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The Coffee Dictionary: An A-Z of Coffee, from Growing & Roasting to Brewing & Tasting
Here is the ultimate Arabica to Zambia guide to all things coffee. Informative and handily sized, this eminently giftable package covers everything that goes into brewing the perfect cup. There's something new to learn on every page! More than 200 entries, colorfully illustrated with artwork throughout, expertly explain everything from terms and techniques, beans and roasts, to equipment and methods. Newbies and connoisseurs will while away the hours "pouring" over the amazing amount of information in this chic and essential reference—a perfect brew for coffee lovers!
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 17, 2017
161 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 24, 2019
Simply amazing. The book itself is stunning with lots of little illustrations spread throughout the book. Each subject goes very nicely in depth but not to the point where it becomes long and boring to read. I am seriously impressed with the build quality and overall presentation of this book. This is a must have for anyone who loves coffee or is just trying to get into making it and learning about it.
October 28, 2018
While I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in getting into coffee as more than a caffeine delivery source, I give it 3 stars instead of 5 because there's a limit to its helpfulness.
Who this book is useful for: People who are interested in coffee from plant to tasting, but have been overwhelmed by the vocabulary swirling around the coffee culture communities. I guess if I needed to draw a comparison, it's sort of like going to wikipedia to start a research paper on a topic you know very little about. The wiki gives you an overview, helps you figure out what you don't know and need to, and then you move on to finding more specific sources with your questions in hand.
This book helps you figure out what questions you have so that you can find more information elsewhere.
It really is a dictionary, where you might actually be looking for an encyclopedia. I actually was not expecting the word "dictionary" to be so literal, because it so rarely is. While there is sometimes elaboration, it often cuts off before it gets too technical. This isn't to say it isn't useful, because it is, but again--for every question answered, 3 more were raised, and I had to flipflipflip to see if it was answered in this particular book.
Side note, the illustrations are simple but beautiful. Illustrators really don't get enough credit in reviews.
Who this book is useful for: People who are interested in coffee from plant to tasting, but have been overwhelmed by the vocabulary swirling around the coffee culture communities. I guess if I needed to draw a comparison, it's sort of like going to wikipedia to start a research paper on a topic you know very little about. The wiki gives you an overview, helps you figure out what you don't know and need to, and then you move on to finding more specific sources with your questions in hand.
This book helps you figure out what questions you have so that you can find more information elsewhere.
It really is a dictionary, where you might actually be looking for an encyclopedia. I actually was not expecting the word "dictionary" to be so literal, because it so rarely is. While there is sometimes elaboration, it often cuts off before it gets too technical. This isn't to say it isn't useful, because it is, but again--for every question answered, 3 more were raised, and I had to flipflipflip to see if it was answered in this particular book.
Side note, the illustrations are simple but beautiful. Illustrators really don't get enough credit in reviews.
November 26, 2018
I love books that are enlightening in a kind way. The mini encyclopedia The Coffee Dictionary, written by renowned British barista and innovator Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, is a perfect example of this. I met Maxwell a month ago when we were both speakers at the Wave Coffee Conference 2018. He sparked my interest through his evidence-based approach to research on the physical processes in coffee production, grinding and extraction, that he was doing in collaboration with scientists from well-known universities. In The Coffee Dictionary he explains everything important around coffee from growing & roasting to brewing & tasting without going into boring details. Even the longest entries have no more than 250 words. Thanks to this, the book is briskly paced, concentrated and rich in taste — just like a perfect cup of espresso! It is an excellent publication, that I will undoubtedly go back to again and again.
August 5, 2018
ชอบภาพประกอบในหนังสือมากๆ
January 15, 2024
An A to Z introduction to coffee . Highly recommended read for all lovers of this fantastic brew
March 14, 2021
How do you review a dictionary? I'm going to try.
Its quite hard to review this book, whilst I enjoyed it - and definitely learnt alot about coffee; from the plant all the way to the countries and cultures intrinsically linked to this beverage, the format grated on me after a while. I suppose that is the issue with dictionaries.
I loved the knowledge contained, and the illustrations that go along with this book are beautiful, I think I would rather read a book on the history and the culture around coffee - more so than a dictionary. Even an encyclopaedia, I would of enjoyed more.
I did like, that it didn't just touch on the beverage, but also from Countries all over the world including those who grow, and who consume.
It's got some very useful information, but if you are looking for story, you won't find it here.
Its quite hard to review this book, whilst I enjoyed it - and definitely learnt alot about coffee; from the plant all the way to the countries and cultures intrinsically linked to this beverage, the format grated on me after a while. I suppose that is the issue with dictionaries.
I loved the knowledge contained, and the illustrations that go along with this book are beautiful, I think I would rather read a book on the history and the culture around coffee - more so than a dictionary. Even an encyclopaedia, I would of enjoyed more.
I did like, that it didn't just touch on the beverage, but also from Countries all over the world including those who grow, and who consume.
