Expressing "tea is not just a drink"

Question

I encountered a misunderstanding today due to my poor Chinese language skill. What could I have done better?

I was standing in a German hospital and a native Chinese asked me if I wanted tea or coffee - both being offered by a third party, namely the hospital nurse, coming with a tray. I opted for coffee. She expressed the assumption that I didn't like drinking tea, so I felt forced to clarify what politeness would otherwise have kept me from saying. Tea (mostly Chinese tea) is very important for my family and I delight in its preparation. I wanted to make clear that I can drink mediocre coffee but not mediocre tea. I used Chinese, to avoid the hospital people understanding the criticism of the tea. I said

我不喝這種茶（就是用茶包泡的茶）。對我來說茶不只是一個飲品而已，就是一個生活方式。

But she understood the exact opposite of what I meant. Only after saying:

我習慣了喝不怎麼樣的咖啡，就不能習慣喝不怎麼樣的茶

did I manage to convey my message. What were my mistakes?

Answer 1

I think your Chinese counterpart got confused because you mentioned the importance of drinking tea as part of your lifestyle, yet refusing the tea she offered. Your subsequent clarification on your preference to drink mediocre coffee rather than mediocre tea helps clear the air.

You could have expressed it unambiguously in this manner:

我对喝茶比较讲究，咖啡就好。
I am more particular with my tea; coffee will do.

To further elaborate, then you say:

茶不只是一种饮品，对我而言，是一种生活方式。