My first coffee drinking experience left me wondering why anyone would drink this bitter and burned tasting stuff. I was fifteen and my first cup of coffee was given to me by my mother who cooked coffee on the gas range until it was quite dead. My brothers and I called it a secret weapon good for killing dandelions in our yard or debilitating an enemy.

I was in college before I tasted coffee again, and I couldn't believe the difference in the taste. It wasn't long before I added cream and sugar to this wonderful concoction and reveled in the warm smooth elixir that went down so well and gave me a jolt of energy. After a while, I learned that drinking it with cream was all satisfying and the sugar fell by the way side.

For many years I drank coffee without the slightest idea that all coffee was not created equal. It was when I discovered arabica beans that I became a coffee connoisseur, at least in my own mind. I've always preferred brewing my own coffee because one cup simply isn't enough in the morning and enjoying the wonderful aroma of coffee brewing is part of the coffee experience.

Today of course, the stove top percolator is long gone having lived out its usefulness. We can have that perfect cup of coffee within a few minutes using our Mr. coffees, Krups, or other brands of coffee makers. Fresh ground coffee is easy; just plug in your grinder before you start your brew. Oh the advances we've made since I had my first cup of secret weapon coffee!

I haven't progressed to roasting my own beans yet and probably never will, because the coffee drinking experience shouldn't be too much work especially early in the morning. The many blends available on the market let me experiment with different brands and tastes and that's enough for me. I don't have to sell the benefits of a great cup of coffee by knowing everything about it.

My favorite coffee for breakfast, lunch or dinner is Columbian coffee made from arabica beans. That slight wine-y taste and the full body of a dark rich coffee is immensely satisfying any time of the day. I've tried Starbucks and other top brands, but its my opinion that coffee drinking should not include standing in line or a marathon drinking experience while commuting.

Coffee is meant to be savored and enjoyed slowly while reading or relaxing after a tiresome event like work. Coffee isn't an afterthought for me, it's the main event.

I never told my mother what I thought of her coffee but I remember, and when I think of it I smile. Isn't it nice to remember our loved ones and how we shared conversations over a cup of coffee?

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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