[B1] Coffee vs. Tea Habits

Hi everyone! Welcome back to 5-Minute English Podcast! I’m Jessica, and today we’re diving into something that many of us enjoy every day — coffee and tea ☕🍵.

Have you ever wondered why some people just cannot start their day without a cup of coffee, while others prefer a quiet moment with tea? Today, we’re going to explore the differences between coffee and tea habits, practice daily English conversation, and learn useful vocabulary and expressions you can use to talk about drinks, routines, and personal preferences.

We’ll start by listening to a conversation between two friends meeting at a café, and then I’ll guide you on how to express your own preferences naturally in English. So grab a cup of your favorite drink, sit back, and let’s get started!

Lisa: Hey Peter! Long time no see. How’s everything going?

Peter: Hi Lisa! I’m good, thanks. Really busy, though. My week’s been packed with deadlines, meetings, and a few unexpected tasks. How about you?

Lisa: Pretty good. Work’s been busy for me too, but I’ve managed to squeeze in some exercise and even started reading a new book. You know, it’s not easy balancing everything, right? Oh, and hey — what are you thinking of getting today? Coffee or tea?

Peter: Hmm… I think I’ll go for coffee today. Honestly, I need that caffeine to survive this morning 😅. How about you?

Lisa: I’m leaning towards tea. Lately, I’ve been trying to cut down on caffeine, and tea feels more calming in the morning.

Peter: I get that. I tried switching to tea once, but I felt too sleepy at work. Coffee just gives me that immediate energy boost I need to start the day.

Lisa: Yeah, but don’t you sometimes feel jittery after too much coffee? I’ve noticed I can’t drink more than one cup before I feel a bit restless.

Peter: Oh, definitely! If I have more than two cups, I start shaking a little. But the taste is so good, I just can’t resist.

Lisa: Haha, I know exactly what you mean. I’ve started experimenting with different teas — green tea, herbal blends, even chai. Each has its own flavor and effect. Green tea energizes me gently, herbal tea calms me down. Sometimes I even make a cinnamon or ginger tea in the evening. It’s really cozy, especially when it’s cold outside.

Peter: That sounds nice. I usually stick to black coffee with milk. Sometimes sugar, sometimes not. But I haven’t really explored tea much. Maybe I should try it for a change.

Lisa: You definitely should! Even just one cup in the afternoon can be relaxing. And some teas are surprisingly flavorful. Have you ever tried matcha or rooibos tea?

Peter: Matcha? I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t tried it yet. Rooibos? What’s that?

Lisa: Rooibos is a South African herbal tea. It’s naturally sweet and caffeine-free. I like it in the evening when I want something warm but not stimulating. Matcha, on the other hand, has a strong flavor and is energizing but in a gentle way. It’s very different from coffee.

Peter: Interesting. I think I need to experiment more. I sometimes just stick to what I know — black coffee or a latte. But trying something new sounds fun. Maybe next weekend, I’ll visit a tea house and explore different blends.

Lisa: That’s a great idea! It’s really about finding a routine that works for you. I also like the ritual of preparing my tea — boiling water, steeping the leaves, smelling the aroma. Coffee feels more functional for me — I just need the energy, so I often skip the ritual.

Peter: Makes sense. For me, coffee is also about taste and enjoyment. I like trying new cafés and experimenting with flavors — caramel macchiato, vanilla latte, or even cold brew with a shot of syrup.

Lisa: Yes, the experience is different. Tea feels personal. I can adjust strength, temperature, and aroma. And some teas, like herbal blends, can even help with focus, relaxation, or digestion.

Peter: Sounds like everyone has their own habits. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon… or just whatever suits your lifestyle.

Lisa: Exactly! And maybe trying new drinks together could be fun next time. We could compare what energizes us versus what calms us down.

Peter: Absolutely! Let’s plan that.

Now, let me share my own thoughts about coffee and tea. Personally, I enjoy both, but it really depends on my mood and the time of day. Coffee is my go-to in the mornings. The aroma, the warmth, even the little ritual of brewing a cup — it all helps me wake up and focus. But coffee isn’t perfect. If I drink too much, I feel jittery, anxious, and sometimes it even keeps me awake at night.

Tea, on the other hand, is more gentle and relaxing. I usually drink tea in the afternoon or evening. It calms me down after a busy day and helps me slow down. Some teas, like green tea or herbal blends, are even good for your health. But tea isn’t as energizing as coffee, so it won’t give you that immediate wake-up effect.

Now it’s your turn to speak. Don’t worry about mistakes — the goal is to express your ideas clearly and naturally. Let’s practice some simple questions together.

Question 1: What do you usually drink in the morning? Use phrases like “I usually drink…” or “Most mornings, I have…” For example: “Most mornings, I have a cup of black coffee because it helps me wake up.” Pause and say it out loud.

Question 2: Do you prefer coffee or tea, and why? Use phrases like “I prefer… because…,” “I enjoy… more than…,” or “Sometimes I switch between coffee and tea depending on my mood.” Example: “I prefer green tea because it’s calming, but I enjoy coffee in the morning to feel energized.” Now, make your own sentence.

Question 3: Have you tried a new drink recently? How was it? Speak naturally using “I tried… for the first time,” “It tasted…,” or “I liked it because…” Example: “I tried a chai latte for the first time, and it was delicious. I liked it because it was sweet but not too strong.” Pause and say your own version.

Question 4: How does your drink choice affect your day? You can say: “When I drink coffee, I feel…,” or “Tea helps me…” For example: “When I drink coffee in the morning, I feel awake and focused. Tea in the afternoon helps me relax and stay calm.” Think about your own day and speak it out loud.

Question 5: Have you ever tried new flavors, blends, or cafés? You can describe your experience. Example: “Last weekend, I tried a new herbal tea at a café. It was calming and flavorful, and I really enjoyed the cozy atmosphere.”

Question 6: How do your friends or family influence your drink habits? Example: “My friends love coffee, so when we meet, I usually drink coffee too. But sometimes I try tea to balance it out.”

Take your time with each question, repeat your sentences, and try to make your answers sound natural, just like chatting with a friend at a café. You can also describe taste, aroma, temperature, or ritual — all these details make your conversation more engaging.

Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode! I hope you had fun learning about coffee and tea habits and picked up some useful phrases and vocabulary to talk about your own drink preferences in English.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment telling me: which do you prefer, coffee or tea? I’d love to hear your answer!

Keep practicing, enjoy your drinks, and I’ll see you in the next episode!