It's got some very useful information, but if you are looking for story, you won't find it here.
April 21, 2023
Simply written without being dumbed down 🙌
Brevity of technical specifications and inclusion of small first hand anecdotes make this an enjoyable cover to cover read, as well as a beautifully illustrated coffee table book to be referenced!
Brevity of technical specifications and inclusion of small first hand anecdotes make this an enjoyable cover to cover read, as well as a beautifully illustrated coffee table book to be referenced!
March 15, 2022
Hermoso acercamiento <3
June 6, 2021
A coffee dictionary, encomprising terms from different areas of coffee, from brewing methods to characteristics of different origins.
Ever since I started becoming interested in the field of specialty coffee (or third-wave coffee as Maxwell calls it), I had been wanting to read a book on coffee, and after seeing this one in different local coffee shops I decided to read, and deeply enjoyed reading this book with my cup of locally roasted coffee.
I liked the format of dictionary because it works well as an introduction, and because later you can easily re-read specific terms. I also loved the illustrations but I am a bit disappointed that the illustrator is not getting enough credit for the work they made because their work is simple, cute, and a perfect example of what Maxwell is explaining in the book.
Some drawbacks from this book are that in terms of syntax, some entries of the dictionary where not too well written, and I think the editor of this book should have spotted that before it was printed. Additionally, some entries seemed better developed than others.
Ever since I started becoming interested in the field of specialty coffee (or third-wave coffee as Maxwell calls it), I had been wanting to read a book on coffee, and after seeing this one in different local coffee shops I decided to read, and deeply enjoyed reading this book with my cup of locally roasted coffee.
I liked the format of dictionary because it works well as an introduction, and because later you can easily re-read specific terms. I also loved the illustrations but I am a bit disappointed that the illustrator is not getting enough credit for the work they made because their work is simple, cute, and a perfect example of what Maxwell is explaining in the book.
Some drawbacks from this book are that in terms of syntax, some entries of the dictionary where not too well written, and I think the editor of this book should have spotted that before it was printed. Additionally, some entries seemed better developed than others.
December 27, 2022
My brother kindly gifted this charming book to me this Christmas, and despite its A-Z dictionary format, I found it a real page-turner.
As someone who has worked in the speciality coffee industry for about three years collectively, one still remains to stumble amongst the the many, seemingly nebulous terms within the exciting and ever-growing third-wave coffee scene.
This book offers lovely illustrations alongside digestible descriptions of terms I hear on most of my shifts, and serves as a great tool for training staff I work alongside, or as a gift for a coffee lover you may want to treat.
As someone who has worked in the speciality coffee industry for about three years collectively, one still remains to stumble amongst the the many, seemingly nebulous terms within the exciting and ever-growing third-wave coffee scene.
This book offers lovely illustrations alongside digestible descriptions of terms I hear on most of my shifts, and serves as a great tool for training staff I work alongside, or as a gift for a coffee lover you may want to treat.
June 30, 2024
Quite informative for a girl who never drinks coffee like me. Coffee is popular because it gives you caffeine. Now I know that Vietnam (as a 2nd largest coffee supplier worldwide who affects the coffee price significantly) grows mostly Robusta, not Arabica. Espresso originates from Italy, Americano is a variant invented by the Americans to dilute it. Phin is something typical only in Vietnam for now. Other countries use other kind of press pot/plunger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2019
I didn't realize this book was literally an A-Z definition guide and not dictionary like some books call themselves that are more guide books.
While the definitions are simplistic, I was hoping for more. For example, Zambia gets defined as a country, but there's no real explaining what makes a latte a latte. It's a straight forward explanation of common coffee terms and brewing techniques.
While the definitions are simplistic, I was hoping for more. For example, Zambia gets defined as a country, but there's no real explaining what makes a latte a latte. It's a straight forward explanation of common coffee terms and brewing techniques.
October 27, 2025
Good insights
I was a bit doubtful to buy a "dictionary". But it reads well and found very interesting original informations that are generally not in the coffee literature I usually put my hands on.
I was a bit doubtful to buy a "dictionary". But it reads well and found very interesting original informations that are generally not in the coffee literature I usually put my hands on.
July 30, 2018
Informational and well-written, buy I often found myself eager to know more. Some repetitions, but hard to avoid in that format.
March 10, 2019
Great format, gorgeous illustrations and tons of useful info.
April 13, 2020
I love the illustrations in the book. I also learned a lot of technical terms relating to coffee.
January 29, 2022
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August 6, 2022
Good info about coffee.
November 7, 2022
Useful information for sure and lovely illustrations but the format inherent to a dictionary (A-Z) made the flow somewhat erratic
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October 23, 2023Beautiful illustrations. I read it almost everyday while visiting my favourite coffee shop
May 15, 2025
What a good way to learn about coffee! Very easy to read. I read it cover to cover, enjoying the different aspects of coffee. Worth a read if you start to have an interest in the area
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews