8 Recommended Introductory Books on Coffee
Drip coffee every morning, a cup ordered at a cafe, takeout from a convenience store—coffee is a beverage that has completely blended into our daily lives. However, have you ever felt like you don't really understand the differences between bean varieties, wondered where to start if you want to brew it yourself, or wanted to know how to make it taste even better?
When you feel that way, an introductory book on coffee is a reliable resource. From the basics of beans to tips on brewing, characteristics of production regions, and even the history and science of coffee, reading just one book can broaden your world.
In this article, we have carefully selected eight introductory books that we can highly recommend, from those just starting to take an interest in coffee to those who want to learn a little more deeply. We have chosen a balanced selection, ranging from accessible books rich in illustrations to substantial reads that approach 'deliciousness' from a scientific perspective. Pick up a book that catches your eye and take your first step into the deep world of coffee.
"Coffee is Fun!" by Sébastien Racineux and Chung-Leng Tran (PIE International)
This is the first book we would like you to pick up as an introduction to coffee. It is the Japanese version of a coffee guidebook published in France, and it is filled with beautiful and stylish illustrations throughout. It is truly a book that is 'fun just to look at.'
The author, Sébastien Racineux, is a barista trainer active in France and has a reputation for explaining the basics of coffee in a way that is easy for beginners to understand. This book covers all themes related to coffee in a balanced manner, including types of coffee beans, production regions, differences in roast levels, various extraction methods, and the basics of tasting.
What is particularly appealing is how the power of visuals allows you to intuitively understand complex information. For example, information that is difficult to convey with text alone, such as the difference between espresso and drip coffee or the difference in flavor depending on the bean processing method, is vividly expressed through illustrations and diagrams. Even those with zero knowledge of coffee will be able to grasp the overall picture of coffee naturally just by flipping through the pages.
This is the perfect book for those who think, 'I'm interested in coffee, but a stiff explanatory book is a bit...' After reading it, your eye for choosing coffee will surely change, and your usual cup will become even more enjoyable.
"Illustrated Coffee Freshman" by Tetsu Kasuya (Sanctuary Publishing)
'I want to be able to tell the difference between coffees'—this is a book that thoroughly supports that simple wish. The author, Tetsu Kasuya, is a barista who was the first Asian to win the 'World Brewers Cup,' a world championship for drip coffee. He breaks down his solid knowledge and experience from a beginner's perspective.
The biggest feature of this book is its structure, which makes heavy use of loose, cute manga and diagrams. Coffee bean characters appear and explain the individuality of the beans and the differences in production regions in an easy-to-understand dialogue format. It will serve as a guide for those who 'always drink the same coffee but want to try something different once in a while' to find their favorite beans.
The content summarizes the information that beginners want to know without omission, such as the differences in taste depending on the coffee bean variety and production region, how to choose the roast level, and tips for brewing delicious coffee. It uses everyday language as much as possible without using technical terms, so even those who are not good at reading can read through it smoothly.
A Kindle version is also available, which is a nice point that allows you to read it easily on your smartphone or tablet. As a first step into the world of coffee, it is a book with a low hurdle that is still practical.
"It Tastes Better When You Know the Reason! A Textbook for Enjoying Coffee" supervised by Hidenori Izaki (Natsumesha)
This is an introductory book supervised by Hidenori Izaki, who won the World Barista Championship in 2014 and became the first Japanese world champion barista. The insights of Mr. Izaki, who often appears on television and in magazines, are packed into this one book.
As the title 'If you know the reason' suggests, this book focuses on the 'why' of coffee's deliciousness. Why does this brewing method make it taste good? Why does the way the beans are ground change the flavor? Why does the same bean have a different flavor depending on the extraction method? It unravels the world of coffee, which tends to be talked about intuitively, in a logical and easy-to-understand way.
Stylish illustrations are used frequently, making it a composition that can also be enjoyed visually. From how to choose coffee beans, how to choose tools, and basic brewing methods to specialized extraction techniques, you can learn step-by-step, so the appeal is that you can put it into practice from the day you read it.
It also includes recipes and tips recommended by the world's best barista, so it is a highly practical book that you will want to pick up and check again and again, fitting for the name 'textbook.' We recommend it to those who want to upgrade their coffee time at home.
"Latest Edition: The Complete Coffee Bible" supervised by Kentaro Maruyama (Natsumesha)
Supervised by Kentaro Maruyama, the representative of Maruyama Coffee, who has toured coffee production regions around the world and produced numerous barista champions, this is a book truly worthy of the name 'Complete Bible.' In this latest edition, which has been significantly updated from the old version, the trends of specialty coffee in recent years and information on the latest extraction equipment are also reflected.
With a massive volume of 287 pages, this book covers every topic related to coffee, including how to brew it, bean varieties and origins, basic knowledge of roasting, storage methods, arrangement recipes, and even how to draw latte art. A major point is that it is easy to understand visually, as it makes generous use of photos and illustrations.
The feature of this book is that you can learn 'broadly and reasonably deeply' in one volume. It answers most of the questions that beginners have at first, and even those who are somewhat knowledgeable about coffee will likely find new discoveries, thinking, 'I didn't know this.' If you keep it at hand, it will become a reliable reference whenever you buy beans, choose equipment, or try a new brewing method.
