Not everyone needs a bold jolt of coffee to jumpstart their morning.
Some people prefer a slow, calming ritual that begins with boiling water and choosing the perfect blend of leaves.
Tea may seem simple, but if you’re in the “tea first” camp, your preference could reflect a deeper part of your personality.
I realized this when I started juggling the demands of single motherhood with my writing career — coffee felt too frenetic for me. I craved something that allowed me a short pause before the day’s chaos took over.
That’s when I noticed how tea gave me both comfort and focus.
Psychologists have explored how beverage choices can hint at core traits, and tea drinking often lines up with mindfulness, empathy, and a preference for gentle stimulation.
Below are 7 subtle yet meaningful characteristics that tea lovers tend to share, shaped by both research and personal observation.
1. They value a slower pace
Tea rituals often require a bit of patience — waiting for the kettle to whistle, measuring out leaves, then letting them steep for just the right amount of time.
Compared to coffee’s quick brew or grab-and-go culture, tea culture encourages intentional pauses.
Many tea drinkers find that deliberate slow-down soothing, especially in a world that pushes us to move faster.
According to Good News Network, tea drinkers are more likely to be extroverted, adventurous night-owls, while coffee fans are more often punctual, “messy,” dog-loving introverts
I’ve seen this in my own life: when deadlines pile up and my nerves feel frazzled, making tea becomes my personal timeout.
It’s not about laziness — it’s related to carving out moments to breathe.
Sitting with a warm cup steadies my thoughts, reminding me that small rituals can hold significant power for emotional well-being.
2. They’re detail-oriented
If you’ve ever noticed how specific tea lovers can get about water temperature or steeping times, you’ve seen their penchant for detail.
Different teas — green, black, oolong, herbal — demand distinct brewing methods to release their best flavors.
That nuance is part of the appeal for those who pick tea over coffee. I once spent ages perfecting my jasmine green tea routine, adjusting everything from water temperature to the steep duration.
A 2025 study in the journal Appetite even found that individuals who engage deeply with sensory details around food and drink tend to excel at tasks requiring focus.
This meticulous nature often extends beyond the teacup.
Whether it’s proofreading a document or reorganizing a pantry, tea enthusiasts don’t mind taking an extra minute to get things right.
Their attention to detail isn’t nitpicking; it’s a quiet respect for the process and outcome alike.
3. They’re mindful of well-being
Tea has long been associated with health benefits — think antioxidants, calming properties, and potential stress relief.
While not every tea lover is on a strict wellness regimen, many do see their tea breaks as a micro self-care session.
I learned to appreciate this mindset when I started blending chamomile at night, hoping to calm my racing mind after a busy day of juggling work and parenthood.
Studies have shown that regular tea consumption can contribute to improved mood and, in some cases, reduced anxiety.
Tea drinkers might not be zealots about health, but they often prefer gentler solutions over intense ones.
Choosing a soothing cup of herbal tea over a high-caffeine energy drink can reflect an inclination to nourish both body and mind — without overstimulating either.
4. They prefer gentle stimulation
While coffee often provides a direct jolt, tea tends to offer a gradual lift in energy.
That lower caffeine content can be a plus for individuals who want alertness without the peaks and crashes.
From my own experience, coffee sometimes made my heart race, leaving me jittery and anxious.
Tea, by contrast, gave me a balanced sense of wakefulness — perfect for planning my day’s writing schedule or preparing my son’s breakfast.
In general, many tea drinkers cite smoother energy as their main reason for choosing tea over coffee. This preference can reveal a deeper pattern: they seek consistency rather than rollercoaster highs.
They might appreciate a paced approach to projects, relationships, and personal growth, rather than massive bursts of intensity followed by inevitable burnout.
5. They enjoy ritual and tradition
From Japanese tea ceremonies to British afternoon tea, various cultures have shaped entire traditions around this beverage.
Even in our everyday lives, the ritual of making tea can feel ceremonial: selecting a teapot, measuring leaves, waiting for the steeping magic to happen.
I have a favorite mug — chipped at the handle, but I still reach for it every morning.
That small tradition provides a comforting anchor, a reminder that even amid life’s unpredictability, some routines remain stable.
Psychologically, rituals can reduce anxiety and foster a sense of control.
So, tea enthusiasts might be drawn to these small anchors, finding solace in repeated actions that ground them. They’re less likely to skip steps, relishing the step-by-step process instead.
6. They lean toward empathy and listening
A quiet moment with a cup of tea often opens the door for reflection, whether it’s personal thoughts or someone else’s story.
Many tea lovers I know seem to be attentive listeners, pausing between sips to hear others out fully.
Some cultural traditions treat tea as a communal experience — think sharing a pot and talking about life.
That ethos promotes deeper conversation and a slower exchange of ideas.
In my own circles, I’ve noticed that friends who prefer tea tend to ask more follow-up questions and genuinely engage in discussions.
They savor the dialogue, not just the beverage.
While not a strict rule, it shows how gentle rituals can coincide with a more reflective, understanding approach to human interaction.
7. They’re open to exploration—on their own terms
Tea isn’t just black or green; there’s oolong, white, pu-erh, and countless herbal blends.
This variety means tea drinkers can try new flavors without straying too far from their comfort zone.
I spent a year sampling different teas from around the world — some earthy, some floral, some fruity. It became a way to feed my curiosity without overwhelming myself.
Psychologists often link curiosity to creativity and adaptability, but tea lovers tend to channel that curiosity in a gentle, controlled manner.
They don’t charge forward recklessly — they sample new experiences slowly, making sure each one resonates.
In essence, their exploration is measured.
They might jump at the chance to try a new tea subscription or sign up for a tasting workshop, yet they’ll do it in a way that feels balanced, not impulsive.
Bridging note
These seven traits don’t mean every tea drinker embodies a serene, hyper-organized persona.
Like any preference, tea habits exist on a spectrum, and personality is far more complex than beverage choices alone.
Yet it’s fascinating how something as seemingly small as a drink order can point to broader patterns.
If you see yourself in any of these descriptions, valuing rituals, leaning toward empathy, relishing a slower pace, you might find a sense of validation.
I know I did.
Recognizing that tea aligns with certain deeper traits helped me embrace those qualities with more confidence, instead of feeling odd for not craving coffee’s punch.
Sometimes, the simplest routines illuminate our most authentic inclinations. — one warm, soothing sip at a time.
