Completely revised and updated for 2006, The Coffee Book ranges from bean to cup, exploring production, the history of café society, dramatic tales of high-stakes international trade, health aspects, the industry's major players, and the specialty coffee revolution-including the very latest developments in sustainable coffee. Jammed full of facts, figures, cartoons, photos, and commentary.

"There is no shortage of books on coffee, but none provide the academic depth of THE COFFEE BOOK while remaining highly accessible to all levels of interest, making it a ready reference for both coffee lovers and coffee professionals. "

--Speciality Coffee Association of America

"Informed and argumentative... Drawing on sources ranging from Molière and beatnik cartoonists to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the authors describe the beverage's long and colorful rise to ubiquity. "

--The Economist

"This well-written book is an enticing brew. . . . An outstanding example of a thorough industry treatment."

--Library Journal

The US is the largest coffee consuming nation in the world, followed by Brazil. Germany is the largest in Europe.

The highest coffee consumption in the world--about 21 pounds per year per person--is in Finland

Four major transnationals-- Nestlé, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, and Sara Lee--dominate world coffee markets; together, they account for 60% of US sales and 40% of the global coffee trade.

The modern espresso machine was created by Fernando Illy in Italy in 1904. Invented so rushed Italian commuters could enjoy fresh coffee on the run, espresso has become the basis for the US specialty coffee industry.

On traditional farms, coffee is shaded by trees that provide the farmer with fruit, animal feed and firewood.