Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with a rich cultural and historical significance. Despite its popularity, the motivations behind tea consumption are complex and multifaceted, involving a range of Psychological, Social and Cultural factors. This study employs a novel approach, utilizing triangular fuzzy cognitive maps (TFCMs), to model and analyse the relationships between various factors influencing tea consumption. TFCMs are a type of fuzzy cognitive map that can effectively capture the uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in human decision- making processes. Our results reveal a complex network of causal relationships between factors such as stress relief, social bonding flavour preference, and health benefits, which collectively contribute to an individual’s decision to drink tea. The TFCM model is validated through a survey of tea consumers, demonstrating its ability to accurately predict tea consumption behaviour. This study provides new insights into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying tea consumption, with implications for the tea industry, public health initiatives, and marketing strategies. The use of TFCMs in this context highlights the potential of this methodology for modelling complex human behaviours and decision- making process in various domains.