Essential Coffee Knowledge Guide | Complete Guide to Coffee Basics_Coffee Varieties and Characteristics

When it comes to learning about coffee, there are actually entry points everywhere in daily life. You can search for information online, such as reading FrontStreet Coffee's articles, or you can go to coffee shops to interact and communicate with baristas, or watch a coffee-related movie. Of course, if you want to achieve a "quick learning" effect in a short time, spending money to enroll in a class is also an option.

But no matter which path you choose to get started, as long as you have the ambition to become a professional barista one day, reading is naturally indispensable. A good coffee book can not only lead us more easily into the interesting world of coffee but also answer the difficult questions encountered during hands-on practice; and a suitable good coffee book is even more helpful for us to efficiently consolidate our basic coffee knowledge framework and more scientifically understand the delicious beverage in our hands.

Next, FrontStreet Coffee, drawing from its exclusive collection book list, will provide a comprehensive overview from beginner to advanced level of those good books suitable for coffee enthusiasts to read carefully and worth acquiring for learning.

Basic Coffee Book List

"You Don't Know Coffee"

Author: Shiwa Isseki

This is a picture book that FrontStreet Coffee read before becoming a barista. The content is quite suitable for beginners and is known as "a must-read classic for coffee lovers." The author provides a relatively comprehensive introduction to the origin and making of coffee. The knowledge in the book is easy to understand, and it includes many hand-drawn illustrations, making it even more enjoyable to read.

"The World Atlas of Coffee" (Second Edition)

Author: James Hoffmann

Friends who frequently visit coffee shops should often see this book. It was written by James Hoffmann, the 2007 WBC champion. The book comprehensively covers knowledge related to coffee beans and includes introductions to major coffee-producing countries across three continents. It's a reference book that can be consulted at any time and is also suitable for people who already have a certain basic understanding and knowledge of coffee to use as a tool to fill knowledge gaps.

"Maruyama Coffee's Specialty Coffee Studies"

Author: Shibata Shoten

As the founder of Maruyama Coffee, Kentaro Maruyama has proactively delved deep into coffee planting areas since entering the industry, connecting with the source of specialty coffee and pioneering a business model of direct trade with farmers. This book is not thick; it mainly introduces how Maruyama Coffee implements the "seed to cup" philosophy, from coffee bean procurement to baking, brewing, serving, and sales. Reading it is like watching a movie that leaves a lasting impression.

"Handmade Coffee"

Authors: Jessica Easto & Andreas Willhoff

This is a practical guide mainly focused on coffee brewing. The book is not thick and can answer many questions about extraction. Compared to other coffee reading materials, this book is more lightweight and portable.

"Home Coffee Brewing Guide"

Author: James Hoffmann

Actually, FrontStreet Coffee hasn't had this book for very long. Author Hoffmann introduces readers to the current mainstream coffee brewing methods from a professional barista's perspective, allowing you to more efficiently unlock various high-quality daily coffees at home. The language in the book is close to conversational mode, very much in his previous video style, so it won't feel boring to read.

Professional Entry and Advanced Must-Read Book List

"The Coffee Hunter" & "The Coffee Hunter 2"

Author: Xu Baolin

I believe you can tell from the title that the content of these two books must be inseparable from the planting sources of specialty coffee beans. They record the author's observations and experiences while searching for beans in Africa, Central and South America, providing readers with a close-up view of farmers' operations, experiences, and the stories behind them. The content is interesting yet professional,完全可以 serving as travelogues, suitable for every coffee professional and enthusiast to read.

"Specialty Coffee Studies" (Volume 1 & Volume 2)

Author: Huaizong Han

This book is divided into two volumes, both quite thick, and is known as the "coffee encyclopedia." It not only contains highly professional content but also a considerable amount of coffee-related knowledge, making it a must-read for industry professionals. The first volume mainly introduces the origin of the three coffee waves, a brief history of coffee, common coffee bean varieties, and major producing regions; the second volume explains in detail a series of industry content including coffee tasting, cupping, flavor wheel, and basic extraction techniques, worth reading and understanding repeatedly.

"Taguchi's Coffee Equation"

Authors: Mamoru Taguchi, Yukihiro Tanabe

This is a professional coffee book co-authored by coffee industry theorist Mamoru Taguchi and another scientist specializing in microbiology and genetics. It explains how a good cup of coffee is extracted in the form of "scientific verification + empirical rules." The only drawback is that because this book uses vertical printing, it can be somewhat difficult to read.

"Falling in Love with Pour-Over Coffee"

Authors: Mamoru Taguchi, Koichi Yamada

This book focuses on explaining the logic and techniques of pour-over coffee, very suitable for coffee enthusiasts who plan to make coffee at home or improve their brewing skills. It also uses vertical printing, so friends accustomed to horizontal printing will need some time to adjust.

"The Science of Coffee Aroma"

Author: Cui Luoyan

Many people fall deeply in love with coffee, inseparable from the aroma it emits. This book uses scientific principles to systematically explain the secrets of aroma, exploring the thousands of aromatic compounds in coffee beans, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of how aroma is produced, operates, and changes, making the flavor of specialty coffee no longer "mysticism."

Coffee Professional Development Book List

"The Fourth Wave of Specialty Coffee Studies"

Author: Huaizong Han

This should be the thickest book among all mentioned in this article, and also a coffee professional book with very high value content. The only drawback is that it's too heavy to hold while reading. At a time when the fourth wave of coffee has taken shape, the author provides in-depth interpretations from four modules: new varieties, new origins, new post-processing methods, and roasting and golden cups. It can be said that the entire book is full of valuable content.

"The Science of Coffee Roasting" & "The Science of Espresso Extraction" & "The Science of Coffee Brewing"

Author: Scott Rao

Known as the "roasting master" and also the author, Scott Rao is well-known in the industry. These books interpret the principles behind coffee roasting and brewing processes from a scientific perspective, concisely explaining coffee brewing systems. The content is concise and highly professional, targeting all coffee enthusiast groups. However, among these three books, individual chapters were edited years ago, and some details might differ from current industry practices, so we need to judge objectively when reading.

"The Physics of Coffee"

Author: Jonathan Gagné

The author of this book likes to think about the principles of coffee brewing. Starting from the perspectives of physics and water chemistry, he deeply explores issues related to coffee permeation, extraction, grinding, and other practical aspects of brewing. It's a coffee brewing book based on scientific logic, suitable for friends transitioning from enthusiasts to professionals.

Of course, in addition to the book list compiled by FrontStreet Coffee this time, there are many other good books about the coffee industry and brewing knowledge popularization, which we won't elaborate on one by one here. Finally, happy reading to everyone.

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