Tim Horton's coffee

On the way home from a semi-farewell dinner (I'm sure there will be more to come) with friends who are moving back to Ontario (sob) I received the troubling news that Tim Horton's puts nicotine into their coffee to increase our addiction and ensure a long line of customers.

Anyone who has been to Canada knows that Canadians are nuts about their Tim's -- by which they mean coffee. The phrase: "Let's go get a Tim's," means it's coffee break time. Whether donuts are also purchased is irrelevant. While there are many other coffee shops to be found across our fair land, it is Tim's that issues its siren call to the Canadian heart.

The morning drive in to work wouldn't be the same without a cup of Tim's for many. A great many. Canadians would rather line up for Tim's -- and they do, daily -- than zip into Starbucks or Perks. Some Tim's shops are open 24/7.

To be told that nicotine is added to the standard blend of Arabia beans was, well, startling, to say the least.

Of course, I had to get on the Internet first thing this morning to check it out.

Turns out it's an urban myth.

Apparently, an explanation was sought for the ridiculous popularity of Timmy's and when neither divine intervention nor the addictive quality of caffeine was regarded as a sufficient reason, nicotine or, in some versions, MSG was considered to be the culprit.

As it turns out, we're just crazy for Tim's. Or just plain crazy. Even the urban myth did nothing to curb our line-ups. The Canadian military now have Tim's served to them overseas. And, once only available in Canada, today 400 of the insidious shops can be found in the U.S.

(Frankly, I think the coffee at Tim's is terrible. But I'm whispering that statement through the anonymity of the Internet. I wouldn't want to see my house egged.)

And so, my detective work is done and I have to run. Time for my morning fix.

Have a great day!

Colleen