Book Review - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee and Tea

Are you a big fan of coffee and/or tea? If so, you'll delight in the opportunity to learn more about your favorite beverages by reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee and Tea. Written for true aficionados of coffee and tea, this book starts out by giving a detailed history of coffee, from it's origins to its current status as one of the most popular and widely enjoyed beverages in the world. You'll also find a complete history of tea in the second part of the book.

According to this book, an estimated 500 billion cups are consumed worldwide on an annual basis, which events out to about 1.3 billion cups a day. My coffee drinking habit doesn't seem so bad when considered from a global perspective! This booked is packed with interesting facts and tidbits of information about coffee and tea. For example, I was interested to learn that coffee grows in more than 53 countries around the world. I had no idea that coffee growing was so widespread.

Throughout the book, you'll learn about different types of coffees and teas, including what makes different varieties unique. If you've often wondered just what it is that separates Oolongs from green, white, and black teas, you'll wonder no more once you've read this book! You'll also learn tips for preparing your favorite coffee and tea beverages, and catch glimpses into how the beverages are enjoyed across all corners of the world.

The final chapter of the book ends with a discussion of the move toward certified organic coffees and teas, as well as the principles of fair trade farming as they apply to these popular beverages. Additional information is included about the health issues surrounding coffee and tea consumption based on current research into both types of beverages.

All in all, this book is an enjoyable read. If you love your coffee and tea and you're interested in learning more about the warm beverages that you enjoy so much, this book is sure to appeal to you. It's best enjoyed, of course, when you're curled up on your sofa with a steaming cup of your favorite beverage!

About the Authors:

The co-authors of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee and Tea are Travis Arndorfer and Kristine Hansen. Both authors have extensive experience writing about coffee and tea. Additionally, Arndorfer is employed by a specialty coffee and tea retailer. Hansen also writes about pastries and wine for a variety of publications.