I have long been aware of this book – seen it about – and actually had it sitting around – and yesterday finally dove in and was so entranced had to savour my way through.
It is both a keystone reference volume and a simply stunning read. Part of the connection to the prose stems from the massive YouTube library created by James Hoffman, and if you have heard and seen him speak, you can truly hear his voice in this volume.
Titling this an ‘atlas’ could not be more appropriate on many levels. It ties coffee to its spatial and physical proximities and conditions. His extensive treatment of growing regions connected with varietal and species and short histories of the areas is in everyone’s expectation of an ‘atlas. However, Hoffman extends this to the virtual spaces and coffee drinkers themselves, the communities they form, the equipment that spherises their experiences, and ultimately the lived experience of the rituals surrounding the plant and its fruits.
As hinted at, this book can be consulted in preparation and appreciation, or it can be read from cover to cover. It offers a narrative woven around a compelling topic that allows for well-anchored tangents. The author’s wit shines through. He speaks with authority but in a manner that stays grounded and absolutely accessible. I am sure that this will provide nuggets for any coffee enthusiast and interest for those who have not nor will ever go down the rabbit hole of coffee preparation as a hobby. Generously and considerately illustrated with charts, maps, and other well-chosen aids, the subtitle genuinely captures the essence of the volume. It is an exploratory journey and makes no assumptions about prior knowledge when explaining things. It doesn’t pander or oversimplify nor raise the delivery to preaching, proselytising or over-techy waffle. It is delivered simply but offers a compelling and enticingly reflection of the author’s intention to help you enjoy but coming from his own deep passion, love, and genuine enjoyment of all things coffee – an art, a science, and a skillfully brewed concoction of the both.
I can’t recommend this book enough, but you probably got that if you read this far.