How to Make Really Good Coffee - 2014 Edition product reviews

A self confessed coffee addict I was actually quite amazed after reading this book how little I actually knew about my daily brew! This gem of a book begins with the coffee tree and describes the tree and how and where it is grown and the beans produced. The process of picking, all the way through to flavours are determined and then roasted, blended and stored are explained. Then the book describes with colour illustrations the different ways of preparing coffee correctly and how to ensure you are using the best beans/grounds. The colour illustration's are absolutely fantastic and take you photo by photo through the steps to correctly use a plunger, aeropress (two ways of preparing), coffee filter, stove top espresso, and an espresso machine.

I love the chapter on espresso extraction and how to get the best from your machine and your grounds as well as how to froth (texture) and pour your milk correctly. The book has recipes with diagrams and photos for how many of the popular types of coffee should be prepared. There is also a section for cleaning your espresso machine, trouble shooting problems and a glossary. For a book that seems very small this contains an amazing amount of information and is the equivalent of a beginners bible to coffee preparation.

I have to say that this is a book that everyone who drinks coffee should read. I have learnt so much and am already making myself much improved coffee as a result. I can't believe how much I didn't know and how many things I was doing wrong when preparing coffee using some of the described methods. I love that the book is ring bound and each page is thick glossy card. This makes it easy to read and to use. I can't fault this book and all I need now is a very fancy espresso machine (such as the Rocket R58 Espresso Machine) and I will never need to go to a cafe ever again.

This book is a perfect gift for a coffee fiend and an absolute must if you want to learn about coffee and how to get the best from whatever contraption you use to extract your beverage. Keep this in mind for your Christmas gift list this year as it is guaranteed to be a well appreciated gift.