Tea Drinker Discrimination

I'm a hot tea drinker. I don't drink coffee and unlike many of my fellow coffee abstainer friends, I don't even like the smell. For some reason the fact that I don't like the smell seems to shock people more than the fact that I don't drink it. I'm not a snob, I'm just as addicted to my hot tea as coffee drinkers are to their brew. A morning without hot tea becomes a day with a major headache. Caffeine is addictive no matter how you swill it.

I'm a minimum two huge cups a morning type. I measured my cup recently, it holds two cups of fluid thus I'm getting four cups a day minimum of tea and caffeine.

My tea of choice is PG Tips, a British tea that is very strong. Pam, who's from Great Britain, at the Broadway Diner in Fayetteville turned me onto the tea. I thought initially I'd have to just stop in there to get a cup or two or ten, but turns out you can buy it at Kroger, at least you can buy it at "my" Kroger on the south end of Fayetteville, Hwy. 85. There are 40 bags to a box, it usually runs around $4 - $4.50 for a box. Not a bad price at all for a good cup of tea.

By now you're possibly wondering why I titled this blog "Tea Drinker Discrimination". If you're not, you should be given all the rambling prior to that statement...

One of my pet peeves is restaurants who give unlimited coffee (they pretty much all do) for one price but charge me for each and every cup of tea I drink. They charge the same for coffee as they do for tea usually, yet some, a few, restaurants charge me $2.25 or $1.75 or whatever for each and every cup of tea. I was actually told the other day at one Peachtree City restaurant that no, they didn't charge per cup. If I used the same tea bag over and over they would allow me to have three cups of hot water to go along with the one measly tea bag they were willing to allow me to have. Yep, I could re-use that puny thing they called a tea bag three times. I drink my tea with cream or milk -- reusing a tea bag that's been soaked with sweetener and milk isn't pretty, nor does it taste like anything other than weird water.

Once I discover a restaurant discriminates against tea drinkers I mark them off my list. I never return. I used to politely, nicely, try to let them know why but after a few blase responses (ala, we don't give a flying flip, there aren't enough of you tea drinkers to make a difference) I quit telling them why. I just don't go back.

There are two restaurants that I've marked off my list in Fayette County. One in Peachtree City and one in Fayetteville. I'm not naming names as they're fairly popular with my friends and I like the owner of the one in Peachtree City, would very much like her to succeed. I doubt my aggravation about her tea discrimination would hurt her business anyway. Now I think I may have hurt the business of the one in Fayetteville because they were positively snotty when I raised my eyebrow about being charged. I canceled my dessert order and left the restaurant they were so snippy about it. Since then I have taken enough business from them that I've cost them much more than it would have to just give refills on 10-15 cent cups of hot tea...

Think about it. How many people drink tea like I do? I may have two cups after dinner, maybe three if it's cold outside. It's going to cost them maybe 50 cents for those three cups of tea if I'm drinking the better selection. I'm going to buy dessert. I'm going to be a happy customer. I'm going to come back if the food was good and the service at least decent.

Given the small percentage of people who drink tea and the even smaller percentage who drink multiple cups, what's the big deal about free refills? The vast majority of restaurants don't charge for tea refills, from the nicest upscale places to the lowest end dive. Why do some restaurants try to grab a nickel on tea? What's the cost of a lost customer? What's the cost of having someone pull business meetings to other restaurants? I like to enjoy my meal. I don't enjoy some meals without my after meal, sometimes during meal, hot tea. And no, I don't always drink hot tea with a meal when I'm out. It's a mood thing, and sometimes a weather or time of day thing. I rarely have hot tea with lunch unless it's really cold.

I know all you coffee drinkers and caffeine abstainers are rolling your eyes at the idea of someone walking out of a restaurant, never to return, over being charged for a second cup of tea. It's the principle of the thing. It's part of the enjoyment of my meal. I pay pretty hefty prices for the privilege of eating at many restaurants. I don't mind, I know they need to cover their costs and hopefully make a profit. Tea isn't going to make or break them. But it can cost them if they charge for refills.

So there.

Saving Bean Burn Out with Fresh Coffee

RJ Note: All the recent cold weather has me taking stock of my coffee supplies at home. I do have to admit I do like my coffee done in a coffee press and saving my precious pennies is always an attractive idea. Right now, a fresh steaming cup of hot coffee sounds like a winner.

Former Big-Coffee Chain Patrons Saving Money Brewing at Home

/PRNewswire/ -- The economic and financial angst consumers are feeling has them ratcheting down spending, cutting back on luxuries such as the daily cup of premium coffee. In fact, 4 in 10 Americans who left a coffee shop without making a purchase did so because the coffee was too expensive.

But even as big-chain coffee houses are feeling the pinch, closing hundreds of stores, one Seattle-based coffee company is attracting new customers by providing luxury and quality ... affordably.

"People are discovering they can brew coffee at home that's higher in quality than most high-end coffee shops," says Chad Turnbull, co-president of Storyville Coffee Company. "Unless you're going to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere and the free Wi-Fi, you're better off making it yourself."

