I learned just this week that coffee plants were originally exported from Africa to countries all over the world, and that currently there are 70 different nations that cultivate coffee.  I never paid must attention to the kind of coffee beans used in the coffee I buy, but over the past couple years, I’ve learned about Arabica and Robusta beans. Now, I think I’ll take special notice of exactly what the can or bag says when I take it off the shelf for purchase.

One of the things that helped educate me was a series of “cozy mystery” novels that center around a fictional coffee house in Greenwich Village run by the main character Claire Cosi. The series, Coffeehouse Mystery, is the work of a husband and wife team who write under the pen name of Cleo Coyle. If you love a good mystery, and you enjoy coffee as well, it’s probably a series you’d enjoy spending time with.

But be sure that when you sit down with the book, you have a fresh cup of your favorite coffee right at hand. Reading just isn’t the same if you can’t pick up that lovely cup or trusty mug and take a sip now and then.

And don’t forget: You’re invited to share your “coffee thoughts” by way of prose, poetry, pictures, or graphics. Just post on your own blog and hop over here to give us your link in the comment window below. (And you can post any time this week. It doesn’t have to be Thursday.)

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