<h1>Is Coffee Truly the New National Drink of Britons?</h1>
<p>”Tea has my heart,” Liz Coleman explained as she relaxed in a chair under the opulent gold-painted ceilings of the Grand Café in Oxford, England. “But I can’t live without coffee.”</p>
<p>Ms. Coleman, a 31-year-old British woman of Persian descent, indulged in an almond milk latte during a break from a nearby conference. While tea plays a significant role in her home life, she always chooses coffee when she’s out and about.</p>
<p>Tea has deep roots in Britain’s cultural fabric, arriving in the 1650s after Dutch traders brought it to Europe from China. With centuries of tradition behind it, tea became the nation’s favorite hot drink. However, coffee has emerged as a rival in recent years, and a recent survey even claimed that it had dethroned tea as the top choice. This led to a statistical battle as both industries sought to defend their beverages’ supremacy.</p>
<p>So, is coffee truly the new national drink of Britons?</p>
<p>In Oxford, where some of Britain’s earliest coffeehouses were established and where a specialty coffee scene has blossomed, the answer is complicated. Ham Raz, owner of the Grand Café, revealed that while tourists often opt for loose-leaf tea with their sandwiches and cakes, British customers typically choose coffee. He noted that this shift in behavior reflects a changing attitude among the British population, who are now more willing to take risks.</p>
<p>The rise of coffee in Britain can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when mass-market coffee chains like Costa Coffee and Starbucks sparked a national espresso obsession. However, it’s the newer coffeehouses in Oxford, driven by patrons’ preference for high-quality artisan coffee, that highlight the beverage’s increasing importance in Britons’ daily lives and spending habits. At the Missing Bean café, Liz Fraser savored a double-shot cortado while jotting down notes in her notebook.</p>
<p>Despite the coffee boom, 80% of households in Britain still purchase instant coffee for home consumption, especially among individuals aged 65 and older. However, ground coffee and coffee pods are growing in popularity, particularly among younger generations. On average, the country consumes 98 million cups of coffee per day.</p>
<p>Since its inception in 2009, the Missing Bean has expanded to include five cafes, a roastery, a bakery, and an online shop that caters to customers across Britain. Baristas at the café put time, care, and attention into crafting each drink, even incorporating intricate latte art. As co-founder Ori Halup explains, this attention to detail and the use of specialized equipment create a sense of magic that customers can’t replicate at home.</p>
<p>However, it’s clear that tea still holds a prominent place in the national psyche. While coffee may be growing in popularity, it’s unlikely that it has completely replaced tea. As Ori Halup states, tea is still consumed by the British population, albeit in a different manner. Drinking tea at home is often seen as a more cost-effective option compared to purchasing a coffee from a café.</p>
<p>Many skeptics question the reports claiming that coffee has overtaken tea in Britain. According to a recent study by Statista, 63% of respondents claimed to regularly drink coffee, while only 59% chose tea. However, Sharon Hall, the CEO of the U.K. Tea & Infusions Association, counters these claims, stating that Britons consume over 100 million cups of tea each day, surpassing the estimated total for coffee.</p>
<p>Another statistic supporting coffee’s position is the higher sales of coffee compared to tea in British supermarkets. However, these figures can be disputed given the discrepancies in serving sizes and pricing. Despite the ongoing debate, Jane Pettigrew, a director at the U.K. Tea Academy, remains confident in tea’s enduring popularity. She highlights the recent resurgence of high-quality loose-leaf teas and the rise of tea shops promoting ethical production and eco-conscious sourcing.</p>
<p>At Cardews of Oxford, known as the oldest supplier of fresh roasted coffees and fine teas in Oxford, staff members have noticed an increasing demand for coffee. However, tourists often seek a quintessentially British experience and inquire about English teas. Although most teas aren’t grown in England, the shop offers English blends to cater to these visitors’ expectations.</p>
<p>While there may be a generational divide in tea and coffee preferences, the ritual of making tea is still widely enjoyed across all age groups. Customers often value the quick pick-me-up that coffee provides, whereas tea connoisseurs appreciate the connection and cultural significance associated with the beverage.</p>
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