Coffee For Dummies by Major Cohen

Get the skinny on your morning joe Do you swear by your morning jolt of caffeine but are hard-pressed to tell a siphon from a slow dripper? No problem: just order a fresh copy of Coffee For Dummies for a smooth blend of fun facts and practical advice to give an extra shot of flavor to your appreciation of the second-most valuable commodity on planet Earth―and filter out all that excess grind in your knowledge. This warm and welcoming serving from passionate coffee guru Major Cohen―a Specialty Coffee Association certified instructor, and now retired highly respected former Starbucks coffee educator and program manager―takes you on a rocket-fueled journey from the origins of the liquid bean’s popularity to best ways to prepare and enjoy coffee in your own home. You'll learn how to evaluate the advantages of different coffee styles and makers, and how even the smallest detail―varietal, roast type, texture―can influence how good that cupped lightning tastes on your tongue. Evaluate different roasts or brews Navigate menus for the best deals Learn how to speak “coffee” and order your half-cap-low-fat-no-sugar-add-whip with confidence Read more

From the brand Dummies makes intimidating topics easy to understand and helps you feel more confident in applying what you do know and discovering what you don't. From finding a furry friend, contemplating a career change, bringing balance to your mind and body, mastering that new Mac, and everything in between, Dummies makes learning easy. Shop Cooking & Entertainment Visit the Store Shop Cooking & Entertainment Visit the Store

From the Publisher Q and A with Coffee For Dummies author Major Cohen What's your favorite coffee drink? I love coffee so this question is easy. Give me a chance to taste a new crop, a new method of processing, or even a new drink creation, and I will jump at the chance! My day starts with straight up brewed coffee, made in my Chemex and sipped hot, black and with a slurp or two, even though I try hard not to wake up the rest of the house with my noisy drinking. What's the best coffee to water ratio? While there is no one single best ratio, as taste is so personal for each of us, there are guidelines that have been accepted as good starting points for over 80 years. The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) maintains that the "Golden Cup" ratio provides an excellent starting point. I use it as a guide, making knowledge-based adjustments to variables when I brew to see how I can impact the end result and make the most of what my coffee has to offer. What do you think attracts so many coffee drinkers to their local coffeehouse or coffee franchise? This question brings to mind what local coffeehouses or franchises have to offer customers, and for me, the answer is grounded in personal human connection and knowledge that what I will purchase will be delicious because the barista has expertise coming from training and devotion to consistent execution of the craft. While I can replicate the coffee or beverage I am after at home, with the right tools and beans, there is no denying the uplifting experience I enjoy when my beverage is prepared by a skilled barista and accompanied with a smile. How do I make a cold brew coffee? Cold brew coffee is made by simply bringing coarsely ground coffee in contact with unheated water for a long time. It can take more than 12 hours and can be done in small or large quantities. Starbucks makes five or more gallons at a time in their stores, but even a small jar left in your fridge will do the trick. Grinding and Measuring: Grind your coffee to a coarse consistency, then get ready to measure it. A ratio of 1 part coffee to 8 parts water will result in a drinkable finished liquid, but you also can try a smaller ratio of 1:4, and then dilute the finished liquid with a bit of water to create the final drink. I prefer the 1:8 ratio and use 80 grams of coffee and 640 grams of water to make a good sized batch at home. Chilling and Serving: Add the water to your ground coffee, cover the container, and place in refrigerator for 12 hours. Strain the coffee concentrate into a new, clean jar or pitcher, then pour over ice for a delicious...and cold...finished beverage. How do I steam milk? The trick is to understand that milk steaming is more than just heating up the dairy or non-dairy that is added to the coffee or espresso to make a drink. The consistency and taste actually change through steaming. I always appreciate when a barista steams with practiced expertise, and I watch every time to see what I might learn. Ask your barista about the process the next time you get a chance and I bet you will learn something new, plus you'll win points for taking an interest in the often overlooked barista profession and its skillset. Prepping and Measuring: Measure milk carefully and only steam what you need. Be sure to leave room in your pitcher for expansion. Blow out the steam wand to clean, or purge, it. Insert the tip of wand in milk so it's just below the surface, about 1/4 inch. It's OK to tip the pitcher, but be sure to keep the wand submerged. Steaming is about using pressure to create aeration and heat to raise temperature at the same time. Steaming and Serving: Monitor temperature with thermometer. You want milk hot, not scalded. When milk is about 37C/99F, aeration is done. You'll be texturing and adding heat the rest of the process. Continue steaming until milk reaches 55-60C/130-140F. Stop, then remove and clean wand. Swirl pitcher and give it a tap or two until milk is smooth and shiny with no bubbles. Pour milk and coffee or espresso together. Enjoy! What you'll need: Espresso machine Steaming pitcher Milk or Soy, Almond. or Oat Milk alternative Thermometer Appreciating Coffee ― From Its Past to Today Going Back to Coffee's Roots To better understand coffee today, it's useful to look at where it came from. With a history spanning across centuries as well as the globe, coffee is more easily understood when you know some of its historical background. That history has witnessed romance, revolution, discovery, and turbulent change, all of which have led to coffee being what it is today. From Central and South America to Africa and beyond, all that you experience of coffee today is a result of someone's spirit, vision, and imagination. In many cases, unsung heroes ― and some well-known names, too ― have impacted coffee. They've all demonstrated a mix of entrepreneurial vision, perseverance, and even a bit of craziness, and they are all valuable parts of the amazing coffee journey from bean to brew.