Customer Reviews

The Coffee Lover's Companion: The Ultimate Connoisseur's Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying Coffee

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After having read this book, I can now say that Diana Rosen is one of my favorite authors! Her COMPANION is an incredible guide to coffee around the world, as well as to enjoying it in your own home. As a coffee lover for many years -- I don't simply drink coffee, I *savor* it -- I was thrilled to see the research Ms. Rosen obviously put into this work. This study of "the magic bean" is one I'll keep. . .I consider it to be the definitive work, and it has a permanent place on (where else?) my coffee table.

This book delves deep into coffee. It covers history, culture around the world, and information on coffee varieties and how to brew a good cup. The end includes fantastic recipes. The best thing is that the book is very well-written, a joy to read.
From the dustjacket:
-Coffee legends, fables, and history
-Brewing methods and tips
-Coffee traditions in countries throughout the world
-Appraisal of coffee types, from Ankola to Yunnan
-Tips on making the perfect cappuccino, espresso, or caffee latte
-Growing and processing of coffee beans
-Buyer's guide to coffeepots and other brewing equipment
-Recipes for drinks, desserts, and other foods made with coffee
-More

After reading books on this subject by Thorn and Kummer it was a real disappointment to me to find that this so-called "ultimate guide" fell far short. If your interest lies more in the way coffee is served and consumed here and in other countries this may hold your interest. (The author's dissertation on U.S.practices manages somehow, even there, to omit any references to the influence of the key people at Peets, Starbucks, and Allegro, for example.) It is far too shallow for my taste in the areas of coffee selection by type and location (pros and cons) and blending techniques.