Whether you’re a home roaster, a passionate brewer, or simply someone who knows there’s more behind a great cup than meets the eye, this book will deepen your appreciation and sharpen your skills. Discover what happens beneath the cherry skin, inside the roaster, through the grinder, and during extraction. Learn why altitude matters, how processing transforms flavor, and what really happens when beans reach first crack—and beyond.
Written in a warm, approachable style, First Crack blends clear instruction with vivid moments from the craft. You’ll explore:
• The journey of coffee from seedling to harvest
• How processing methods shape flavor identity
• Sorting, grading, and the global movement of green coffee
• Roasting fundamentals, chemistry, and method comparisons
• Grinding, extraction science, water quality, and brewing mastery
• How to taste coffee like a pro—and how to build your own rituals
By the time you reach the final chapter, you won’t just understand coffee more deeply; you’ll experience it differently. Each cup becomes a story, each aroma a clue, each brew an opportunity to create something exceptional.
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