The evening coffee shops hold an expression of culture, artistry in coffee brewing, and provide a place for socializing. However, the far more important supply of java to many people is morning coffee. The body has been lacking caffeine all through the night, and before work or class, coffee is a ritualistic need to get the day started for many. From personal experience, I'm a major grump without my morning cup, and others can be much, much, worse.

So, who is everyone's morning saviour, and why? In a previous job, it was a clock work routine - get off the train, get a cup at Planet coffee, grab the elevator, and sit down at my desk. Why Planet coffee, when there was a Dunkin Donuts and a Starbucks close by? Why do people actually *drink* coffee at McDonalds? The questions can cause nightmares....

It's partially a study of human nature as it relates to coffee. I know many people who will go out of their way just to get a cup of cappuccino at a favorite cafe. But who goes more that 50 feet out of their way in the morning? Are most just not morning people?

I've come to believe that it is a strong psychological, and sometimes physical, need for the caffine, tightly coupled with a dependence on convenience. People will suffer with tastebud torture only to save 5 minutes. It's truly amazing. Not quite believing that so many people could succumb to such dependancy and laziness, I've reflected inward, and after a few sips of coffee, thought of all my "grab a cup and run" experiences.

I've tried the coffee at a number of popular morning spots, and I have come to the realization that most of it is pretty awful. I've left the range of sit-down restaurants out of this. This is strictly a "grab" morning coffee and run experiment. Except for Dunkin Donuts, any place I wouldn't get coffee from in the evening makes me wonder why anyone drinks coffee there at any other time. Fast food chains are right out. I shouldn't have to even explain. If you really need an explanation, go get a cup of McDonald's coffee; e-mail me if you have any further questions.

A big surprise to me was convenience stores. For those who live where there is no public transportation and have to drive to work, many of the gas stations have some really decent coffee. It's something like a blind date - it can be really good or really bad, but is usually something worth investigating. While taking some winter road trips to ski areas, I've found that some Mobile stations have mini Dunkin Donuts stands in them. This is usually a sure bet.

My recommendation is to adjust your morning navigations to pass by a coffee shop you're happy with. Too many people are a slave to convenience. If all else fails, look to the friendly orange and pinkish logo, or be like me and bring a coffee grinder and brewing essentials to your office. One word of warning; I was faced with a new dilemma - finding a good place to buy coffee beans as part of my morning routine.