Tea is an infusion of dried leaves in boiled water, ape descendants such as Arthur Dent enjoyed this beverage. However, computers such as the drinks machine aboard the Heart of Gold did not know why Arthur Dent wanted (or enjoyed) a cup of tea. The reason Arthur Dent gave for liking tea was "it makes me happy".

It took some time for Arthur Dent to be able to enjoy a cup of tea; following the destruction of the Earth, it a very long time till he could have a genuine cup of tea, it was only due to the plural zone status of the Earth that he was able to enjoy a real cup of tea in his house.