Like rare gems and fine wines, coffee is a high demand commodity on every inch of the planet. Coffee lover won’t know the severity of the demand until you reading this list of fifty books. These are must-haves to explore the origins, influences and political implications, and a little coffee fun with recipes and twisted tales.
1. The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing- Coffees Explored, Explained, and Enjoyed by James Hoffmann
Coffee is a big deal all over the world. The World Atlas of Coffee best put this into words and eye-catching pictures. Coffee pursuers on all levels will enjoy learning about the origin of coffee and who’s responsible for producing it in the most prominent regions. Along with engaging content, it holds maps, statistics, and brewing tutorials all in the name of coffee across the globe.
2. The World Encyclopedia of Coffee by Mary Banks, Christine McFadden, and Catherine Atkinson
A writer, cook, and coffee expert collaborated to give a world guide to coffee. It comes complete with the basics of dealing with the beans and a ton of recipes. The book even aims to satisfy sweet tooths with dessert recipes to complement coffee drinks.
3. Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World by Mark Pendergrast
Coffee has been on a whirlwind adventure throughout the ages. This book doesn’t miss a step of the journey. It starts with the discovery of coffee in Abyssinia and takes readers all the way to the story of leading manufacturers and retailers in the industry. In between, the book touches on social and political issues such as fair trade, rising and declining prices, and coffee influencers.
4. Left Coast Roast: A Guide to the Best Coffee and Roasters from San Francisco to Seattle by Hanna Neuschwander
This book gets more specific, helping coffee lovers have a concentrated search in the United. States. Shining light on local coffeehouses and big time breweries sets it apart. Newbies can get up to speed with the book’s guide on coffee jargon and brewing how-tos.
5. Coffee Life in Japan by Merry I. White
Coffee fanatics on all levels will be informed and entertained from this memoir. The author elaborates on Japan’s role in grooming Brazil to delve into the coffee industry, and their influence in Europe and America. The book enlightens readers on how the cafe is the core of conversation and social influence in Japan. White shares how the area centered around coffee is a liberating space that births so much more.
6. The East India Company Book of Coffee by Antony Wild
Named for the long time trader of commodities, this book vows to share everything there is to know about coffee. The book shares facts aLike rare gems, fine wines, and the purest grown organics, coffee is a high demand commodity on every inch of the planet. You won’t know the severity of how much until you read this list of fifty books. These are must-haves to explore the origins of coffee, influences and political implications, and a little coffee fun with recipes and twisted tales.
7. Amazing Coffee Travels (Tales of a Coffee Expert, #2) by Serge Remy
The entertainment that spills from this book is contagious. A coffee enthusiast tracks his adventures as he seeks coffee across diverse demographics. He has the pleasure of drinking rare brews in the company of different cultures. The kicker is his non-conventional use of coffee on skin, like his coffee massage and swimming pool.
8. The Social Life of Coffee: The Emergence of the British Coffeehouse by Brian Cowan
Get a glimpse into the history of coffee from a British perspective. This book explores the country’s pioneering of the coffeehouse as a place to enjoy the commodities and get social. It gives an in depth look into commercial and social aspects of Britain’s coffee and coffeehouses.
9. Coffee Story: Ethiopia by Majka Burhardt
It’s not the only book about Ethiopia’s coffee, but it is proudly the only one originating from the country. It captures any coffee explorers attention through vivid photographs and detailed information. Coffee Story: Ethiopia gives another perspective on how coffee has shaped and evolved a nation.
10. Max Havelaar: Or the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company by Multatuli, Eduard Douwes Dekker, Roy Edward
This story lets readers in on the dark side of the coffee industry. It exposes unfair and harsh treatment in dutch as the area continued to rise from coffee trade. This read is noted as a groundbreaker of the fair trade movement as it sparked welfare reform in the Dutch nation.
11. The Coffee House: A Cultural History by Markman Ellis
It’s not hard to guess what this one’s about. The book takes an in-depth look at the role coffeehouses have played in society over the years. It became much more than just a place to have what has become a worldwide favorite. The Coffee House explores how the establishment became the central location for social debates that evoked change in the 18th century.
12.God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Coffee by Michaele Weissman
This exciting tale follows the coffee explorations of Michaele Weissman. As she puts her trust in her three guides and their expertise, she travels the globe to understand the reason behind such high value of the beans. Her journey also reveals how the coffee habits of Americans supports the livelihood of farmers in third-world countries.
