Coffee Books

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World
by Mark Pendergrast

Since its discovery in an Ethiopian rainforest centuries ago, coffee has brewed up a rich and troubled history, according to Uncommon Grounds, a sweeping book by business writer Mark Pendergrast. The first comprehensive business and social history of coffee, which describes how coffee has dominated and molded the economies, politics, and social structures of entire countries. Pendergrast's scrupulously researched and lively anecdotal history provides a window through which to view broader themes of modern-day media and marketing, the rise of mass production, colonialism, women's issues, and international commodity schemes.

Perfect Cup:
A Coffee Lover's Guide to Buying, Brewing and Tasting
by Timothy James Castle

For coffee lovers everywhere, THE PERFECT CUP is the one book you'll need to appreciate coffee and its growing status as a gourmet beverage. Coffee expert Timothy Castle chronicles the coffee revolution in America and offers state-of-the-art information on everything from the bean itself to brewing and appreciating the perfect cup. In a section entitled "How to Buy Coffee and Whom to Buy It From," Castle includes interviews with more than thirty of America's foremost coffee retailers and roasters. He also provides an overview of the regions of the world where coffee is commonly grown.

Coffee Basics : A Quick and Easy Guide
by Kevin Knox

How can you distinguish between great coffee and great hype? Read Coffee Basics. Kevin Knox and Julie Sheldon Huffaker have filled this handy reference with hundreds of industry truths and trade secrets. You'll learn the fundamentals of coffee buying, brewing, and tasting; and develop an aficionado's ability to see beyond the expensive trappings of today's coffee explosion. You'll also discover the basic coffee facts: its origin, history, and many varieties; step-by-step methods for selecting, roasting, blending, and flavoring coffee "to taste"; simple charts showing grind progression, relative grinding times, and regional characteristics.

Coffee : A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying, Fifth Edition
by Kenneth Davids

Now in its latest revised edition, Kenneth Davids' comprehensive and entertaining book remains an invaluable resource for anyone who truly enjoys a good cup of coffee. It features updated information and definitions, a history of coffee culture, tips on storing and brewing, and other essential advice designed to improve the coffee experience. Coffee lovers everywhere will welcome this lively, complete guide to the fascinating world of America's national beverage.

The World Encyclopedia of Coffee: The Definitive Guide to Coffee, from Simple Bean to Irresistible beverage
by Christine McFadden

Explore coffee's many different uses from aromatic beverage to indispensable cooking ingredient. Learn the history of coffee while enjoying a cup of the brew and maybe a biscotti. Talks about coffee around the world, the art of coffee drinking, and many recipes of cakes & pastries in which coffee is one of the ingredients.

The Joy of Coffee : The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying - Revised and Updated
by Corby Kummer

If coffee from a can or jar is your idea of purgatory, The Joy of Coffee is the book for you. Its author, Corby Kummer, originally came to the subject of coffee while writing a series of articles for the Atlantic Monthly, and he found so much to say about the bean that he decided to write a book. Kummer began with some basic questions: "What matters most in buying coffee? How can you sort through the jumble of place names and whimsical labels on beans and blends? Is a dark roast better, more sophisticated, than a light roast? Is it essential to grind coffee beans at home?" What he learned in response to these queries comprises the bulk of The Joy of Coffee.

Starting with a tour of a coffee plantation and ending in the reader's own kitchen, Kummer leads a lively and informative discussion of all phases of coffee production, from harvesting to roasting to brewing. He discusses different roasts and the different types of coffeemakers, and he even talks about caffeine consumption and methods of decaffeination that preserve the bean's flavor. At the end of The Joy of Coffee is a chapter chock full of recipes for tasty treats that either go well with coffee or include it as an ingredient. Like a great cup of Joe, The Joy of Coffee is good to the very end.