Prince Charles enjoying a brew.
One argument in its defence is that caffeine improves mental performance: a drink of tea or coffee can perk you up and help you focus on work.
Professor Peter Rogers of the University of Bristol disagrees. After years of studying caffeine he sees no evidence that it improves mental alertness.
"Workers would perform equally well if not consuming it at all," he says. "But if they're consuming it frequently and then go without, they'll feel tired and won't perform well."
Occupational psychologist Cary Cooper instead emphasises the role breaks play in coping with sedentary office life, and in building social relationships.
"We need to make people more active and see other people. The coffee break is one way of doing this," says Cooper.
And Professor Rogers also points out the soothing effect of a hot drink: "We warm our hands on them on a cold day, they're comforting and play a big role in our everyday life.
"Whatever the caffeine's doing, I'd say these 24 minutes aren't wasted."