"The importance of coffee can never be understated, and Morton Stain has covered all the bases. He has extracted the essence of the world's love affair with coffee and has provided a satisfying blend of ancient lore and popular culture, delivered in a deeply personal context. His affection for the bella figura of Italian baristas warms his obvious joy of the Italian coffee experience. You can easily hear the early morning hustle and bustle of Rome's coffee bars and breathe the aroma of fresh espresso in the air. Coffee Talk is a book that can be sampled in title tastes or provide an amiable winter fireside companion." Chris Findlay. Phd, President, Compusense Inc.

"Morton Satin has captured he origins, history, and culture of coffee drinking in a captivating style, interwoven with personal anecdotes that resonate with even the noncofee drinker, in this unique and entertaining book. I must have for every coffee table!" Dr. Lori Hoolihan Research director, Dairy Council of California

"Morton Satin talks his way through thirteen centuries of the history, science, marketing, and breweing of coffee, right up to the Starbucks phenomenon of today. His pleasant style and eagerness to please with fascinating tales keep you focused on the pages, just as your favorite cup of coffee would. I knew a bit about this topic, but now, after reading Salin's book, ask me any question about coffee ... anything. No question you may have about coffee stays unanswered." Manfred Kroger, PhD, Professor of food science emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, and Scientific editor. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety

"Satin writes a colorful account of this beverage that has been our stimulant and relevant through the ages. Worth percolating over with excepts on Khaldi and his gambouling goats, dark roast, coffee's dark history, and the art of the barista. My habit was born during college exam study procrastimulation in a nearby mall sipping a cuppa joe two-handed in front of the record store. Today, my day beings with a lungo espresso. My husband's fine dining ends with a Monte Cristo." Francy Pillo-Blocka. RD. FDC President and CEO, Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition

What is it about coffee that makes it so popular across so many different cultures? Can it be the caffeine, or is there something else that makes it so alluring?

No beverage has broader worldwide appeal. In North America and Europe, the annual amount of coffee consumed is overwhelming. And in China and even in India, the traditional stronghold of tea drinking, the coffee business has grown by leaps and bounds.

In this entertaining yet comprehensive book, food expert Morton Satin describes how, in recent times, coffee has become the magnet that draws people together for spirited interchanges of information and ideas. In the intellectual capitals of the world, coffeehouses have been and continue to be the venues where the great minds flock to discuss the latest developments in the arts, sciences, and social philosophies.

Satin, moreover, traces the rich and intriguing history of coffee, showing how coffee consumption evolved to fit the social and economic needs of different times. His fascinating narrative dispels common myths and conveys many little-known facts, such as that the dark coffee bean originated in Africa, not South America, as many believe.

Today, of course, it is the indispensable wake-up beverage in most households throughout the West and the East. It is also the mainstay of the Starbucks phenomenon---a chain of coffeehouses whose popularity continues to soar. Satin even goes on to reveal the best techniques for home brewing, and he enlivens his narrative with stories of the fine art of the barista, including the World Barista Championship, where rival baristas from around the globe display the highest artistry of coffee brewing.

Lavishly illustrated, this delightful and informative book is the perfect complement for your next coffee break.