
Interesting read, & I like both coffee & tea, but I have to say, Kim has you on the "used bag" point! All in good fun & writing.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!