Do You Like Exotic Teas and Drinks? What Opinion Have You of Them?  

I'm just guessing here, because I'm a bit out of touch but...the traditional ritual English afternoon cup of tea has faded since its golden age; however, I'm sure that in the upper echelons of society it is still observed by some. Some families refer to their dinner as "tea", and would probably have tea with a sizable meal, burger and chips or whatever. Some families or (courting?) couples might have afternoon tea for fun at the weekend for a special treat, and with something like scones, butter and jam, this "traditional English tea" being available in many coffee or tea houses, or small restaurants. In the UK coffee is immensely popular, and all the popular coffee chains do tremendous business. Traditional afternoon tea is very much available for those who wish it, but coffee has gone supernova in the UK! After work, the drink of choice would be alcoholic.

Isn't it ironic that we Yanks are drinking tea and you Brits are drinking coffee?I am sorry the tradition of tea is fading.Do you really have teas with a burger and French Fries?Wow.Would it be okay for me to have lemonade with a traditional tea?If I ever get to the U.K. I would have a tea but without tea.

Yes, it is, I mean that we Brits have gone coffee-crazy! We've always drunk it, but not like this! I've always drunk coffee for breakfast (tea for brekkie is rare as far as I'm aware, but I'm sure some fams like it), but we are drinking it all throughout the day now, and I don't mean instant coffee, which we've always drunk, but decent coffee, in the usual popular outlets, or for those who prefer it, continental cafes, Italian, French and the like. "Tea" as a meal has existed since time immemorial, although many families prefer to call their evening meal dinner, or in some cases supper, and would not drink tea with it but wine. Have you ever tried Earl Gray, flavoured with Bergamot, it's delicious with a little milk. Tastes nice with honey too...

Sure, not everyone drinks tea. I often drink coffee at trad tea time if I'm seeing friends, in fact, I almost never drink tea with friends, always coffee. My friends far prefer it too.

Wow. I am sorry it just tickles me. Forgive me but I have to my mind around you Brits enjoying coffee a little more than tea. You got to understand that I am seeing a mini series on John Adams and I just saw The Boston Tea Party.If George III only knew that Brits would be drinking coffee...

I never have tried Earl Gray. You are talking to a person who doesn't drink coffee or tea, or alcohol. Boring aren't I? I like soda.

Back in 1993, while recovering from a series of health crises related to years of hard living (and drinking), I embarked upon a diet consisting of no wheat, no sugar and no coffee/tea, which my brother recommended and financed (bless him) for the sake of my health. After some weeks of this (drinking only Red Bush tea), I relapsed and started drinking tea again, just gradually reintroducing it into my system...and found it made me high as a kite; man it felt great...and then as quickly as it came, it vanished...I was devastated. So, for a brief period, I was tea and coffee free.

I can't have too much caffeine or I become jittery. I guess that is why I never tried coffee. And I tried tea by accident.

Well, my one period of being caffeine free, succeeded by gradual re-introduction of the substance into my system showed me just how potent it is. Do you drink caffeine-free sodas?

Yes I do. Here in The States I can buy caffeine free Pepsi.That's what I have at home. When I go out , I have regular soda but I just don't have too much of it.

I never really took to Guarana; It seemed a a little like caffeine, a very mild stimulant effect, with too much making you nervy. I've not seriously tried Green tea but would like to. Valerian is also supposed to have a sedative effect.

Green tea didn't do much more me either...:o)

That's true, they are. Green tea especially has been praised in this regard.