I was in Richmond in London today on a flying visit. Our son took us to a rather posh pub (which turned out be very nice and not too expensive as it happened) for a spot of lunch. I wanted a pot of tea with mine and I had a very jokey exchange with the waiter to the effect that I didn't want any of that fancy scented muck, just a pot of builder's. He laughed and assured me that they didn't do any of that pretentious stuff. But when it came it was disconcertingly fragrant, totally unlike a pyramid teabag job. I put up with it reluctantly, moaning and groaning to the assembled clan about this bloody soft southern slop, etc. But then I noticed a little tab on the teabag string that gave the origin of the tea as Birchall's Virunga tea from Rwanda, and that buying the tea triggers a contribution to the conservation of mountain gorillas. Jayz, I felt guilty!

As for coffee, the grinding is built into our coffee machine. You're right, a separate grinder is a pain and a deterrent. The built-in machine grinder is noisy, but not as much so, and it's a matter of 20 seconds only. Lately we've taken to having a macchiato every morning, just a stain of milky froth on top of the espresso. Keeps the calories down! I never put sugar in my coffee. I find it totally unpalatable. I will have choccy powder sprinkled on if I go to a coffee shop but we never do that at home.