This can have a big impact on your wallet. Cutting out just one "Tall" latte each day and replacing it with a premium coffee you brew yourself and enjoy in your favorite mug can save you more than $1,200 a year.

Despite the economy, business is perking up at Storyville, which caters to the home market by shipping fresh-roasted beans directly to members of its "Private Reserve" program.

"This December was the best month we've had in the history of the company," Turnbull says.

But will customers really spring for coffee in the best and worst of times? Ask Yvonne, one of Storyville's customers in Tennessee.

"Things may be tough, but I will not be canceling my membership, until death," she declares. "My family loves Storyville. There's no way we'd go back to icky, burnt, bitter coffee ... never!"

It's the sort of reaction that Turnbull hears again and again. That's because unlike Storyville, most coffee on the market is over-roasted to add shelf life.

"We've actually had people come up to us and say, 'You've changed my life,' because all of a sudden, this concept of a coffee break becomes a moment that allows for space to be inspired, to remember what we're about."

So what are the keys to brewing up perfect coffee at home?

1. You've got to the buy the right beans. Storyville is unique in that it only offers one blend, Prologue, and its decaffeinated twin, Epilogue. "We're committed to one blend, so for us, it has to be flawless," Turnbull says.

2. Use a French press, as this allows for better extraction of the coffee's flavor.

3. Use bottled or filtered water. If you put tap water in, it's going to affect the taste.

4. Enjoy with others, and repeat as necessary.

Turnbull concludes, "Coffee is the drink that invites us to come together. It's an affordable, soul-enriching luxury."

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Just Hook Up the IV

Caffeine Survey Reveals Most, Least Caffeinated Cities

/PRNewswire/ -- The second annual HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey, commissioned by HealthSaver, a national emerging health care discount service, found that the most caffeinated city in the country is Tampa, followed by Seattle, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

The least caffeinated cities are Riverside/San Bernardino, followed closely by Atlanta, San Diego, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas. The survey considered numerous caffeine sources, including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers and caffeine pills.

Considering caffeinated coffee consumption alone, it was no surprise that Seattle ranked No. 1 nationwide for the second consecutive year.

The HealthSaver 2008 Caffeinated Cities Survey, released today, was conducted to determine the caffeine consumption habits and attitudes of consumers across the U.S., and to learn more about cultural views and health benefits of this morning pick-me-up, afternoon alert booster and late-night indulgence.

"With the advent of rich, high-end coffees, soaring popularity of energy drinks and national fascination with green tea, our HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey has brewed up some very interesting trends, findings and results," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of HealthSaver. "This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate about the health benefits of moderate caffeine consumption in the United States."

The health benefits of caffeine are plentiful and well-documented in numerous studies in recent years. Coffee and tea, in particular, have emerged as good health food sources that can lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, colon cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as lift your mood, treat headaches and even lower risk of cavities. Caffeine also enhances athleticism, endurance and performance, according to health care experts.

"Even though at one time coffee was considered harmful to your health, at this point there is no compelling research to indicate that, in fact, is true," said Dr. Peter R. Martin, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and the Director of the Institute of Coffee Studies, Vanderbilt School of Medicine. "Newer studies actually prove coffee in moderation is good for one's health."

Here's the buzz on the most and least wired cities:
Most Caffeinated Cities

2008 2007
1. Tampa 1. Chicago
2. Seattle 2. Tampa
3. Chicago 3. Miami
4. New York 4. Phoenix
5. Los Angeles 5. Atlanta


Least Caffeinated Cities

2008 2007
1. Riverside/San Bernardino 1. San Francisco
2. Atlanta 2. Philadelphia
3. San Diego 3. New York
4. Minneapolis/St. Paul 4. Detroit
5. Dallas 5. Baltimore



Other cities surveyed in 2008 include Baltimore, Miami, Boston, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Philadelphia and St. Louis.

For the second year in a row, Seattle ranked No. 1 in coffee consumption, with 55 percent of residents surveyed saying this elixir of alertness would be the most difficult caffeine product to give up.

Nearly one-half (49 percent) of all respondents nationwide said they drink caffeinated coffee every day, while cola and tea tied with a 20 percent daily consumption rate. Sweets containing chocolate ranked fourth among caffeine products, with a 13 percent daily consumption, the survey found.

