Food & Culinary

What your tea preference says about your personality

Dan Kauna 21st May, 2026 09:38 AM

Today, May 21, 2026, is International Tea Day. For Kenya, tea isn’t just a massive economic powerhouse; it’s practically a personality trait.

Whether you’re grabbing a Ksh20 cup at a local kibanda or dropping Ksh300 at an upscale urban café, how you take your tea says a lot about who you are. It turns out that our morning routines do a lot more than just wake us up; they actually mirror our inner personalities and act as a fascinating window into how we handle life.

Warm comfort of chai ya maziwa

For most of us, a morning hasn’t officially started until we’ve cupped our hands around a steaming mug of chai ya maziwa (milk tea), sweetened with a generous three spoons of sugar. If this is your go-to, you are the warm, dependable heartbeat of your family or office.

A close-up photograph of a Kenyan woman’s hands cupping a warm, steaming cup of milky tea. PHOTO/Gemini

You value comfort, community, and the sweet joy of a steady routine.

For you, tea is a beautiful excuse to slow down and connect with the people you love. Science actually backs up tea’s emotional grounding abilities.

A 2018 study found that “tea consumption beneficially affects mood and attention, such as improving relaxation and concentration, reducing tiredness and psychological distress”.

You naturally use your sweet, milky brew as a comforting shield to keep the day’s chaos at bay.

Healthy discipline of green and purple tea lovers

On the other side of the kitchen counter, we find the wellness lovers who reach for green tea or our local Kenyan purple tea.

If this is you, chances are you’re the disciplined go-getter who is already up for an early morning workout while everyone else is still hitting snooze.

You easily swap instant, sugary gratification for long-term health, treating your morning cup like a functional wellness partner rather than a lazy treat.

A photograph of a young man holding a clear glass of green tea in a bright home office setting. PHOTO/Gemini

You care deeply about mental clarity and staying sharp all day long. This focus on future vitality is well-supported by medical research.

Scientists studying green tea drinkers concluded that “long-term tea consumption helps reduce BMI… and it can also reduce their risk of depression by lowering inflammation and improving sleep quality”.

Your choice shows you’re always looking ahead, taking care of your future self with every single sip.

The no-nonsense focus of ‘strungi’ lovers

Then, there is strungi – pure, strong black tea with a sharp squeeze of fresh lemon and absolutely zero sugar.

This bold brew belongs to the ultimate corporate fixer. You are the person who tackles challenges head-on, cuts through confusion, and genuinely despises sugar-coated conversations.

A photograph of a corporate professional holding a simple, dark mug of black tea with lemon. PHOTO/Gemini

You want raw facts and quick results, and you probably want them now.

Interestingly, your preference for that intense, unmasked bitterness is something psychologists have studied deeply. A study published in the journal Appetite discovered that “bitter taste preferences are positively associated with malevolent personality traits” like everyday sadism and psychopathy.

Now, don’t worry, this doesn’t mean your strungi-loving colleague is a secret villain.

It simply highlights your resilient, uncompromising nature and your ability to face tough situations without flinching.

No matter what is inside your mug on this International Tea Day, your favorite brew tells a beautiful story about how you conquer your world.