In my world, tea <em>always</em> comes in second to coffee. Always. A morning cup of tea? No thank-you. My mornings require coffee.

But here's the thing, I also love tea.

There are tons of studies on the health benefits of tea-- <a title="Tea &amp; Webmd" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits" target="_blank">even webmd is in on it</a>. I have not authored a new study on tea nor have I created a new<a title="11 benefits of green tea" href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html" target="_blank"> list of reasons why one should drink tea</a>.

Here's what I think: drink tea because you like it. Drink tea because it's hot and warms the body. Drink tea because of the way steam curls off the boiling water once you've poured it in a cup. Drink it because then you get to hear your tea kettle rattle on the stove and nothing else sounds like it when it starts to whistle. Drink tea because it makes you happy.

<a title="tea by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/12461971234/"><img alt="tea" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/12461971234_0c7bcbfe5d_z.jpg" width="100%" /></a>

Drink tea because there's a certain joy to wrapping your fingers around a almost-too-hot mug. Drink tea because tea partners perfectly with books and blankets. Drink tea because the Brits do (and everyone knows they are fancy and we should copy them). Drink tea before bed because it's a nice ritual.

Or maybe just drink tea because it makes you smile.

<a title="tea by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/12461633023/"><img alt="tea" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/12461633023_328c9f74af_z.jpg" width="100%" /></a>
Definitely<code> drink tea because it makes you smile. </code>