13. Coffee: A Dark History by Antony Wild
Wild uses his experience as a specialty coffee buyer to share his perspective on the history of coffee. Most of his work argues that the coffee industry has had a negative impact on the laborers, farmers, and drinkers. Wild even gets into the detrimental health effects he believes caffeine has on the human body.
14. A Secret History of Coffee, Coca & Cola by Ricardo Cortes
It’s easy to wonder about what makes coffee so addictive or why it’s not illegal. Maybe once upon a time, some ingredients were. This book goes into detail about the history and intertwining of Coca Cola, coffee, coca leaf, Kola nut, cocaine, and caffeine. It touches on the contradictions in laws prohibiting purest forms of the substances yet allowing their use in beverages.
15. The Birth of Coffee by Daniel Lorenzetti, Linda Rice Lorenzetti
More than just showing coffee’s history, this book shows the rigorous process staff goes through to raise the plants through manual labor. From this book, coffee lovers will be fascinated with the impact coffee’s had in geographic locations where it originated.
16. The Devil’s Cup: A History of the World According to Coffee by Stewart Lee Allen
The author of this intriguing story sets out on a journey across a huge chunk of the world driven by the originating areas and influencers of coffee. He proves to the world that coffee was a strong factor in decision-making throughout history.
17. Coffee- Philosophy for Everyone: Grounds for Debate
An interesting read unlike any other coffee book, this one discusses the ethics of coffee trade. The book also touches on the significance of the coffeehouse to society.
18. The Curious Barista’s Guide to Coffee by Tristan Stephenson
Guide is an understatement of everything packed in this book. It breaks down each component of coffee discussing the origin and expansion across cultures, the growth and manufacturing process, and making drinks from the simplest to the most extravagant. Stephenson has the experience to back up his advice. He’s gone from training bartenders to being a beverage consultant and bar owner.
19. Coffee: Growing, Processing, Sustainable Production by Jean Nicolas Wintgens
Wintgens holds nothing back in this book about the growth process of the plant responsible for all coffee lovers’ cravings. The compilation from 40 professionals in the business goes through the stages of growth, protection, and exportation of coffee.
20. Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying by Kenneth Davids
Coffee lovers have the perfect mix of history and modern day information with this guide. It gives a brief overview of the history along with best practices to have the most enjoyable coffee experiences.
21. The Art and Craft of Coffee: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Selecting, Roasting, and Brewing Exquisite Coffee by Kevin Sinnott
In this uniquely orchestrated book, the author explains how coffee connoisseurs can use the beverage as their travel guide.
22. The Various Flavours Of Coffee by Anthony Capella
This is the story of a coffee merchant who accepts the task of documenting and organizing the different tastes of coffee. His job leads him on a journey to falling in love.
23. Little Black Book of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Your Favorite Perk-Me-up by Karen Berman
Little Black Book is a perky recipe book with more tasty drinks to add to your coffee regimen.
24. The Book of Coffee: A Gourmet’s Guide by Riccardo Illy
This book gives a little taste of everything coffee. It starts with the history and secrets of the undeniable taste and ends with recipes and buying guides.
25. All About Coffee by William H. Ukers
Ukers uses this platform to share the introduction of coffee and it’s expansion in each area across the world. It specifically focuses on Europe and the United States.
26. Coffee Flavor Chemistry by Ivon Flament
This book gives an introduction to the science behind coffee and how quality control processes impact its flavors.
27. The Coffee Book by Gregory Dicum
Coffee lovers will enjoy this animated version of the history of coffee. It takes readers on a journey from what’s believed to be the start of coffee in Ethiopia to the current controversy over the fair trade market.
28. The Coffee Roaster’s Companion Book by Scott Rao
Coffee roasters, or those who want to learn, need this book in their possession. It’s dedicated to roasting with advice from the professionals.
29. Beginners’ Guide To Coffee At Home: Coffee Basics For Coffee Enthusiasts by A. Edward Gur
Gur helps the inexperienced coffee lover go from being at the mercy of coffee shops to brewing their own delicious favorites at home.
30 The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee: Growing, Roasting, and Drinking, with Recipes by Caitlin Freeman, James Freeman, and Tara Duggan
This book gives insight into the new age of coffee and how to enjoy it. Blue Bottle Coffee Company shares the ins and outs of modern approaches on coffee and gives information on how to get the best raw coffee from around the world. Readers can look forward to recipes, gadget information, and tips on pastry pairings.
31. How to Make Coffee: The Science Behind the Bean by Lani Kingston
Coffee seekers who want to go from the basic cup of joe will get their money’s worth from this book. It gives a detailed look into caffeine, coffee beans, and what it takes to perfect every cup.