Some key survey findings:

Most Coffee Consumption
Regular coffee & specialty coffee drinks

2008 2007
1. Seattle 1. Seattle
2. Miami 2. Boston
3. San Francisco 3. Houston
4. Los Angeles 4. Chicago
5. Tampa 5. Miami


Least Coffee Consumption
Regular coffee & specialty coffee drinks

2008 2007
1. St. Louis 1. Dallas
2. Riverside/San Bernardino 2. New York
3. Houston 3. St. Louis
4. Phoenix 4. Atlanta
5. Detroit 5. Philadelphia


Most Cola Consumption
Regular Coke, regular Pepsi, Mountain Dew

2008 2007
1. Houston 1. Chicago
2. Minneapolis/St. Paul 2. Dallas
3. St. Louis 3. St. Louis
4. Chicago 4. Atlanta
5. Washington, D.C. 5. Tampa


Least Cola Consumption
Regular Coke, regular Pepsi, Mountain Dew

2008 2007
1. New York 1. Philadelphia
2. San Francisco 2. New York
3. Riverside/San Bernardino 3. Miami
4. Boston 4. Seattle
5. San Diego 5. San Francisco


Most Tea Consumption
Green tea, iced tea, black tea

2008 2007
1. New York 1. Miami
2. Tampa 2. Tampa
3. Baltimore 3. Washington, D.C.
4. Boston 4. Philadelphia
5. Atlanta 5. Atlanta


Least Tea Consumption
Green tea, iced tea, black tea

2008 2007
1. Minneapolis/St. Paul 1. Minneapolis/St. Paul
2. Miami 2. Detroit
3. San Francisco 3. San Francisco
4. Detroit 4. Seattle
5. Seattle 5. Boston


Most Chocolate Consumption
Candy, ice cream, cake, cookies

2008 2007
1. Seattle 1. Chicago
2. Phoenix 2. Atlanta
3. Chicago 3. Minneapolis/St. Paul
4. Detroit 4. Phoenix
5. Boston 5. St. Louis


Least Chocolate Consumption
Candy, ice cream, cake, cookies

2008 2007
1. Atlanta 1. Los Angeles
2. Dallas 2. Riverside/San Bernardino
3. Riverside/San Bernardino 3. Houston
4. San Diego 4. Miami
5. Philadelphia 5. Dallas


Most Energy Drink Consumption
Red Bull, Monster etc.

2008 2007
1. Atlanta 1. Riverside/San Bernardino
2. Riverside/San Bernardino 2. Los Angeles
3. Tampa 3. Chicago
4. Seattle 4. Miami
5. San Diego 5. New York


Least Energy Drink Consumption
Red Bull, Monster etc.

2008 2007
1. Dallas (tie) 1. Philadelphia
1. Baltimore (tie) 2. San Francisco/Oakland
3. Washington, D.C. 3. Houston
4. Detroit 4. Dallas/Ft. Worth
5. Philadelphia & St. Louis (tie) 5. Boston


Cities Most Likely To Say Caffeine Is Good For You

2008 2007
1. New York 1. Seattle
2. Miami 2. Chicago
3. Baltimore 3. Miami
4. Minneapolis/St. Paul 4. San Diego
5. Tampa 5. Boston


Cities Most Likely To Say Caffeine Is Bad For You

2008 2007
1. Detroit 1. Los Angeles
2. Phoenix 2. Riverside/San Bernardino
3. Riverside/San Bernardino 3. San Francisco
4. St. Louis 4. New York
5. Houston 5. Atlanta


Cities Most Addicted To Caffeine

2008 2007
1. Seattle 1. Boston
2. Philadelphia 2. Minneapolis/St. Paul
3. Phoenix 3. San Diego
4. St. Louis 4. Chicago
5. Los Angeles & Boston (tie) 5. Atlanta


Cities Least Addicted To Caffeine

2008 2007
1. Chicago 1. New York
2. Tampa 2. Philadelphia
3. San Francisco 3. Miami
4. Houston 4. Houston
5. Riverside/San Bernadino 5. Tampa



Consumers tipped their coffee cups on a variety of caffeine-related trends:

-- For the second straight year, nearly one-half of all respondents (42
percent) said coffee/specialty drinks would be the hardest to give up.
-- Men are much more likely than women (47 percent vs. 39 percent) to say
coffee would be the hardest to give up, similar to the first annual
survey.
-- Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) of all respondents said they are not
addicted to caffeine.
-- Among age groups, the older the consumer, the more likely they are to
say coffee would be the most difficult caffeinated product to give up,
a pattern similar to that found last year.

Other key findings of the study:
-- Women are more likely than men to say they are addicted to caffeine
(29 percent of women vs. 24 percent of men).
-- A majority (64 percent) said they consume about the same amount of
caffeine as they did a year ago.
-- More than one-fourth (28 percent) consume less caffeine now than they
did a year ago.
-- The younger the age group, the more likely they are to say they
consume more caffeine than a year ago.
-- Among respondents consuming less caffeine, 53 percent said it is
because they are seeking to improve their health; and nearly
one-fourth (24 percent) of those consuming less caffeine are doing so
because of a change of diet/currently on a diet plan.
-- More than one-fourth said they consume more caffeine than a year ago
because their everyday routine is more demanding. Another six percent
said it was because they have more access to caffeine, and 2 percent
said they consume more because of fatigue due to sleep problems.
-- Over one-half of respondents said they are way over their ideal weight
(12 percent) or over their ideal weight (54 percent). Only four
percent said they were under their ideal weight.

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