Virtually all airlines offer tea or coffee at some point during flight. Usually once the meal service has finished, it’s time for this to begin and the big silver pots of gloom arrive.
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 drink from these pots?
Not The Greatest Coffee Or Tea
I must confess that I have sampled the tea and coffee served 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.
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.
Overall Thoughts
When the coffee and tea pots go through the cabin there aren’t usually too many takers in my experience. When someone referred to these as the “big silver pot of gloom” I thought it very appropriate for the quality of the dreary drink dispensed.
With coffee culture being such a big deal in this day and age, surely the complimentary drink on a plane should be half decent. I have a feeling the cheapest and lowest common denominator product is being sourced, which is a bit of a shame.
Have you ever had a decent drink from these pots? Which airline has the best coffee or tea you have had on board a flight? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions please leave them below.
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I’ve always enjoyed the espresso on Iberia. It’s such a rare thing to find espresso on board and just so nice.
I haven’t flown Iberia yet, so I’ll make sure I try that when I do. You’d think it quite difficult to screw up espesso.
In general, I agree about the coffee and tea served. However, back in the 80s & 90s, I used to rather like the tea served … in all cabins when flying British Airways.
One would hope that BA would do tea well, out of all the airlines…! I haven’t tried their tea from the pot lately, must give it a whirl sometime.
A number of the asian carriers carry proper loose-leaf teas of many varieties in first and biz class. Served in glassware
Sounds delightful!! I don’t mind getting a Twinings Green Tea on British Airways. It tastes fine from the tea bag. It’s the big pots I’m suspicious of and find to be disappointing.
Funny. Some airlines serve Lavazza and it is usually good but I steer away from airline coffee as much as possible as I don’t trust the water quality in general. Same reason I wouldn’t drink from the lav sinks.
I think it’s generally accepted that the water quality on board is very good. The airlines have standards to adhere to, and many, many people drink the tea and coffee daily and never get sick, so from that perspective I have no problems at all. For me it’s generally just not particularly outstanding for the taste.