The Curious Barista's Guide to Coffee Hardcover – May 14, 2019

I recently fell in love with Coffee.It started with buying an Aeropress, evolved into trying some speciality coffee, and resulted in me realizing that there's truly more to coffee than running hot water over some crushed up beans for a solid hit of caffeine. While some would say that Coffee and I are still in the youthful infatuation stage, since we've only known each other for about 9 months now, I say that I'm fully committed to this relationship and want to take the next step of understanding where Coffee comes from, why it tastes the way that it does, and how can I continue to make it better.This book encompasses all of these aspects - and more - in brilliantly illustrated and detailed chapters that cover everything from how the coffee is grown to why and how it yields a cup of golden coffee. Stephenson provides a deep yet understandable level of detail when it comes to things like describing the phase changes a coffee bean goes through when it is roasted. The level of detail is not too scientific, but not too cursory either. Just the right amount for a layman-turn-barista like myself.To top it all off, roughly the final quarter of the book is dedicated to all sorts of different recipes with coffee, a few of which I've tried, but all of which sound amazing.Combining understandable education with gorgeously printed pages make this book one of the best options for the coffee lover who wants to take his relationship (with Coffee) to the next level.

Very pleased to have chosen this book as a new novice in coffee brewing. It has everything from history, methods in brewing, and recipes with photos to enhance the imagination. It’s a keeper.

We got this book and a bag of beans for a white elephant gift. The whole family wanted it!! It's been the sisterhood of the traveling pants of books the way we pass it around. I think it makes a great decoration piece on a coffee table or at a coffee bar. There's a lot of good, interesting information. It's also nice to use as a reference guide.

Got this to give as a Christmas gift, and it's a really nice book with lots of great info, laid out well with images. But the size of the book feels smaller than the layout should be. The font is like a 6 point size and it is super hard to read. I feel like I'm becoming that guy, but jeepers, have mercy on us folks who need reading glasses. I had to find an old pair and double mine up to be able to see the content. Probably not a problem for the bionic woman, or in an ebook where you can adjust the font, or for people used to reading tiny print on phones, but for me it's a real issue.

I got this book for my sister who is a coffee snob and loves learning about coffee and is also a book collector, enthusiast, and loves pretty books.

Very small print but lots of good info.

I agree with the 5 star ratings of the other two reviewers. I would also like to add that the book itself was impressive. It wasn't inexpensive, but the thick, sepia-colored pages were easy on the eye and the whole thing is made to a high standard. Included are many pictures and attractive copies of works of art that involve coffee culture. It's a very nice book that is well worth the price. As for content, I learned a lot about coffee, which was the goal. The book even includes a section on coffee history, which was enjoyable to learn about. I'm about to embark on a new journey. I'll be making my own espresso at home with a manual lever machine I haven't even taken delivery of yet, and have much to learn. Having this book in my corner should prove extremely helpful.

Interesting book about coffee. Not even 20 pages in and there’s misspellings and incorrect facts.