tea
Tea is the artful ritual of drowning dried leaves in hot water to chase away the mundanity of everyday life. It promises noble aromas yet delivers little more than caffeine and sugar-induced delusion. Lauded for sharpening the mind at meetings, in truth it functions as a ceremonial placebo. Carried into bathtubs or studies, it doubles as a prop for self-styling. Despite centuries of heritage, it now risks obsolescence at the mercy of disposable tea bags.