Coffee or Tea

The entry title is a short for of "Coffee, Tea, or Milk?" Back in the day when stewardesses served beverages on flights, those were the three options. These days I drink coffee to start the day and I fill a THERMOS of hot black tea to get me through the day. So I down about 8 cups of caffeine a day. It keeps me awake (for the most part) and it fulfills the nutritional requirement of staying hydrated with clear liquids. Although, some would argue that caffeinated drinks are not part of that equation.
Sometimes I wonder about the other options. Not long ago, I sadly learned that Israel doesn't drink hot black tea as the Arabs do. Except for coffee, their tea choice seems to be infused herbals. And some of their choices are downright nasty. Sage? Lemon verbena? Rooibus? This isn't even tea? Why not just pour boiling water over Kümmel and dill and let it sit for 5 minutes and call it tea? Gross! GROTESK!
No! I like my tea black and free of lemon, cream, sugar, honey, or the like. Now I DO, however, like flavors. Which means the tea could be a malt or have flowers, fruit, or some smoke in it. In fact, the only time I do drink tea with sugar and cream is when I am having Indian food and ask for chai.
Chai! Stories on that for sure. The ginger has to be fresh and freshly grated. And the chai must be hot. And the drinker should have to add the sugar. Chai from a THERMOS that's been sitting for hours is not an attractive offering.
And for coffee. That I do add a little non-fat milk to. I like it hot (except in the summer when I will drink ice coffee). Ice coffee is also a treat at Thai restaurants (which I seldom frequent).
Well, that's my reveal for the day. I've packed my lunch for the day which (besides a THERMOS of hot black tea) includes 1/2 cup of home made tabouli, 1/4 cup white rice, 50g of Buckeye beans, and 2 cups of a homemade blend of turkey stock and bean stock broth. Yes, it's diet time. I'm pretty sure there is some diced, cool cucumber that's been added in for a vegetable on the side. I may be dieting, but I think I eat a very well-balanced and healthy meal.