While it's generally accepted that coffee is best when brewed at or around 200°F and served immediately, you'll hear no quarrel from me: anyone can and should enjoy their coffee in accordance with their preferences.

But that's also part of why, to this very day, coffee is still served everywhere at the same temperature as the coffee that McDonald's served Stella Liebeck.

It makes sense. If coffee is served hotter, then anyone who likes their coffee at any temperature can just wait until the coffee reaches their desired temperature. If coffee is served colder, then those who like hotter coffee are without recourse. Moreover, many people like to put additives in their coffee, which serves to cool it down. If the coffee is already served colder, then any additional cream or milk may cool it beyond their preference. Likewise, many people buy coffee on the way to work, or as part of a coffee run, or whatever else, and thus need to transport the coffee before consumption, which further cools it down.

Hotter coffee accommodates everyone. The problem was instead solved industrywide with one simple fix: sturdier cups secured by better lids. (And better point of sale procedures, such as not to require a poor woman to put coffee obtained from the drive through between her legs to add cream and sugar.)