Use drinking coffee as an example to emphasise that with a “simple” action the surrounding ritual and beliefs can be as important as the action - indeed, can give the action meaning. So it’s not just that Sufis drink coffee, it’s the whole five senses ritual of preparation and savouring that create the total experience. Judaism is also full of experiences that are gastronomic and spiritual at the same time - Shabbat and Pesach (passover), for example.

ALL KS

What are “mystics” - people who are said to experience the deepest reality or mystery of God or Life? The mystic claims to experience God profoundly in the ordinary. Understanding this can link into reaching National RE Framework Level 4 for AT1, where “pupils use a developing religious vocabulary to describe and show understanding of sources, practices, beliefs, ideas, feelings and experiences”. Even a newly-opened jar of instant coffee smells good. If we enjoy contemplating that, it might go some way towards understanding the mystic way.

Coffee and the fair trading issues it raises can provide examples for ethical issues.