I gave up coffee a couple of years ago. I thought it would be difficult, and there was definitely some caffeine withdrawal during the first few days. But mostly, I was surprised by how little I missed it. There’s something alluring about the idea of coffee. Your hands curved around a warm mug, that rich, deep aroma, that bitter edge of flavor balanced by a variety of fruity and nutty elements, and in my case, the richness of milk. It’s the idea of coffee that I miss. There have been occasions when I ordered a latte or a French press just to see if I could recapture the magic, but I have no desire to drink it. The first sip is always a letdown, and I end up pushing the cup away without another. It’s a little sad, because for many years coffee was a big part of my diet. I drank it every day, sometimes several times a day, and it was, by turns, comforting and energizing, indulgent and everyday. It served different purposes at different times, and it was a drink I could always rely on.
Now I’ve taken to drinking herbal teas. This was a long, rocky road. Tea making is often fiddly and precise. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I prefer bags. It felt like copping out, but I just don’t have the dedication required for steeping and cleaning pots. Especially since the difference in the drinking experience did not live up to the added effort required. Then I had to find the right tea. I dabbled with several different brands before finally settling on Pukka teas. They are not inexpensive, although I find that if I buy them in bulk online, I can save a significant amount of money. They are flavorful and indulgent, and I can tailor my choices to the time of day, as I once did with my coffees. In fact, compared with my old coffee habit, Pukka teas are a bargain. Happily, they taste just as good cold or at room temperature, after I’ve gotten distracted and forgotten about my cup. It’s been a pleasure to find another drink that I can rely on, and I thought I would share, so that anyone else looking for a good cup of tea can benefit from my experience.
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