FOR many of us it’s the perfect pick-me-up – just the thing to perk us up for the day ahead and give us a boost when feeling low.

But exactly what is the perfect cup of coffee and just how far do you have to go to make it?

An expert from renowned tea and coffee business Taylors of Harrogate now believes he has the answer - after a madcap mission which took him 13,000 miles across the globe.

First stop for coffee fanatic Dom Dwight was the Nyeri region of Kenya, arriving in April when top quality beans from the peak season harvest were ready and waiting.

Then it was off to the French Alps to roast the beans at one of the highest points in Europe, 3,842m above sea level at Chamonix, in order to significantly reduce the boiling point of water.

“Developing coffee flavours is about chemistry, certain reactions happen at certain temperatures to produce different flavour characteristics,” said Mr Dwight, 36.

“By changing the boiling points of the water we can try to reduce some of the caramelisation that produces bitterness, to allow more of the sweetness and acidity through.”

From there Mr Dwight headed for a remote corner of Finland, Ylitornio in Finnish Lapland, the source of what is claimed to be the purest water in the world.

Famed for its unique softness and taste, “Veen” water is unusually low in mineral content – especially magnesium and calcium, elements which would ordinarily make mineral water a poor choice for brewing coffee.

Then it was back to Blighty for the world’s most expensive milk from the “happiest cows in Britain” - nurtured by Hare Krishnas on a farm at Watford which was bequeathed to them by Beatle George Harrison.

A quick trip up the A1finally took Mr Dwight back to Harrogate where the beans were meticulously ground by expert coffee technician Jamie Treby and precision brewed in a coffee siphon.

Mr Dwight said: “We’ve always gone to extremes to improve our coffee knowledge and continually discover great flavours – you might say we go the extra mile. For our ultimate coffee trip we went a fair few more -12,999, in fact.”

And the verdict on the streets of Harrogate?

Maeve Dawson said: “I love it, really great flavour. Just what I needed to start my day.”

Paul Towley added: “This is good stuff. Not normally a coffee drinker, but this could convert me. It’s got a really rich flavour. “

And Mark Smythe said: "That’s a long way to go for a cup of coffee. Suppose it tastes okay though.”