Any traveler with an interest in slowing down and experiencing the finer things -- a good cup of coffee, fine wine, heavenly music, or a Sacher torte with whipped cream -- will feel right at home.

Here is a liquid as colourless as water, almost tasteless, quite imperceptible in coffee, wine, or any other beverage. It is also quite imperceptible to any known method of autopsy.

But when it comes to everyday drinking habits these days, Paris prides itself mostly as a place to celebrate good wine and strong coffee.