There is also a Kindle version, so you can refer to it anytime, anywhere. It is a classic introductory book that I can confidently recommend when asked, 'If I could only choose one book, what should it be?'
"Introduction to Your First Home Cafe: Specialty Coffee to Enjoy at Home" by Taizo Iwasaki (Mynavi Publishing)
This is a practical guidebook for enjoying coffee at home by Taizo Iwasaki, who has gained popularity as a coffee-themed YouTuber. The author, who calls himself a 'man who loves coffee too much,' conveys the charm of home cafes in abundance.
Perhaps because of his experience as a YouTuber, the clarity of his explanations is outstanding. Not only the basic knowledge of coffee but also the specific steps for brewing authentic coffee easily at home are carefully introduced along with photos. Even those who pick up a dripper for the first time will be able to brew a delicious cup properly if they follow the steps in this book.
A unique aspect of this book is that it introduces the author's experiences of actually visiting coffee-producing regions around the world, complete with photos of the local areas. By touching on the scenery of the production areas and the lives of the people, you can feel the story behind the coffee more closely. It also touches on pairing coffee with food, and is packed with tips to make your usual coffee time even richer.
A Kindle version is available, so bringing a tablet into the kitchen and brewing coffee while checking the recipes is also a recommended way to use it.
"The Science of Coffee: Where Does 'Deliciousness' Come From?" by Yukihiro Tanbe (Kodansha Blue Backs)
This is a book that approaches the 'deliciousness' of coffee from a scientific perspective, which is a bit different from the books introduced so far. The author, Yukihiro Tanbe, is a researcher at Shiga University of Medical Science, and he thoroughly analyzes the components of coffee and the process of flavor generation based on scientific papers.
As expected from Kodansha's Blue Backs series, the content is authentic. It delves into the 'whys' of coffee down to the molecular level, such as coffee bean varieties and genetic characteristics, chemical reactions that occur during roasting (such as the Maillard reaction and caramelization), the relationship between temperature and time in extraction and component elution, and the effects of caffeine and health.
You might brace yourself when you hear 'science book,' but because the author himself is a great coffee lover, he breaks down themes that tend to be difficult in an easy-to-understand way from the perspective of a coffee lover. There is a great intellectual excitement in the process of scientifically unraveling the identity of what you felt was 'somehow delicious.'
This is the perfect book for those who have already read several introductory books and want to 'understand it one step further.' After reading this book, you will be able to control the roasting and extraction processes more consciously.
"World History of Coffee" by Yukihiro Tanbe (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho)
This is a book by the same author as "The Science of Coffee," Yukihiro Tanbe, but this time it focuses on the 'history' of coffee. If "The Science of Coffee" is a science-based approach, this can be said to be a humanities-based approach. It unravels the grand story hidden in a single cup of coffee based on a vast amount of literature.
From the origin of coffee, which is said to have been discovered in the highlands of Ethiopia, to its spread in the Islamic world, the coffee house culture in Europe, large-scale plantations in the colonial era, and the trend of modern specialty coffee, it vividly depicts how the drink called coffee has been connected to world politics, economy, and culture in chronological order.
It also touches in detail on how coffee was introduced to Japan and how the coffee shop culture developed, making it a rewarding read for those interested in Japanese coffee history. It is easy to pick up in a new book size, yet rich in information. It is just the right volume for reading during your commute or before going to bed.
By knowing not only the taste and brewing method of coffee but also the history and culture behind it, a cup of coffee should take on an even deeper flavor. There is also a Kindle version, so you can start reading it easily.
"New Edition: THE COFFEE BOOK" by Annette Moldva, supervised by Kentaro Maruyama (Seibundo Shinkosha)
The last one I will introduce is a visual book that translates the book by Annette Moldva, a roastery owner in the UK, into Japanese under the supervision of Kentaro Maruyama, representative of Maruyama Coffee. It is the perfect book for those who want to get a broad and deep overview of the world of coffee.
A major feature of this book is the richness of information on coffee-producing regions around the world. 48 production areas are introduced with maps, and their respective flavor profiles, main varieties, and processing methods are carefully summarized. There are almost no other introductory books that contain such detailed origin information. It thoroughly satisfies the curiosity of wanting to know, 'In what country and in what environment was this bean grown?'
Another highlight is that it includes 70 coffee recipes from around the world. By learning about the many arranged coffees enjoyed in various countries, your way of enjoying coffee will expand significantly. Of course, basic content such as the history of coffee, the basics of roasting, brewing techniques, and barista skills are also covered.
With abundant photos and illustrations, this is a beautiful book that you will want to keep on your coffee table. Although the price is a bit high, it is a valuable book that you will want to keep on hand for a long time as a reference that you can refer to repeatedly.
Conclusion
In this article, I introduced 8 introductory books on coffee.
I selected various types of books, from visual-oriented introductory books with fun illustrations to reading-oriented books that delve deeper from the perspectives of science and history, but all of them are books that will make you love coffee even more.
Just by reading one book about coffee, you will change how you choose beans, start experimenting with brewing methods, and find yourself thinking about the origins. That is the interesting thing about coffee: every time your knowledge increases, your usual cup becomes richer and richer.
If there is a book that caught your interest, please pick up at least one. It will surely make your coffee time from tomorrow onwards even more enjoyable.
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