Checked into Amazon.com today to see what was available on my favorite subject, coffee. Not surprising to me, there were many pages of books on the subject. Coffee’s importance in the world at large is truly amazing. While I could spend every day, all day reading about coffee, my time like yours is limited, so I chose just three books to add to my list of must reads:

Book 1-
I Love Coffee!: Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks (Paperback)
by Susan Zimmer (Author)

On Amazon.com in the product description it says, “In I Love Coffee! coffee connoisseur Susan Zimmer shares expert advice and techniques, from how to brew the perfect cup and how to make a basic cappuccino without a machine to a World Barista Latte Art Champion's tips for making masterful latte art designs. It is brimful with a wealth of coffee understanding from the "ground" up, from bean to cup, including international coffees and brewing techniques best suited to a variety of preferences, all topped off with plenty of problem-solving tips and delectable full-color photographs.”

Book 2-
Uncommon Grounds The History Of Coffee And How It Transformed Our World (Paperback)
by Mark Pendergrast (Author)

This book sounds as gripping as any fiction bestseller to me, full of intrigue and mystery. “Since its discovery in an Ethiopian rainforest centuries ago, coffee has brewed up a rich and troubled history, according to Uncommon Grounds, a sweeping book by business writer Mark Pendergrast. Over the years, the beverage has fomented revolution, spurred deforestation, enriched a few while impoverishing the many, and addicted millions with its psychoactive caffeine. Coffee is now the world's second most valuable legal commodity, behind oil, according to Pendergrast, who is also author of For God, Country, and Coca-Cola,” begins the Amazon.com review. It certainly has my interest.

Book 3-
Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying, Fifth Edition (Paperback)
by Kenneth Davids (Author)

I believe that this book could take me to a new level of understanding coffee. “Detailed information is given on the special qualities and characteristics of all coffees of the many regions of the world which produce it (Guatemala; Honduras; Costa Rica; Jamaica; Puerto Rico; Haiti; Colombia; Peru; Brazil; Yemen; Ethiopia; Kenya; Uganda; India; Sumatra; Java; New Guinea; Hawaii, etc.), and on the merits and demerits of the many different methods of brewing and the best utensils for each of them (Open-Pot; French Press or Plunger; Drip Brewing (both with and without filters); Flip-Drip or Neapolitan Macchinetta; Pumping Percolator (now passe and the best way to ruin coffee); Filter-Drip, automatic and otherwise; Concentrate; Middle Eastern or Turkish; Soluble or Instant, etc.). There is also a very full discussion of espresso and just why it produces the ultimate cup.”

I can not wait to get started on my reading and it’s not even summer yet. If you would like to join me, you can find all three books readily available on Amazon.com.

Enjoy!

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THE 4th ANNUAL COFFEE & TEA FESTIVAL: NYC
April 18-19, 2009
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Sat: 11AM-6PM
Sun: 11AM-5PM

PLEASE DON'T FORGET YOUR SAVINGS CODE, EXCLUSIVE FOR BELLAONLINE READERS, BELOW!

The Coffee and Tea Festival Website

When used to purchase tickets online, the promo code BELLA will give half-off the admission fee--a $10 savings.