The other day I talked about my new favorite cup. Today I'd like to kick off a new series on the site that will show up from time to time. What's In My Cup will showcase a new coffee I am drinking on occasion.

Normally, I have a standard that I get from the store, which is fairly good coffee, but not really anything to write home about. That isn't what I'll talk about in these posts. Every now & then, I am either gifted, or just treat myself, to a coffee that I consider special. That is what you will find in these occasional articles.

Why coffee? Because I practically have a love affair going on with coffee. And I don't know very many geeks who will disagree with the idea of coffee being essential to workflow and general brain functionality.

I'd like to introduce you to Cultiva Coffee. Cultiva is a local roaster here in Lincoln, NE, and many of the shops around town serve Cultiva exclusively. Their beans are definitely pricey, but worth every penny. They are certainly artisans in their craft.

In honor of my own birthday last week, I treated myself to a pound of Ethiopian Dernaye — Amaro Gayo. It's a light roast, which is a bit of a departure for me. I tend to go for medium. But, man, is it really good.

This coffee goes down really smooth and is downright refreshing in the morning. I've also been enjoying the extra perk of caffeine from a light roast. The taste is reminiscent of a hint of the roasted bit on the top of a crème brûlée.

And that is what is in my cup.