I like tea. This is not a quirk I put on a profile for effect. I like it a lot, and I drink a lot of it, and I have stopped apologising for the quantity.
What I like about it
Tea is a good drink for anyone whose work is mostly sitting still and thinking, and I think it earns that reputation for reasons that have little to do with caffeine.
It has a built-in pause. You cannot rush a cup of tea. Water has to heat and leaves have to steep. Those few minutes are small enough not to feel wasteful and long enough to let a stuck problem loosen. A lot of my better ideas have not arrived at the keyboard.
It is a task that is done when it is done. Most of the things I work on do not have clean endings. A cup of tea does. You make it, you drink it, and the cup is empty. That small finished loop is oddly satisfying when everything else is still in progress.
It is endlessly variable. Strong or light, with milk or without, spiced or plain. There is always a new version to try, which suits someone who likes trying new things.
It is easy to share. Offering someone tea is one of the simplest friendly gestures I know, and it requires no explanation.
The case against my own habit
Anything I drink in quantity deserves some honesty. Too much of it is too much, and I would be a poor advert for moderation. If I have been sitting for hours on tea alone, the sensible move is to stand up, drink some water and eat something. I know this. I am working on it.
A small design lesson
I find it interesting how much a good habit looks like good software. It is a short loop with a clear start and end. It is hard to do badly. It is pleasant enough that you keep doing it. If I could make my tools as comfortable as a cup of tea, I would be happy.
Now, if you will excuse me, the kettle is on.