Most airlines feature a service where the big silver pot of gloom features prominently. Once meal service has finished, it’s time for the tea and coffee service to begin. Cabin crew scurry down the aisle to the refrain of “Tea? Coffee?” and alternatively pour the drink or pass on to the next row where the whole dance begins anew.
The question has to be asked – has anyone, in the history of aviation, ever received a decent cup of tea or coffee from these pots?
All Gloom, All The Time
I must confess that I have sampled from the pot of gloom on one or two occasions. Tired after a long flight from the Antipodes and needing a pick me up, I have answered in the affirmative when the pots are proffered.
Not once has the steamy liquid streaming from the spout been anything to write home about. In fact, I would be hard pressed to think of someone I dislike enough to serve this so called beverage to.
Why Is It So Bad?
Were you expecting me to answer this question? I am actually asking – why does on board tea and coffee from the pots of gloom taste so bad? It is always unbranded – possibly ersatz – coffee and tea that is served. No self respecting manufacturer would put their name to it.
It can’t possibly have anything to do with the altitude. Tea made with tea bags in the air tastes just fine. Some airlines offer proper coffee options in a pre-prepared cup where you just add hot water and voila – drinkable coffee.
Overall Thoughts
When the coffee and tea pots go through the cabin there aren’t usually many takers. When someone referred to the big silver pot of gloom I thought it very appropriate for the quality of the dreary drink dispensed.
Have you ever had decent coffee or tea from these pots? What is the best coffee or tea you have had on board a flight? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
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DL is Ok!!
Great to hear – must give them a try sometime. Appreciate the comment!
Um, what Tim said. The DL Starbucks is pretty good.
I have never flown with Delta, so I will have to be sure to try the coffee on board when I do! Thanks for the comment!
Many aircraft have an unclean water supply. I personally refuse to drink any “tap” water, even boiled from an aircraft service. Just my opinion or my fear of germs coming through.
Yes, some people agree with you and won’t touch any water poured on an aircraft. The tanks are clean and they have to pass certain standards, but some people still prefer not to take the risk. Totally understandable thinking of course. Thanks for the comment!
Southwest serves Community Coffee, which is one of my favorites. I think JetBlue is serving Dunkin’ now, and Alaska serves Starbucks. They’re definitely making a move away from the sad nameless coffee.
I think it makes sense to have branded coffee on board since there are so many various types of coffee around nowadays. Partnering with a brand makes sense plus the quality should be at a decent level. Thanks for the comment!
I mostly bring my own tea bags on board – quick note on the water temperature, it’s usually well below 195F so green tea works better than any other IMO. Conversely, if you’re flying in the front of the cabin, various airlines have really stepped up their coffee/tea game like Turkish Airlines.
I hadn’t thought of bringing my own on board, though that being said green tea is the only tea I drink when flying. I find it’s very good for counteracting alcohol. Turkish Airlines makes sense considering how important coffee is culturally there. Thanks for the comment!
Delta serves Starbucks. Not the best, but very tolerable. About par with gas station coffee. United serves Illy also not terrible. Maybe you haven’t tried some recently! Give it a whirl on your next flight!
Lots of votes for the Delta coffee in the comments on here, so it looks like everyone is in agreement there! Will definitely give it a try when I fly them sometime. Thanks for the comment!