The Joy of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying

by Corby Kummer, Evangelia Philippidis

Discusses the growing, roasting, grinding, and brewing of coffee, and provides recipes for coffee-compatible cookies and cakes

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Culinary

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1995

Reviews

[Peter Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very outdated, especially the chapter on grinding & storage. Originally published in 1995, this is supposed to be updated, unfortunately some parts haven’t been updated. I gave it two stars as it’s got some great recipes.
If you want to buy a book to learn about coffee there are many that are better than this.

[Nick Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I realized as a coffee lover, how much I didn't know about the bean. This covers the process from plant to cup, including the different ways the beans can be picked, washed, dried, and roasted. This has pique my interest even more about coffee and wanting to brew and try it more ways than I currently do.

This is a book for people more into the specialty coffee, rather than already ground supermarket canned coffee. Not trying to be a snob, but this is a difference quality, price, and how the coffee will then be brewed. Therefore, this could be dry or off putting for someone not really into coffee, or fine with anything cheap from the supermarket. But, if you're curious and want to improve your daily cup, this is a great starting point.

Due to when this book was written, there are some things out of date, mainly equipment and coffee technology. Some of the simple ways to brew coffee, haven't changed in decades, but other more sophisticated ways to brew (like espresso) have changed greatly.

[John Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot from its pages. I really like the recipes and have used the Banana Bread recipe too many times to count. I highly encourage any coffee drinker to read this book.

[Hua · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be your best choice of first coffee book. From coffee growing, harvest, cupping, roast, brewing choices and coffee cake recipe (yes, cake recipe), it covers all the bases. Enjoy your cup!