Background information
In Zen mode: how a tea ceremony emptied our heads
by Darina Schweizer
Tea’s not boring – it’s rebellious
7/1/2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
Tea never stands a chance when put next to coffee. It’s wrongly dismissed as bland and boring. But, as someone who truly enjoys it, I know what tea’s capable of: a quiet rebellion.
Have you ever been offered tea before coffee? If you’re British, perhaps. I definitely haven’t. Is there a single type of tea in your office alongside a fully automatic machine, a portafilter and a capsule machine? I doubt it. Coffee is standard in this part of the world, in all its variations. Even if there are any, the options are limited – you can choose between a tasteless Lipton black tea or a dusty peppermint tea. This is then followed by someone saying: «Tea’s for when you’re ill.»
That’s when I have to stop myself from replying «Maybe that’s why there’s something wrong with you». Tea is much more than just soothing and good for digestion. It reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system – without increasing stomach acidity and overworking the body.
And that’s not even half of it.
Here are five reasons why tea isn’t a dull herbal water for the sick and tired, but a true miracle elixir.
1. A whole world of its own
Verbena, rose-hip... the few varieties that most restaurants have, don’t do the true range of teas justice. Fruit and herbal teas – as delicious as they are – aren’t even real teas, but tea-like products. The reason? They’re not made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis (links in German). Even with trendy teas like matcha, you still haven’t covered the whole tea spectrum. Have you ever tried yellow tea, kukicha, white tea or hojicha?
2. Anything but bland
I’ve heard it so many times «tea doesn’t taste of anything» – mostly from people who use tea bags and add sugar. And I’m not surprised – if you don’t look beyond your own tea cupboard and your flavours are limited, you won’t be impressed. A high-quality loose tea (i.e. not in a bag), such as a Pu-Erh Shu, infused with a few cooked fruits or refined with spices, really get your taste buds going.
3. Bottoms up!
In my circle of friends, coffee’s about as tolerable as Mentos mixed with Coca Cola. One friend gets palpitations, the other stomach pains. And in my case, coffee makes me nauseous for hours or even days. Yet, I don’t know anyone who can’t tolerate tea. Except perhaps for those who – like me in the past – down a whole jug of homemade masala chai every day. The problem’s in the amount. Variation between different types of tea is important (link in German).
4. No crashing
Tea wakes you up without making you hyper. Matcha, for example, gives you less of a sharp boost of energy than coffee, but works more evenly and for longer – up to six hours (page in German). It gives you a kick without straining your nerves and proves that performance has nothing to do with inner restlessness. True to the motto: «Slow but steady.»
5. Alert instead of rushed
What’s also slower is the preparation of tea. You grab a coffee, but you sip a tea. Anyone who makes you a cup of tea is signalling that they’ll take their time, pay attention to you and not rush from one appointment to the next.
If you look at it this way, tea’s not boring, it’s rebellious. In our fast-paced world, stepping out of turbo mode for a few minutes to prepare and enjoy a cup of tea sends a clear signal against endless acceleration and increased efficiency – and is an act of doing something good for yourself.
So, can I offer you a cup of tea?
Or would you prefer a coffee? Tell me in the comments what your favourite hot drink is.
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
Opinion
This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.
Show allThese articles might also interest you
21 comments
later