Kenneth Davids is the author of three books on coffee, one of the main figures in the home coffee-roasting revival, and writes for a number of coffee-industry publications and web-sites. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This nation's obsession with coffee continues to evolve. Coffee addicts who have already traded up to the latest bean grinders and brewing machines now have a new frontier to conquer: roasting their own beans. Davids' updated edition of his earlier work addresses the technological advances that have made home roasting even more accessible. After surveying the history of coffee roasting and the machinery invented for that purpose, Davids scrutinizes the world's coffees, comparing their varietal characteristics so that home roasters can anticipate which beans will produce coffees that best suit their tastes. His quick guide to home roasting methods clearly delineates the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative, from the most expensive home roasting machines to simple stove-top and microwave oven techniques. Beginning home roasters may be surprised to find that one of the simplest coffee-roasting machines is a hot-air popcorn popper. Davids' clearly written instructions make home coffee roasting sound easy and should extend the process to a broad audience. Mark Knoblauch
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