Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying by Kenneth Davis

Reviewed by: Doreen Luff

Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying. By Kenneth Davis.

Kenneth Davids states that coffee should be "drunk well and deliberately." I didn't realize how true that statement was until I read this book and started roasting my own coffee. Coffee should be savored and experienced. There are so many different things going on in a single cup of coffee, but no one really takes the time to pick out the different flavors. But, who can really blame us? After all, even on the weekends, everyone is so busy in their lives and a cup of coffee just becomes that -- a cup of coffee. Just another beverage to take with us as we work and play. But, it is so much more than that.

As described in his book, different coffees have different flavors. For example, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, one of my personal favorites, has a fruity or floral taste and aroma about it. Coffees from Brazil have a chocolaty flavor. Other coffees, have a nutty, woody, or carmelly flavors. Every coffee that you drink has its own unique flavors.

Brewing whole bean coffee can help the flavors come out. Getting whole bean coffee and brewing it that day is the best way to experience the differences in the coffee. Just smelling the coffee when it is first poured in the cup, can entice your senses. It can actually make you want that second cup.

Mr. Davids also explains the names of the coffees. He tells us that the names come from where the coffee was grown and what the grade of the coffee is. For example, Kenya AA is coffee that orginated in Kenya and the double A is that coffee's grade or quality of it.

The Author gives a lot of great information on equipment that he recommends and advice on how to roast, brew, and even make espresso.