The Joy of Coffee : The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 September, 1997)
list price: $15.00
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Editorial Review

If coffee from a can or jar is your idea of purgatory, The Joy of Coffee is the book for you. Its author, Corby Kummer, originally came to the subject of coffee while writing a series of articles for the Atlantic Monthly, and he found so much to say about the bean that he decided to write a book. Kummer began with some basic questions: "What matters most in buying coffee? How can you sort through the jumble of place names and whimsical labels on beans and blends? Is a dark roast better, more sophisticated, than a light roast? Is it essential to grind coffee beans at home?" What he learned in response to these queries comprises the bulk of The Joy of Coffee.

Starting with a tour of a coffee plantation and ending in the reader's own kitchen, Kummer leads a lively and informative discussion of all phases of coffee production, from harvesting to roasting to brewing. He discusses different roasts and the different types of coffeemakers, and he even talks about caffeine consumption and methods of decaffeination that preserve the bean's flavor. At the end of The Joy of Coffee is a chapter chock full of recipes for tasty treats that either go well with coffee or include it as an ingredient. Like a great cup of Joe, The Joy of Coffee is good to the very end. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

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From a English Tea Drinker
Well, I can honestly say this book has been a God send for me. I knew absolutely nothing about Coffee before this book and drank mostly instant.I got a taste for "real" coffee by frequenting the odd Coffee House with friends. I wanted to know how I could make a delicious drink like those I purchased. Thanks to this book - I now can! This is a very interesting read and takes the reader right through from growing the beans to serving. I have since purchased an Expresso machine and my friends LOVE to have coffee at my house.I am still learning and I have received other tips to improve my brew from other books but I owe my initial success to this book.GREAT for an absolute beginner and I suspect interesting to the more experienced. Thanks Corby! I'm no longer Tea Total :-)

A good plug for La Minita, otherwise worthless
Wow, a page-filling 5.5-by-5.5 photograph of a Krups propeller mill dominates page 74. Wait, there's more: on page 116 you'll find an equally imposing photograph of a Krups steam-operated coffee maker. (There's no need for a pump, it's so clever.)

This book, essentially worthless to those interested in espresso, is completely oblivious to some famous ways of making coffee. There is no mention of café cubano and there is no mention of the traditional ways to prepare the famous Hungarian dupla.... ... Read more

Isbn: 1576300609
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    2. Coffee    3. Coffee brewing    4. Cookery (Coffee)    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Cooking / Coffee & Tea   

The vivid hues of the Monet French press will brighten up your morning toast or after-dinner coffee in style. A gleaming dome caps the traditional stainless-steel frame, and the colored handle and knob provide accent. Simply add your favorite coffee (using the handy, color-coordinated measuring scoop included), pour boiling water over, and let sit for a few minutes. Pressing the plunger with its fine mesh screen presses the grounds to the bottom, leaving rich, robust coffee ready to serve. Though pieces are top-shelf dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended. If you sometimes brew coffee for one, consider also getting a 3-cup press. --Cynthia Nims ... Read more

Features

• Measuring scoop included
• Makes 3 to 4 mugs of coffee
• Stainless-steel frame and lid with plastic handle and knob;
• Stainless-steel filter, rod, and screen
• Easy-pour spout, easy-grip handle

Asin: B00004R8Y2
Subjects:  1. French Presses    2. Coffee Presses   

DeLonghi DCG4T Deluxe Burr Coffee Grinder with Timer
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Grind as little or as much coffee as you need with this deluxe coffee grinder. Only need a couple of tablespoons? Place 2 tablespoons of coffee beans in the top bin, choose your type of grind--extra-fine for espresso, fine or medium for drip coffee, or coarse for percolator or press--and switch the timer to the number 2. Your coffee beans will be ground to your exact specifications and deposited into a bin below with tablespoon amounts printed on the side. You can grind as little as 2 tablespoons or as much as 24 tablespoons at one time. Just pull the bottom bin straight out, remove the lid, and dump the ground coffee into your coffee or espresso maker. To clean, hand wash the removable bin and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. --Doree Armstrong ... Read more

Features

• Grinds up to 24 ounces of coffee at one time
• Four settings: extra-fine, fine, medium, or coarse
• Grinds fall into removable container for easy pouring
• Hand wash removable plastic bin; wipe exterior with damp cloth
• 11-1/4 inches high by 5-3/4 inches wide

Reviews (62)

Clean and effective
This grinder is the cleanest one I've used.My only complaint was that I couldn't get me coffee fine enough for my espresso maker.That was easy to solve.I unscrewed the top, and there was a little plastic stop that kept me from adjusting the grind even finer.I filed that down within 30 seconds, and now I have unlimited adjustment to my grind!Now it's a wonderful product!

