My first time was probably in college to help stay awake while studying for exams.  But I have had few sips from my mom and grandma's while growing up.  But never really had my own cup til college.  Coffee is a must for my morning since I have to get up at 4:30 to get to work at the crime lab.  

James, though I do not work in a crime lab (must be exciting to be one), I still have my cuppa every morning without fail!

After years of addiction, I finally have it black (no sugar no milk) and believe I benefit all the antioxidant it has!  Hahaha!

Oh, Jeff, my first time was I was 17 and that cup of instant coffee gave me a bad headache but that did not stop me falling in love with coffee!  Way to go!  Yeay!

Cheers!

LionGirl, I love your decision to drink it black. That lets your taste buds truly appreciate the coffee itself. Now that you're a "purist", what coffees are you enjoying most?

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LionGirl said ...
Oh, Jeff, my first time was I was 17 and that cup of instant coffee gave me a bad headache but that did not stop me falling in love with coffee!  Way to go!  Yeay!

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Hey Jeff!

My first real cup of coffee was only a few years ago in the Wyoming mountains with an old cowboy named Peavey.  It was a light roast grind from Coal Creek Coffee in Laramie, but made cowboy style in a kettle over a stove at about 10,000 feet...

And it literally had a horseshoe it in.  

Since cowboy coffee isn't filtered you simply drop something cold into the pot and it settles the grounds to the bottom.  An egg, a rock, or a horseshoe works great, then you carefully pour the clean coffee off the top!

I was hooked.  

- Jonathan

Can't remember the start - but it's a meaningful part of every day life for me  - xoxoxoxo coffee!