Craft coffee A manual : brewing a better cup at home

*Starred Review* Easto's manual for coffee enthusiasts goes beyond mere brew guide to pull back the curtain on the bean itself, coffee processing and roasting, and industry jargon we're on to you, tattooed barista. As the title indicates, the book is devoted to knowledgeably making craft coffee at home, a term coined to reflect the values of the third-wave coffee movement, which focuses on the coffee bean's unique flavors, ethical production, and connection to independent coffee roasters. Consulting with Willhoff, director of education for Halfwit Coffee Roasters, Easto offers a thorough overview of coffee that is never elitist in tone, emphasizing that individual taste should always be one's guide. That said, this is for people who want to level up their coffee game, which means buying high-quality beans and ditching the countertop coffee maker for one of the 10 manual brew methods detailed in the book's pages. Divided into two main categories, immersion and pour over, Craft Coffee walks readers through the equipment, measurements, and brewing technique for each device, accompanied by a description of the cup it produces. A few of the methods covered are the French press, AeroPress, Chemex, Hario V60, and BeeHouse dripper. Sections are also dedicated to understanding different coffee-growing regions, expanding one's palate, deciphering the bag's label, and troubleshooting one's brew. Clearly written and comprehensive, this book belongs in every home barista's tool kit.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2017 Booklist