Speciality Coffee

A richly illustrated tour through the entire world of specialty coffee, from the farm to the cup. Katrien Pauwels covers every stage of the chain: how coffee is grown, how different varieties and processing methods shape flavor, how roasting transforms the bean, and how to brew well at home or behind a bar.

Why Start Here

What sets this book apart from other coffee guides is its breadth combined with real industry authority. Pauwels does not write as an outside observer. She runs a roastery that sources directly from farmers across the globe, and she judges barista competitions at the world level. That experience shows on every page. The sections on growing and processing are detailed enough to satisfy professionals, while the brewing guidance remains clear and practical for anyone making coffee at home.

The book also includes something many coffee books leave out entirely: the business of coffee. Pauwels shares insights into running a roastery, building relationships with producers, and navigating the commercial side of specialty coffee. For readers who dream of opening a coffee shop or starting a roasting business, this section alone makes the book worth owning.

At 272 pages with full-color photography throughout, “Speciality Coffee” is as much a visual pleasure as it is an educational resource. The country profiles and roaster testimonies give it the feel of a well-traveled notebook rather than a textbook.

What to Expect

A comprehensive, beautifully produced hardcover that covers the full spectrum of specialty coffee. Pauwels writes with the confidence of someone who has spent years buying, roasting, and judging coffee at the highest level. The tone is warm and knowledgeable without being pretentious. Readers at every level will find something new here.