32. I Love Coffee!: Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks by Susan Zimmer
This beautiful book shares tons of recipes for hot and cold drinks from an author passionate about the art of coffee.
33. Coffee Nerd: How to Have Your Coffee and Drink it Too by Ruth Brown
Brown gives interesting details about the history of coffee, but in a unique way. Her approach explains how new age drinkers have drastically improved the drink their parents used to enjoy.
34. Starbucks Passion for Coffee: A Starbucks Coffee Cookbook by DAve Olsen, John Phillip Carroll, and Lora Brody
Get the history of coffee and some of the top recipes from one of the best in the business. The book shares about fears of social conversations sparked by the creation of coffeehouses and the reason behind it.
35. Coffee Creations by Gwin Grogan Grimes
Don’t expect to find just beverages in this recipe book. It puts a spin on the tutorials you’re used to by sharing cuisine made from the almighty coffee bean.
36. Setting Up and Managing Your Own Coffee Bar: How to Open a Coffee Bar That Actually Lasts and Makes Money by John Richardson & Hugh Gilmartin
The authors have taken the good and bad from their business experience to give you the best advice for opening your own coffee shop.
37. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting and Running a Coffee Bar by Susan Gilbert, W. Eric Martin and Linda Formichelli
Anyone who’s ready to make their coffee business dreams a reality won’t go wrong with this step-by-step guide. It breaks the business sector of coffee down to the simplest form possible.
38. Pour Your Heart into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time by Howard Schultz
Starbucks is one of the industry’s leading in the retail business of coffee. If a coffee drinker ever wants to go from admirer to business owner, they should learn from the best. This book gives the background of how Starbucks became a leading legend in the coffee business.
39. Espresso Coffee: The Science of Quality
This is more than the average history or growth of coffee plants. The book gets technical, giving information about the backend process of producing fresh, high quality coffee.
40. Everything but Espresso by Scott Rao
Coffee lovers who are really in it for the flavor will appreciate this read. It goes into intricate details about simple, achievable ways to improve coffee flavor. The sections include extraction, brew methods, and bean storage.
41. Coffee Obsession by Anette Moldvaer
Recipes are a huge portion of this book, but Moldvaer takes it a step further. She shares expertise from around the world on their strategies to make irresistible cups of coffee.
42. Coffee Gives me Super Powers by Ryoko Iwata
This lighthearted book comes from the author of the website, I Love Coffee. Expect to find fun facts about coffee and its ingredients in non-conventional formats.
43. The Joy of Coffee by Corby Kummer
Kummer gives serial coffee drinkers a modern guide to making delicious brews from the comfort of their homes. He shares a buying guide dishing the best beans, grinders, and espresso equipment, and how to buy it all.
44. Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover’s Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Theresa Peluso
This special book from the Chicken Soup collection shares stories with their take on the history of coffee and its various forms.
45. Coffee and Cake by Rick Rodgers
For those who prefer sweets with their coffee, this is the perfect book. The culinary genius and author shares practical guidance on how to make various coffee beverages using different machines. He combines this with recipes for the perfect dessert combinations.
46. The Infinite Emotions of Coffee by Alon Y. Halevy
Who knew coffee had emotions? Apparently this author did. Halevy travels to 20 countries, exploring the history of coffee and the emotions it has evoked throughout the years and within each culture.
47. Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk by Dale Fincher
Coffee lovers who frequent the shops know all about meeting new people on each visit. It comes with responsibility of respecting each other’s views and opinions. This book explains how to share religious views in coffee shops without offending others.
48. Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnès Martin-Lugand
This fiction book about a coffee shop owner has highs and lows as it tells the story of the owner’s loves, and losses.
49. The Professional Barista’s Handbook by Scott Rao
Unsatisfied with his collection of books intending to give advice on coffee making, Rao gives it a shot at explaining how to make good coffee in a business setting.
50. Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability, and Survival by Daniel Jaffee
The purpose of the book is to discover if the fair trade system really works. In that effort, it traces the the members of Michiza as they sell on the international fair trade market. The book seeks to show the difference in impact of this group versus similarly located traditional farmers.
The multitude of coffee beverages range from fancy and sophisticated, to simple without complications. Avid coffee drinkers have the luxury of indulgence in their favorite beverages, specific to their liking. Meanwhile, they never stop to think about the process from bean to beverage. These books share an interesting history about the stages of coffee and its role in society around the world.
