Whether black from a bottomless cup or as a Frappuccino mocha skim latte, it's our culture's elixir, coffee. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, java, joe, or a cup of mud. Most of us drink it everyday, but few of us know the effects it has on the world's economy, or even on our own bodies. Also, how to brew the perfect cup. And, using grounds to divine the future. The world's most popular pick-me-up, next time.

Timothy James Castle tells Jim Fleming how he brews the perfect cup of coffee. He says for the real coffee experience, drink it black without milk or flavors. Castle's book is "The Perfect Cup: A Coffee-Lover's Guide to Buying, Brewing and Tasting." Also, journalist Mark Pendergrast is the author of "Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World." He tells Steve Paulson that coffee came from Ethiopia, functioned as a patriotic symbol during the early days of the American Republic, and prolonged the slave trade in places like Brazil. And, he says, Americans have always believed they have a right to cheap coffee.

Bennett Alan Weinberg walks Anne Strainchamps through the science of caffeine. Sure it's an addictive drug, but it has its good points! It's a naturally occurring substance, and we can benefit from its rejuvenating properties. Weinberg's book is "The World of Caffeine." Finally, Anne Strainchamps visits Barbara Moran, a coffee diviner who explains her ancient art and reads the good news in Anne's grounds. Barbara owns The Dardanelles restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin.

Books:

• Timothy James Castle, The Perfect Cup: a coffee-lover's guide to buying, brewing and tasting (Perseus Publishing)
• Bennett Alan Weinberg and Bonnie K. Bealer, The World of Caffeine: the science and culture of the world's most popular drug (Routledge)
• Mark Pendergrast, Uncommon Grounds: the history of coffee and how it transformed our world (Basic Books)

Music:

• 1. Don Newton "A Cuppa Coffee the Size of my Head" Keepers Coffee. Minnesota Public Radio.
• 2. Greg Brown "Good Morning Coffee" Newport Fertival Turn of Decade, 1989-1990. Red House Records.
• 3. Frank Sinantra "The Coffee Song" Ring-a-Ding-Ding. Reprise Records.
• 4. Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" Brother Can You Spare a Dime?. Platinum Records.
• 5. Manhattan Transfer. "Java Jive" Swing. Atlantic Records.
• 6. John Gorka, "St. Caffeine" After Yesterday. Blue Palace Music.
• 7. Dakota Dave Hull and Kair Larso. "Double Cappuccino" Double Cappuccino. Aribica Productions.

Distribution dates:

• week of 02/10/2002 - hour 1