Barista Hustle Tools Terroir Book: An Enlightening Journey Through the World of Coffee Cultivation, From the Soil to Your Cup

by Jem Challender

Discover the remarkable journey of coffee from the seed to your cup with "Terroir, Coffee from Seed to Harvest" by Jem Challender. This book delves deep into the roots of Arabic coffee, beginning in the lush Ethiopian highlands and spanning across the diverse climates of Africa. Through expert interviews with scientists and agronomists, this guide unveils the intricate relationship between a coffee plant's genotype and the terroir that nurtures it. It highlights how climate, soil, and farming techniques converge to shape every coffee bean's unique character and taste. Dive into the complexities of farm management finances and learn actionable steps to foster a sustainable coffee crop. With "Terroir," gain a newfound appreciation and deeper insight into the world of coffee, empowering coffee enthusiasts and professionals with the knowledge to enhance their craft.

162 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Phaedon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not the intended audience for this book. The only cultivation of coffee I do is keeping one potted coffee tree alive. Other than for pure interest value, this book is intended for readers that actually have an intention to grow coffee at some sort of meaningful scale. It covers important considerations like soil, climate, elevation and protection from pathogens and explains some of the basic science that underpins successful harvests.

Terroir is a fairly short read and the language and diagrams are very clear and easy to follow. The photographs included in the book are stunning, and really add to the reading experience. The content is well-organised, though it takes some unexpected forms. For instance, the book includes verbatim interviews in question and answer format in certain sections, which is relatively unusual. Much of the information comes from individual experts, both in interview format and in more traditional distilled sections.

For those with a casual interest in understanding how coffee is grown, some of this work may feel a bit overwhelming, but those who have understood the basics of the coffee supply chain may find it a valuable addition to their knowledge. For anyone involved in coffee farming, this will no doubt be a valuable resource.

[Grace B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think another book like this exists on the market. It felt a little bit like an article or a research paper, but I guess that’s hard to avoid with so much statistical data. The photos are beautiful, the information was definitely new to me, so it had my interest peaked.

It’s not per se a coffee table book (heh) but I’m sure all the weird coffee people (like me) have it there right next to James Hoffman’s World Atlas of Coffee.