>I then look blank. I now know what an Americano is but I (peversely I admit) refuse to let on. Also none of these chains can make a decent cup of tea. Boiling water and a useless little teabag don't do it.

Starbucks can't make a decent cup of tea, no matter what mechanism they use. They get their tea from Tazo, which puts licorice root in almost every variety. So unless you want a cup of hot licorice, Tazo tea is useless.

Tamar