A Rich and Tantalizing Brew: A History of How Coffee Connected the World

Food and Foodways

by Jeanette M. Fregulia

The history of coffee is much more than the tale of one luxury good—it is a lens through which to consider various strands of world history, from food and foodways to religion and economics and sociocultural dynamics. A Rich and Tantalizing Brew traces the history of coffee from its cultivation and brewing first as a private pleasure in the highlands of Ethiopia and Yemen through its emergence as a sought-after public commodity served in coffeehouses first in the Muslim world, and then traveling across the Mediterranean to Italy, to other parts of Europe, and finally to India and the Americas. At each of these stops the brew gathered ardent aficionados and vocal critics, all the while reshaping patterns of socialization. Taking its conversational tone from the chats often held over a steaming cup, A Rich and Tantalizing Brew offers a critical and entertaining look at how this bitter beverage, with a little help from the tastes that traveled with it—chocolate, tea, and sugar—has connected people to each other both within and outside of their typical circles, inspiring a new context for sharing news, conducting business affairs, and even plotting revolution.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

193 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2019

Reviews

[Teresa Rokas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what ai thought it was going to be. It was mostly about trade roots. I did learn sone things from this, but it was written in such a dry and boring manner.

[Jc Cadiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

From historical accounts of how coffee trade linked civilizations across the Mediterranean and the Silk Road, to how coffeehouses served as a kindle for the masses seeking revolution, this short title accounts how coffee linked and continues to link people as an agent of socialization and globalization.

While some parts are a bit too detailed for my attention span's liking, the book offers any reader interested in coffee a concise historical and sociological look into how the world's most popular drink continues to transform human history through food and culture. (4.2)

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books tells interesting and fascinating history of coffee which has relatively short written history compared with other food crops. But being throughly scholastic, it was not an easy read over a cup of coffee.