I’m not really a coffee aficionado—dare I say the word “addict”—but I do think there are some basic things that you HAVE TO DO to fully enjoy the cup that you have. The one right there in front of you. The one that you’re drinking!

1. Take the lid off

Coffee is meant to be smelled first and then drunk. So please take off the plastic lid.

2. Drink it out of ceramic

Paper? Ugh. Plastic? Ugh and dangerous. Heating plastics is just not good for your health. Ceramic is just built to pour coffee and leave not weird aftertaste or textural sensation.

3. Don’t you dare put cream and sugar in there!

Black is best in this case. If you’re going to drink coffee, then drink coffee. If you want a cookie or a bowl of ice cream then eat a cookie or a bowl of ice cream.

For what it’s worth, I think it’s good to point out that October 10th, somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic region of United States is probably the best time to drink a cup of coffee.

Happy Monday folks.