The Joy Of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying - Revised and Updated

This book is great as a reference. There is lots of info on buying, roasting,grinding, etc. Excellent read for for the specialty coffee enthusiast. There aresome good illustrations, but the emphasis is on information.The book mainly deals with the people who only want fresh ground beans. That'sOK, but for many people coffee is simply a part of life, i.e., a pick-me-up atMcDonalds on the way to work or a big pot when guests come. This often means pre-ground supermarket coffee, or even instant. Not everyone has regular access to agourmet coffee shop. The author could have told how to choose, & how to keepcoffee from staling so rapidly. For instance there is enough air left in a can tostale the coffee. Unless it is going to be used up quickly, it should immediately betransferred to a somthing w/o so much oxygen. A zip lock bag & an air-tight foodcontainer works. Also it IS possible to reseal a brick bag. Use a TWIXIT CLIP BAGSEALER (or something similar i.e. Pampered Chef). True, that won't last forever,but I have used coffee for 3 months with just its own "sealers" & it was still goodwhen it ran out.A book such as this should be written for the maximum number of people who areinterested. Of course most books on this subject are similar, & I guess that mostof the people who love supermarket coffee will probably not be reading a book likethis anyway. All this aside, I repeat, the info is good. If the reader is a gourmetcoffee enthusiast, this is an excellent book to get.

I bought what I thought was a used paperback. What I received was an advance reading copy that was desperately in need of better editing and labeled not for resale. That was not indicated in the listing for this book..As an example - There are several references through out the book to sources of coffee or equipment or coffee to water proportions at page 000. There is no page 000 in this copy. There is a page at the back of the book that references a general index, if you go to the page indicated there is a statement that a general index will follow.What is there is interesting and appears to be factual except when the author states that his opinion is .....I would have opted for a different used item if I had known this was not resale copy with the editing completed. It was cheaper than the other used versions so I guess I got what I paid for.

This is a clear guide to making, buying, and loving coffee. From espresso machines to vacuum pots, this covers the whys and wherefores. Why is Dunkin Donuts the epitome of "East Coast Roasting," and Pete's/Starbucks the champions of "West Coast Roasting"? It's all here. My only wish would be for a newer edition; I would love to see a discussion of the SoftBrew Coffee Maker or the Aeropress (which the author has covered in some New York Times articles).

I love this book all about coffee, types of beans, grinds, coffee pots, espresso - everything you ever wanted to know. If you are a coffee lover and like coffee treats like REAL Italian biscotti and breakfast breads, then this is your book.

Lots of fun to read giving trivia and tidbits for coffee loving comrades.

My headline says it all. Some interesting general info about coffee growing, brewing and varieties. 20-page chapter on caffeine. Too much information on professional taster/roasters cupping coffee. OK book for coffee neophite that wants a broad overview.

I bought this book on the suggestion of an author who writes about food and travel. I am very pleased with the book It is informative and has some delicious recipes.

great book, very informative and well written. information and style come together.

An excellent book covering a wide range of topics, from origins and history to practical brewing and storage tips. Would highlight recommend to anyone with a passion for the bean!

Very informative and interesting book