Coffee is best just black and smooth tasting, like this wonderful read. The author reveals intriguing information about the history of coffee through the rascals that discovered it, coveted it, and brought the savory bean to the world.

Superb graphic, accurate information.
A detailed review for each of the coffee growing countries,
icluding all the little islands (and even smuggled coffees...).
I have all od David K.'s books and several other coffee books,
this one is definatly the best of them all.

Costa Rica Before Coffee is a book that clearly states that the myth of the land-holding self-sufficient peasant isn't true. Many Costa Ricans believe that before coffee our country was a paradise in which everybody used to own land and where there were no discrepancies in the society. With elegance, statistics and history; Lowell clearly expalins that coffee helped reinforce the democratic model in Costa Rica instead of undermining it.

I thoroughly enjoy this book and have re-read it several times to memorize recipes. It opened my senses to the enjoyment of herbal teas. I could easily find the herbs I needed to make most of the teas in this book. The tea time treats look scrumptious as well. The medicinal teas have been beneficial and the folk wisdom enlightening. I only wish this book was longer!

I came here looking for this book after reading one of the poems inside. It's called The Victims by Michael Burgess, and it is brilliant. It's not pretty and it's not flowery, but it's about as real as you can get and it's a wonderful read. If the editors did as well choosing the other contributors, then this book is a true find. And if they aren't as brilliant, it's still going to be worth every dime.

I searched everywhere for a guide to coffee mills and asked any and every antique dealer/collector if there was such a thing. White's book is the only one I have found on this topic. This book has wonderful diagrams and measurements. It includes patent numbers and drawings but is only a foot in the door. I would like to see an update that gives more current prices. I did appreciate the detailed drawings and photographs.

Living in the Los Angeles area, I've been a long-time customer of the Elixir store in West Hollywood. There is no place like it, with licensed herbalists helping customers like me to better understand the power of herbs. I never get sick anymore and I've consumed a thousand tonic beverages at the tonic bar at Elixir. For me, this book is a fabulous window into the world of practical herbalism. I've already tried some of the make-at-home recipes and they're every bit as delicious and healthful as the ones available at the Elixir store. It's clear that the authors didn't hold back on wonderful knowledge that stands behind the success of their store. My family and I are big tonic drinkers now and I'll eventually try every recipe, from soup and spritzer. Great book!!!

The complete guide to espresso, cappuccino. latte and coffee. Shows you how to brew perfect espresso, steam and foam milk, and choose the best coffee, the right machine, and the perfect grinder. "A joyful encyclopedic volume for espresso consumers."--Donald N. Schoeholt, Specialties Editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

I have had this book for quite some time and was pleased with the variety of recipes and ideas it presented. I expected much less for the price. The introduction contains info on roasting, selecting, brewing, steaming milk and other important details. It contains a section of hot drinks without alcohol and another section of drinks containing alcohol. Those are followed by a section of cold drinks with and without alcohol. The final section is a collection of recipes incorporating espresso as one of the ingredients. Some recipes are: Espresso Jack Daniels Rib Sauce; Pork Tenderloin with Espresso Sauce; Espresso Special Chili; Red Beans and Rice; Tiramisu; Espresso Chocolate Cheesecake; Espresso Pecan Pie; Chocolate-Espresso Gelato; Espresso-Scotch Frosting and Espresso Truffles. I recommend this book to those who love coffee and also enjoy trying new things. There's lots of fun to be had here and it's a great starter if you're new to the realm of espresso drinks.

This book attempts, and on many levels succeeds, to establish the whole mentality behind espresso culture.

While other books on the marketplace establish core fundamentals, theories, and practices in creating the perfect bean beverage (David Schomer's Espresso Techniques book comes to mind), this book passes that by and dives into what makes the search for perfect espresso such a joy.

It is an unconventional book. It delves a bit into coffee history, then immediately turns into a cultural observation tale. And the next page has a series of recipes. Then it jumps back into other cultureal microessays, and more recipes again. Another foray into history and technique, then all over again.

Normally, this wouldn't work for me, but it does in this book. Along with great photos (though the macro only techniques start to run a bit thin by the end) the book attempts to recreate the atmosphere that comes along with pulling a great shot, or sitting at Deux Maggots drinking "un petit", or the like.

And in many ways, it succeeds. It will only take you an hour or so to digest this short book, but if you love the bean and the culture that lives around it, you will be going back to this book once in a while.