I don't usually rave about coffee, but today in English we had to do this silly little excercise. It involved writing down what various ideas or things meant to you, in single words. Then our teacher told us what each of those things represented, a bit like those stupid emails you get.

One of the concepts was 'Coffee.' I wrote "Warm", "Cuddly" and "Chiche". The last bit is only because I like the word "Chiche", regardless of any actual meaning, so that translates to general good feelings as well as being a little bit chiche.

So our teacher tells us that what we wrote for coffee translated to our feelings regarding sex. I was rather proud of myself. But that aside, I realised what a deep abiding love of coffee I have. I'm not a coffee douche, who insists on only drinking some magical blend and talks about it in his spare time, but aside from that, it's probably my favourite drink, hot or cold.

There's just something special about it. It's a truly warm and cuddly feeling, like I mentioned. A cup of coffee can keep you company when you're feeling lonely. It wakes you up. It's something to play with when you're bored. Or you can just idly sip a mug, not even paying attention to the sensual, delicious feeling as it slides down your throat, until it's all gone, and then you miss it.

It's completely different to an alcoholic beverage. Beer, for instance, is a wonderful, truly marvellous creation, but it pales in comparison. Coffee is a drink you can have at any time of day, be it in the morning as a quick pick-me-up or after lunch to chase everything home in a soothing glow.

Instant coffee is not too bad either. I know there are people who cannot abide the stuff, but personally I find it quite acceptable. You cannot be too careful choosing your blend though, because a cheap one tastes truly horrible (Farmland Instant Coffee, for instance, does not taste like coffee. It's cheap, and similar to drinking watered mud.) Stronger varieties, espressos and the like, can also bring out the rough edge instant coffee can develop, so I tend to keep back from them.