17 Best coffee books (our top picks for the best coffee book of all time + more information)

Coffee is, without a doubt, the number one beverage worldwide. For someone who wants to learn more about Coffee, you may wonder, “what are the best coffee books?” read on to find out.

Being a coffee lover, I have always wanted to know the origin of this delicious beverage, how it was first prepared, and the various modification processes it has passed through. To gain more knowledge about Coffee, I researched the best books in stores near me. Since then, I have gained a broad understanding of Coffee as a coffee enthusiast. In this article, I will be listing my 17 top best coffee books you should read and where you can buy from.

Here are 17 top best coffee books you should read:

• Onward: How Starbucks Fought for its life without losing its soul by Howard Schultz
• The Craft and Science of Coffee by Britta Folmer
• The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffman
• Craft Coffee: A Manual by Jessica Easto
• Coffee Obsession by Anette Moldvaer
• The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee by James Freeman
• I love Coffee! Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks by Susan Zimmer
• The Devil’s Cup by Stewart Lee Allen
• Brewing Justice by Daniel Jaffee
• Coffee Art by Dhan Tamang
• I know Coffee by Jessica Simms
• Everything But Espresso by Scott Rao
• Starting your coffee shop by Jessica Simms
• God in a cup: The Obsessive quest for the Perfect Coffee by Michaele Weissman
• Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast
• You Get So Alone at Times That It Just Makes Sense by Charles Bukowski
• The Birth of Coffee by Linda Rice Lorenzetti

Where to buy coffee books

There are different places from which you can buy these coffee books. First, you can buy any of the coffee books we list from Amazon. You can place your order online, and the book will be shipped to your location. The next place you can buy these coffee books from any website that sells secondhand books. You can look online for any website or store that deals with second-sale books and make your purchase. Lastly, you can buy coffee books from a thrift bookstore. Books sold at these stores are cheaper than other stores, and I highly recommend you buy from them.

How we choose the best coffee books

We have chosen the books listed below by considering several factors. First, we choose the best-selling books according to their content and how they relate to the daily coffee consumer. As we all know, Coffee is the leading most consumed beverage, meaning that a more significant percentage of people worldwide use it. A practical coffee book will give the reader an insight into how Coffee is planted to the time it is harvested and ready for sale. It will also provide the reader with simple steps and guidelines on selecting the best coffee quality and brewing a perfect cup of Coffee.

17 Best coffee books

Onward: How Starbucks Fought for its life without losing its soul by Howard Schultz

If you are a lover of the Starbucks coffee company, consider reading this fantastic book by Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz. Having run a successful coffee company, Howard talks about Coffee in-depth and the responsibility of ensuring you come up with the best quality coffee for your business.

Suppose you also want to run a coffee business someday. In that case, this book will be of help as Howard also talks about how he was able to reinvent the Starbucks coffee chain after eight years of being out of work and how he has managed to keep the culture part of this company and the finance part on the track. You can order this book here.

The Craft and Science of Coffee by Britta Folmer

This is one of the best coffee books you will ever get on the market. Dr. Britta Folmer, a Coffee Science Manager at Nestle Nespresso, has a broad knowledge of Coffee, which he writes about in this book. This book consists of the view of Coffee from the people who plant it to those who consume it. It also covers the views and knowledge of baristas worldwide to academics who have deeply studied Coffee. It also covers the opinion of experts who have spent most of their lives researching and examining Coffee, from the time it is planted to the time it is packed for consumption. The craft and Science of Coffee also cover the impact of Coffee on the economic world. This is one of the most expensive coffee books on the market, but trust me, it is entirely worth it. You can order this book here.

The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffman

The best thing about Coffee is that it comes in different types and varieties, depending on the production method and roasting techniques. James Hoffman writes about the significant characteristics of coffees from different worlds, including Zambia, Bolivia, and many others in this book.

The author explains the different flavors found in Coffee and the key differences to note. He also describes how each Coffee is made unique from how it is grown and roasted. The world atlas of Coffee is the best option for a coffee book if you want to learn Coffee’s history and diversity while giving you enough knowledge on what you are consuming. You can order this book here.

Craft Coffee: A Manual by Jessica Easto

Craft coffee is a simple coffee book that gives you all the manuals you need to make the best Coffee in the world. Through this book, Jessica Easto takes us back to the basics of our favorite beverage as she explains to use all the steps we need to make the perfect Coffee from our kitchen counter. This book does not include any espresso preparation manual; you should try and find a different coffee book for that. You can order this book here.

Coffee Obsession by Anette Moldvaer

The coffee obsession coffee book by Anette Moldvaer is another exciting one you should check out. This one of the most straightforward coffee books any reader can understand, as it explains the concept of Coffee from A to Z. Anette has comprehensive knowledge of Coffee, as she is an international coffee judge and a world cup coffee tasting champion.

Anette writes about some things that show the quality of Coffee, how the storage of Coffee affects the quality of the Coffee, how the grinding process of Coffee is essential, and why milk matters in the coffee world. This book also talks about the various equipment used around the world in the production of Coffee and different recipes one can use to make different kinds of Coffee. The Coffee Obsession coffee book is perfect for any barista looking to upgrade their skills. You can order this book here.