Not up to the task
Used this grinder for 2 years. The plastic wall of the grind chamber wore right through, so coffee was getting inside the machine. Customer service was no help. Spend a little more a better grinder.

I am ordering my second grinder....
After 4 years of constant use,grinding about 10# of beans monthly...sometimes more, (we love our java here)...the motor on my grinder has given up.I would too at that rate of use if I were a grinder!Therefore,I am here at Amazon,ordering my grinder for the next 4 years.If it lasted longer, it would get the full 5 stars, as I have never had any other complaints and am totally java spoiled. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RGAF
Subjects:  1. Coffee Grinders    2. (De Longhi)    3. (De Longi)    4. (Delongi)   

Krups 203-42 Fast Touch Coffee Grinder, Black
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $25.00 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Nothing beats a freshly ground, freshly brewed cuppa joe to start the day, and with this grinder, you can have up to 20 cups' worth of beans at a time. The understated black color and contemporary oval design fit in well with any kitchen décor, while the small size (just 6 inches high) doesn't take up too much premium counter space. Stainless-steel blades guarantee a long life and an even grind, whether you use this grinder for coffee, spices, nuts, or even whole grains. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Features

• Measures 6 by 3-1/6 by 3-5/9 inches; 1-year limited
• Electric grinder with 160-watt motor provides fast grinding
• Grinds up to 3 ounces of coffee beans at a time
• Oval design and stainless-steel blades ensure uniform grinding
• Also can easily be used for spices, nuts, and grains

Reviews (52)

Lasts and never dulls
I have had this coffee grinder for at least 15 years, and it grinds as well as the day I received it. The only problem with it may be that it is a little messy when you take the top off, as the coffee will stick around the top edges and sometimes I have to wipe the counter.You have complete control over the size of the grounds, and the entire amount ground is uniform in size.I'm sure I have had it even longer, and I use it every day. It is also very fast.The grinding time for a normal pot of coffee is about five seconds.Also, you never have to clean the inside, and the outside can be wiped with a sponge.

Disapppointed with custormer service
Bought an established brand. Got it quickly.First time out it made a lot of noise. Stopped it then started and then it exploded. Blade broken and marked tears in the chamber. It appears the blade was bent when I got it.The blade dug into the stainless steel chamber until it finally broke.I call Krups customer service.I understand an occaisional product can be bad but I expect the customer service to respond.Here is what happened.I was told that I had to take it to the service center - 90 minute drive.I refused (the item cost $20) then they told me to pack it up and send it the service center -- prob 45 minutes minimum if you include driving to the UPS center and then I had to pay the postage - prob $10.I viewed Krups as less than responsive to my problem. So I sent them an email noting that I would be happy if they would send me a new one and I would send the defective item back.I got a stock email back telling me to take it to the service center or send it in.So what did I do?I chucked the Krups and bought another grinder by another manufacturer...Last Krups product for me......

Indestructible Coffee Grinder -- Can Survive a Nuclear War
This is my first review for a kitchen product, but my trusty Krups Coffee Grinder deserves two thumbs up.I have used it to grind coffee to perfection: I have both drip and press coffee makers and I can use this to make different sized grounds for each. It also works well to grind nuts and to turn toast into breadcrumbs -- I have used it for both purposes. It is extremely easy to use.

The only downsides to this grinder (which is why it loses a star) are (1) the base cannot be put in water, it needs to be wiped out; and (2) it lacks some of the "bells and whistles" of newer models. Nonetheless, I have owned my grinder for about 15 years and have been pleased with it since the day I bought it. It is nearly indestructible and will probably outlive me. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SPEU
Subjects:  1. Coffee Accessories    2. Accessories    3. Drip Coffee Machines    4. Coffee Makers    5. (Coffeemakers)    6. Coffee Grinders   

Start and Run a Profitable Coffee Bar
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1999)
list price: $16.95
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Reviews (15)

Lev is a Super Wootang
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.
Brooklyn Tech = Teh suxors. We all know its true.

It's a good start...
Start & Run a Coffee Bar is a good starting point. The devil is always in the details. This book does a great job of helping you to think about the details. All those little things that you usually discover as you are in the process of setting things up. Starting with the business plan and working through to expanding and franchising. The book offers sample lists, charts and worksheets that provide ballpark figures to work with. The book talks about the basics of the product itself, coffee and espresso. In short, the book is very thorough in covering the things you will need to think about in starting and running a coffee bar.

