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

During the years 2001-2003, global coffee prices hovered at their lowest level ever; the 'coffee crisis' that ensued destroyed national economies and devastated millions of small-scale family farmers.

In 1732, J.S. Bach wrote The Coffee Cantata, a lighthearted piece that parodies the increasing paranoia of the time about the dangers of coffee addiction: some believed it rendered women sterile and should be banned.

French Roast earned its name because the French adopted long roasting times to burn away the unappealing bitterness of African robusta, a common import from their former colonies.

Before the 1600s, coffee was an Arab monopoly, its secrets jealously guarded. Foreigners were forbidden from coffee farms and the beans were exported only after destroying their germinating potential.

The English nicknamed 17th century coffeehouses "penny universities". For the one penny admission, visitors could spend a good, long while reading the papers and dicussing politics.