The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee by James Freeman

The Blue Bottle Coffee Roasters wrote this coffee book in Oakland, California. The author, James Freeman, takes pride in explaining in primary language some steps you can use to brew the best quality coffee. He also writes about Coffee’s history and gives some tutorials on improving your cup of Coffee.

If you are an upcoming barista or want to learn how to make different types of Coffee, this book is a perfect choice. This book will teach you how to make Turkish, Siphon, Nel Drip, and espresso coffee. You can order this book here.

I love Coffee! Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks by Susan Zimmer

For lovers of different coffee-based drinks, the I love coffee book is the perfect choice you should consider when buying any coffee book. This book will teach you how to make any espresso and Coffee drink through Susan’s straightforward recipes. Additionally, she lists different holiday and seasonal coffee drinks you should try out, making Coffee adventurous. You can order this book here.

The Devil’s Cup by Stewart Lee Allen

One of the most influential coffee book authors, Stewart Lee Allen, pours his heart out in this coffee book as he goes a mile beyond to visit different coffee icon cafes to know how Coffee has evolved over the years. Stewart also notes his experience in other hidden villages where Coffee originated and how it has shaped the history of Coffee. This book will benefit you if you are more curious about Coffee and its history. You can order this book here.

Brewing Justice by Daniel Jaffee

The brewing justice is a different kind of coffee book as it investigates deeply the economic, environmental, and social dynamics surrounding Fair Trade. This organization runs the trade of Coffee. This book is special and unique as it gives the reader an insight into the different things that happen to the coffee market before being easily found in the nearest store. You can order this book here.

Coffee Art by Dhan Tamang

The coffee art is an exciting coffee book perfectly written to help those who want to learn more about making Coffee from the comfort of their home. The author, Dhan Tamang, is a renowned latte artist who gives the perfect steps and basic skills to make the best Coffee. This book also explains how you can make the best coffee art to wow your guests. You can order this book here.

I know Coffee by Jessica Simms.

Jessica Simms is the author of this fantastic coffee book, and she takes the reader through everything they need to know about Coffee, from when it is planted to when it is packaged and ready for sale. The first few chapters of this book explain in depth some of the coffee varieties found worldwide and different types of coffees grown in other regions of the world.

Jessica also covers the process of harvesting, processing, and drying Coffee and how these three processes affect the end product. This book fits anyone who wants to learn more about Coffee, is a barista, or is a coffee business owner. You can order this book here.

Everything But Espresso by Scott Rao

This is another good coffee book you should read, as the author Scott focuses on the ratios and good measurement of good Coffee. This book is essential to any coffee lover, especially if you don’t know about this beverage, as it guides you on the measurement and ratios to use, enabling you to come up with the best Coffee you will ever brew. You can order this book here.

Starting your coffee shop by Jessica Simms

Jessica Simms is among the best coffee book authors, and this book shows it. This book was written to help anyone interested in starting their own coffee business but needs to know its basics. Through this book, one will learn all the basics required to run a coffee business, from planning to marketing the product.

The ‘Starting your coffee shop’ book also covers the critical challenges you may encounter as a coffee shop owner and the right coffee equipment you can invest in. overall, this is a good business for anyone considering starting any business and a coffee drinker in general. You can order this book here.

God in a cup: The Obsessive quest for the Perfect Coffee by Michaele Weissman

This coffee book was published in 2008 and has remained among the industry’s best-selling coffee books. This coffee book focuses on explaining the different varieties of coffee beans and their impact on the world. Although it is just Coffee, this beverage plays a huge role in the world’s economy, as most countries and states grow it as the main crop. You can order this book here.

Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast

This coffee book focuses on Coffee’s history, economics, and anthropology. This book is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who love researching the history of Coffee and understanding all that surrounds this loved bean. The uncommon grounds coffee book is among the first coffee books ever published, as it was first released in 1999. Years later, it is still among the selling coffee books. You can order this book here.

You Get So Alone at Times That It Just Makes Sense by Charles Bukowski

This is a unique coffee book that is different from the rest of the standard regular books, as it was written by the poet Charles, who speaks on the strength of a robust black coffee as he reflects on his past and surroundings. This book is perfect for anyone who loves to read something while sipping their morning or evening coffee on that lazy day. You can order this book here.

The Birth of Coffee by Linda Rice Lorenzetti

The birth of Coffee is a fantastic book that details how the process of making Coffee starts to the time you can enjoy it from your favorite cup. The author of this book compiles different information about Coffee, from her documentation of other coffee producers around the world to the packaging and the shipment process. This book also contains beautiful images of Coffee photographed by Daniel Lorenzetti during different stages of production. You can order this book here.

FAQ Section

What is the oldest coffee book?

The Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast is the oldest coffee book, published in 1999.

Which coffee book is the best for beginners?

The best coffee book for beginners is the Craft Coffee book, which contains all the manuals for making Coffee written by Jessica Easto.

Is there a coffee recipe book for aspiring baristas?

There are several good coffee books for aspiring baristas, including The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee by James Freeman and The Professional Barista’s Handbook by Scott Rao.