[Avodah] Concern of bishul akum with coffee

[Zev Sero]

>  > However, Rav Sternbuch (Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:250) writes that tea
>  > leaves are not the same as spices that are discarded. Ordinarily,
>  > a spice is added to add flavor to another food. Since it is not
>  > the main ingredient and it is discarded, it lacks importance, and
>  > Teruma and Ma'aser are not required. On the other hand, tea leaves
>  > are more than a flavoring agent. The leaves are the essential
>  > ingredients in tea. Because the tea leaves are significant, Teruma
>  > and Ma'aser should be separated.

In that case why isn't tea ha'adamah, just like vegetable soup?  The 
reason given is because there is no substance of the leaves in the tea, 
unlike soup where the vegetables are left in it and are consumed with 
it, and thus constitute the ikar.  But according to this that shouldn't 
matter.


-- 
Zev Sero            Wishing everyone a *healthy* and happy 5781
zev at sero.name       "May this year and its curses end
                      May a new year and its blessings begin"