If you do exactly as the book says, you'll end up with a coffee bar that is like a thousand other coffee bars. The overall approach is very formula focused. You will need to bring your own personality and ideas to the table to make your place unique.

While I appreciated the information the book provides, I found the manner and tone annoying. I found the commitment boxes at the end of each chapter sophmoric and condescending. The book's description of how employees should greet and deal with customers is delivered in a tone that indicates little room for variance. This is the only way to do it. And most of the book is that way. The book addresses a coffee shop with a roaster on site. A lot of the marketing discussion centers around the roaster and custom roast coffee. Great if you're planning to have that.

At $17, I don't regret the purchase. The book contains a lot of very useful nuts and bolts information. But I think you will want to read several other books to really understand the coffee business and the coffee customer.

I found the accompanying CD of little value.

Best book for the beans
We are opening a coffee house in 4 months and, needless to say, I have been reading and researching tons of books.Not just on the coffee world, but on insuring a small business as well as other legal insights.This book has been a HUGE resource for our venture.It is an easy read, meaning, it doesn't numb your mind for countless pages discussing, say, insurance.Let me add that it does talk about insurance, and I thank the authors for that.They explain complicated business talk with clear and consise examples.They also tend to weigh situations against other situations.For example, when drawing up the plans, they give you three ways of doing it (yourself, a draftsman, and an architect) and explain the pros and cons of each.This is consistent throughout the book and they go on to explain why or why not certain things work. They discuss marketing, staffing and the interview process, equipment tips, design layout, decor, etc. This is obviously written from the stand point of people who have been there.They cover all the bases about getting your shop up and running while touching on some potential pitfalls and how to avoid them.And if you get in a bind, they discuss how to get out of it.My highlighter has gotten a workout and I am passing this on to my co-owners to read.I am grateful to have found this book and only wish I had found it sooner to save money on the previous "coffee house" books I have purchased.This book exceeded my expectations as it went beyond the basics and truly is the only book you'll ever need.I was impressed to see that they covered LLC's, C corporations, and, S corporations...where people can't sue and go after your homes, bank accounts, personal assets, etc.Our attorney recomended an LLC for our type of operation and I was relieved to see that this book brought the topic up. Thanks to the authors for being the most complete work out there (in my opinion) on starting your business THE RIGHT WAY from the start. ... Read more

Isbn: 1551802538
Sales Rank: 624798
Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Consulting    3. Business/Economics    4. Coffeehouses    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Management    7. New business enterprises    8. Small Business - General    9. Small Business Management   

The Mystery Roast
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 January, 1997)
list price: $13.00 -- our price: $13.00
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (4)

Good coffee
I liked the Long Rain and so I bought The Mystery Roast. In the years between the writing of the two books, Mr. Gadol has, happily, grown and improved as a writer. The Mystery Roast is clever, possibly a bit too much so--the characters' names being one example. There's Eric and Marek. Then there's the art impressario named Maldemer--not too suble for anyone with even a slight knowledge of French--mal de mer meaning seasick. Hmmn.

I loved the creation of The Mystery Roast cafe; the food and the beverages are appetite-provoking. Interesting, too, is the depiction of fad marketing. This is a New York novel in the way that Manhattan is a quintessential New York movie. The author scores big points for capturing the feel and smell of the city, even its pulse. But Eric's "visions" --the images of the past he keeps seeing throughout the first two thirds of the book, and the idol's italicized "comments" quickly become irritating, even detrimental to the flow of the narrative.

Gadol is a good writer, an imaginative one, and the book is worth reading, even if it does drag in parts and even if Eric is boringly self-indulgent at times. The secondary characters more than compensate for the lack of sympathy one feels for the hero.

Compelling
I picked "THE MYSTERY ROAST" off the library shelf on a whim... I enjoy coffee, so the cover & title intrigued me.The 'blurbs" intrigued me even more, so down I sat to read.Hours later, at 1am, I could NOT put it down!The writing is so engaging - I especially love thehistoric 'flashbacks' engendered by the Goddess, and almost wish that Gadolhad spent more time on fleshing those out.I am looking forward toreading some of Gadol's other work, and am so tempted to wander around theold Meat District in the west village during my next visit to NYC to findthe "Mystery Roast Cafe".

absolutely magical
This book caught my eye one evening when I was really craving a cup of coffee.Gadol's work took me to a place so clear and real, so much that I could almost feel the snow crunch under Eric's feet.Years later, everytime it snows, or I wander throgh an almost empty museum, I long for thatplace and time that this amazing writer created. ... Read more

Isbn: 0312151764
Sales Rank: 1049228
Subjects:  1. Detective and mystery stories    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. New York (N.Y.)    6. Popular American Fiction