The Professional Barista’s Handbook. An Expert’s Guide to Preparing Espresso and Coffee by Scott Rao, second edition

When I began in the coffee business fourteen years ago, I read every book I could find about coffee. After reading all of those books, however, I felt as if I hadn’t learned much about how to make great coffee. My coffee library was chock-full of colorful descriptions of brewing styles, growing regions, and recipes, with a few almost-unreadable scientific books mixed in. I would have traded in all of those books for one serious, practical book with relevant information about making great coffee in a café.

Fourteen years later, I still haven’t found that book. I know many other professionals as well as some obsessive nonprofessionals would like to find that same book I’ve been looking for. This book is my attempt to give it to them.

From the author

This is a must read for any barista. Whatever we had to guess on our own is now given to us plain and clear.

Maxim Bobrenev, winner of the first Russian Barista Championship, judge and organizer of Russian barista competitions

The book is exceptionally logical and to the point, which is exactly what makes it relevant. The coffee world needs books not about magic, but with essence, and this one is well worth its place in any coffee library.

Olga Melik-Karakozova, barista and roaster, multiple Russian Barista Champion and bronze winner of the International Roaster Competition at Nordic Barista Cup 2013

Scott Rao literally changed the coffee world with his research and this book. You simply must read it. It is the most comprehensive and important work in modern coffee history.

Nikolay Chistyakov, roaster, co-owner of Camera Obscura company