Customer Reviews

Coffee: Growing, Processing, Sustainable Production: A Guidebook for Growers, Processors, Traders, and Researchers

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I'm a grower, exporter, seller and roaster of coffee from Jinotega, Nicaragua. When I started my farm, my goal was to own the entire supply chain from seed to cup. It was very difficult as I began this journey 4 years ago found it difficult as no one understand the entire scope of seed to cup as most people understand only a narrow segment of each aspect of the industry, such as farming, cupping, retailing, etc. This book encompasses the entire seed to farming, to processing, export, to cup and to eventually retail. It discusses aspects of ecology, sustainability, and new coffee technology. It covers the various processes of coffee horticulture and milling in different parts of the world. I was able to bring ideas from Africa to my farm in Central America. The locals initially were resistant, but seeing it in action quickly changed minds. Through this book I was able to cut my energy cost to a minimum, and also reduce my water usage to only 20 gallons a day for wet miling coffee. I only use 8 workers for a 30 hectare farm. Fertilizer costs also decreased by judicious use and understanding of nutritional needs of the coffee trees. We were able to get premium prices for our coffee as the quality drastically improved. The cup also is excellent with an average score of 80. Love to see it in a kindle. This book is heavy and stained with coffee from the various trips to Central America.

No other coffee book has as much breadth as this one. Moreover, the information is current and most of the chapters are written by respected coffee scientists. I use this coffee book more than any other on my shelf!

Even though the book was designed as a practical guide for coffee growers, the average individual interested in coffee will likely find many chapters useful and interesting. Yes, it is expensive but it is worth it!

As the title suggests, Wintgens has aggregated a large part of everything worth knowing in coffee growing, processing and production. Comprehensive and still current today, this book is a must have for any coffee industry participant involved in farming, milling, exporting, importing or roasting. It is even useful to cafe owners and baristas - especially if you are in the specialty coffee segment of the industry. It may be a relatively expensive book compared to a paperback novel, but if you're serious about coffee then it's an investment that you won't regret.

It's a FABULOUS book, and has absolutely EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about growing coffee. It's well-organized and easy to read, if a bit technical (but that technical information is useful). Good pictures too.