A coffee lover’s guide to the best brews—written by two industry insiders Coffee Basics is a brief, no-nonsense guide to coffee products, appreciation, and brewing. It demystifies coffee’s origins and history, explores the overwhelming amount of different varieties and explains exactly how to brew the best cup. The authors describe the regional character of coffee beans from around the world and discuss a variety of roasting equipment and brewing methods for both home and restaurant. Lists mail-order sources for the best beans, plus great coffee drink recipes, tasting tips, and a complete coffee taster’s glossary KEVIN KNOX (Boulder, Colorado) is a Vice President and coffee buyer for Allegro. As a beverage speciali (more…)
June 19th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I have read a number of books on coffee, but Knox and Huffaker’s book is simply the all-around reference on coffee. While other book publishers include snazzy photo plates and recipes to sell their expensive books, this book gives tons of useful information on what goes into a wonderful cup of coffee. The experience and the passion that the authors (who are industry experts) have for the bean shows throughout. Because of this book, I was able to significantly enhance my family and friends’ coffee drinking experience. Whether you’re a novice coffee drinker or a seasoned espresso barista, this is one book that should be in your reference shelf.
June 20th, 2009 at 1:27 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great intro
This is a great introduction to the world of coffee for anyone getting into any part of the industry or if you just really enjoy coffee and want to learn more about it.
June 20th, 2009 at 3:19 am
This is not exactly a great book, but then again, not exactly a bad book. It covers much about the industry of coffee and goes over the different regions that produce coffee. It describes what is and how to brew a perfect cup of coffee.
But I get a feeling of being rushed from one tidbit of information to the next. Just while I am almost within grasp of a certain concept or am about to form a picture of what it is trying to say it ends there without further detail. But it does repeat key information more than once throughout the book so you do walk away with greater knowledge than before.
If learning about coffee was compared to eating out, this book is best suited as either an appetizer or a desert. Appetizer to whet and get your brain ready to learn more about coffee, or as a desert, to catch up on and review over learned knowledge.
I guess that’s why it is called “Coffee Basics” after all.
“A Perfect Cup” is a better selection in that it contains more information and better elaboration although that book is slightly dated being published in 1994. But coffee has been around way before 1994 so does it really matter?
June 20th, 2009 at 4:36 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
A solid, useful reference
I particularly enjoyed the Chapter on Regional Character (pp 47 - 71). I disagree with description of Kenya as being a “… brooding heavyweight …” page 39.
June 20th, 2009 at 7:00 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
To the point -not over powering
I wanted to know about coffee. This book gave me knowledge about coffee. Easy to read and to the point.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great source for coffee amateurs
I recommend this book for any person who wants to explore and expand his knowledge about the coffee. Its history, procedures, types of coffee, regions, recipes, etc.
June 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
great book for beginners
Great introduction to coffee - how to brew a great cup, a little bit about the industry, the different growing regions, how to buy good coffee, how to taste coffee, information…
June 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than basics and fantastic stories to know
Mr.Knox tells full stories based upon his own experiences in the industry. And I am getting improved taste of my own brewed coffee with dozens of stories to share with my friends…