I quit smoking six months ago, which obviously is all very good and worthwhile of me. It should have heralded a new era of me getting my taste buds back and being able to taste tea better. (I never mentioned that I was a smoker on here of course. I thought people might, quite justifiably, question my tea-tasting abilities.)
The problem was, I quit the cigarettes and got addicted to nicotine gum instead. Don’t get me wrong, nicotine gum is a better alternative in many ways. It’s a lot cheaper for one thing. Oh, and it doesn’t kill you or the people around you.
However, having a nicotine gum habit really, really buggered up my enjoyment of tea. Far more than smoking ever did.
I became reluctant to drink any tea I’d made because it would mean taking my gum out. Then I’d rush through drinking my cuppa without taking much notice of it so I could get to the bit where I could stick another bit of nicotine-infused nonsense into my mouth.
Worst of all, everything tasted a bit rubbish. Like mint and nicotine and nothingness. I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t chew gum during the time between making a cup of tea and drinking it and then going ahead and doing it anyway. If I hadn’t been afraid of choking, I’d’ve probably kept the gum in while drinking.
Well, no more. I had enough of nicotine gum taking all the pleasure out of tea. It’s the one habit that I’m perfectly happy to hang on to. I may have eschewed drugs and alcohol and cigarettes, but I’m keeping the Earl Grey.
Starting yesterday, I have given up nicotine gum for good. It’s not easy but I want tea to be fun again. Wish me luck!