Coffee and Tea Books
Coffee Books
POUR YOUR HEART INTO IT: HOW STARBUCKS BUILT A COMPANY ONE CUP AT A TIME
Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, and writer-researcher Dori Yang trace the growth and development of Starbucks from a single store in Seattle that started out in 1973 by selling only dark-roasted coffee beans, to the international business it has become today. Schultz does not conceal his passion for good coffee or for his company. His initial goals were to introduce Americans to really fine coffee, provide people with a "third place" to gather, and treat his employees with dignity.
While I worked there for over 13 years, thus also have a deep passion for it, I'm not the only one who loves this book -- it has over 130 comments on its Amazon page with a rating of over four stars.
UNCOMMON GROUNDS: A History of the World According to Coffee
Mark Pendergrast approaches this history of the green bean, from its birth to the coffee advertising industry, with the zeal of an addict. Another highly rated book on coffee.
DEVIL'S CUP; COFFEE, THE DRIVING FORCE IN HISTORY
Chef-turned-journalist Stewart Allens book is a thoroughly entertaining, absorbing, and often hilarious jaunt through the history and geography of coffee.
MAKING YOUR OWN GOURMET COFFEE DRINKS: ESPRESSOS, CAPPUCCINOS, LATTES, MOCHAS, AND MORE!
When you tire of the recipes I provide, then check this book out for some more.
STARBUCKS PASSION FOR COFFEE
Written by legend Dave Olsen who searched the world for great and exotic coffee when Starbucks was still in its infancy.
Tea Books
After a few morning cups of coffee, I normally turn to tea, mostly green tea, in the afternoon.
THE NEW TEA COMPANION
Jane Pettigrew and Bruce Richardson's full-color book on everything you need to know about tea, including: a history of tea cultivation and consumption around the world; discussions of growing, processing, tasting and blending tea; and tips on making and serving tea at home. Includes detailed information and brewing instructions for over 120 teas.
The Green Tea Book
Lester Mitscher and Victoria Toews explore the green tea's health claims (note to the chronically anxious: 125 cups of tea at one sitting constitutes a fatal dosage).
BOOK OF GREEN TEA
Diana Rosen with another "everything you ever wanted to know about green tea."