The purr-fect cuppa or even more on coffee ...

In Blackadder Goes Forth, where Baldrick serves as a WWI army cook in the trenches (rat au vin incidentally is rat that has been run over by a van, then soaked in a puddle), there is frequent reference to sustenance that has passed through the digestive system of a cat before being served. Up until now, I have taken that rather metaphorically ...

Not any more! Today's newspaper cites this somewhat dated research on Kopi Luwak, a highly expensive speciality coffee, the beans of which have effectively made a detour through this little critter before ending up in John Cleese's cup, just to name one connoisseur consumer of the brew (why am I not surprised?). What a pity that Samuel Clemens isn't with us any more - I am sure he would have something fierce to say about that!