BREWING RIVALRY: COSTA COFFEE VS. TRADITIONAL ENGLISH TEA ROOMS

Costa Coffee and traditional English tea rooms represent two distinct yet integral facets of English beverage culture.

Costa Coffee, as a prominent chain, reflects the modern, fast-paced lifestyle with its emphasis on espresso-based drinks and convenience, offering a wide range of coffees tailored to contemporary tastes. In contrast, an English tea room embodies a more leisurely experience steeped in tradition, sometimes featuring loose-leaf teas served alongside scones and pastries in an intimate setting characterised by period decor and personalised service.

The tea room prioritises cultural heritage and the ritual of tea drinking, fostering social interactions and relaxation over mere consumption. While Costa focuses on efficiency and ensuring accessibility to quality coffee across varied locations, English tea rooms cultivate community ties through curated atmospheres that celebrate English customs. This juxtaposition highlights the evolving dynamics of consumer preferences between fast-casual environments and establishments that honour age-old practices.

Although I visit a Costa Coffee outlet approximately three times per week, my decision is primarily based on convenience. This may be because I either shop at a Tesco store with a Costa Coffee located upstairs or I am near a Costa Coffee outlet after my regular local swimming.

Despite my fondness for flavoured milk (medium latte, single shot, whole milk, and extra hot), I genuinely prefer an English Tea Room to Costa Coffee.

I don't drink 'coffee' outside of a Costa Coffee outlet.