FD 25 Drinks

The worldwide bestseller - 1/4 million copies sold'Written by a World Barista Champion and co-founder of the great Square Mile roasters in London, this had a lot to live up to and it certainly does. Highly recommended for anyone into their coffee and interested in finding out more about how it's grown, processed and roasted.' (Amazon customer)'Whether you are an industry professional, a home enthusiast or anything in between, I truly believe this is a MUST read.' (Amazon customer)'Informative, well-written and well presented. Coffee table and reference book - a winner' (Amazon customer)'Very impressive. It's amazing how much territory is covered without overwhelming the reader. The abundant photos and images are absolutely coffee-table-worthy, but this book is so much more. I think it would be enjoyable for an obsessed coffee geek or someone who just enjoys their java.' (Amazon customer)For everyone who wants to understand more about coffee and its wonderful nuances and possibilities, this is the book to have.Coffee has never been better, or more interesting, than it is today. Coffee producers have access to more varieties and techniques than ever before and we, as consumers, can share in that expertise to make sure the coffee we drink is the best we can find. Where coffee comes from, how it was harvested, the roasting process and the water used to make the brew are just a few of the factors that influence the taste of what we drink. Champion barista and coffee expert James Hoffmann examines these key factors, looking at varieties of coffee, the influence of terroir, how it is harvested and processed, the roasting methods used, through to the way in which the beans are brewed.Country by country - from Bolivia to Zambia - he then identifies key characteristics and the methods that determine the quality of that country's output. Along the way we learn about everything from the development of the espresso machine, to why strength guides on supermarket coffee are really not good news. This is the first book to chart the coffee production of over 35 countries, encompassing knowledge never previously published outside the coffee industry.

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Whisky is the world’s favourite spirit and is enjoying booming sales, yet too often it’s shrouded in mystery, myth and complex-sounding terminology. This authoritative book, written by three world experts, gives simple advice on how to seek out and enjoy the immense diversity of flavours and styles on offer, and how to become more adventurous. As with any subject, the more you know, the more you can appreciate and enjoy it. This book aims to equip you with enough knowledge to be able to find your way around the whisky sections of a specialist drinks retailer and to help you feel confident choosing whisky in a bar or restaurant. We aim to demystify whisky without taking away the magic. The history of whisky and production methods are clearly explained, and there is advice on how to nose, taste and savour, as well as a selection of classic whisky cocktails and advice on matching food and whisky. The book covers not just famous Highland malts, Irish pot still whiskeys and American bourbons, but also whiskies from Japan, Canada, Australia and India.

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The ultimate course for wine lovers! Learn your sauvignon blanc from your chardonnay and your merlot from your grenache.Smell, swirl and taste your way to transforming from wine novice to expert. The pages of this wine book make a comprehensive, no-nonsense wine tasting course that covers every aspect of wine from grape to glass.Explore the nuances of your favourite red and white and discover new cultivars. Inside, you'll find: - A dynamic course in understanding wine - through tasting and appreciation - with every subject given a high-impact visual treatment- A structure that reflects how people approach wine - talking, tasting, and buying wine come before exploring grape varieties and wine regions- All key wine subjects covered, shown, and explained in an easy-to-understand way- Themed tasting exercises are located throughout the book, encouraging readers to learn at their own paceFollow expert wine advice in the latest edition of Wine: A Tasting Course. The updated text and refreshed design bring concepts to life such as food and wine pairing, identifying the style spectrum, and distinguishing taste and smell. It explores fun wine facts and explodes myths, giving you everything you need to talk, taste, and enjoy your favourite vintage.Can't smell honeysuckle in that glass of sauvignon blanc, or wondering which end of a bottle of chianti is the "nose"? With this immersive guide to all things wine, you'll soon become an expert. Pour over vibrant infographics and learn through "Did you know?" boxes as you try out a selection of taste tests and get a handle on grape varieties and regions. This wine guide is a beautiful gift for the wine-lover in your life or the book for beginners you've been searching for to enjoy, understand, and appreciate wine.

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South Africa is the eighth largest wine-producer in the world and its wine industry is among the oldest of the New World. Today it is one of the globe’s most dynamic industries, compact but diverse. In the past decade a new generation of winemakers has breathed new life into centuries-old estates and new, boutique brands alike. The Wines of South Africa is in four sections. The first introduces readers to the history of South African wine, beginning with the arrival of the Dutch and the establishment of what would become Cape Town. The second section analyses South Africa’s industry today. It pinpoints the geological, geographical, and climatic conditions that create the parameters and potential of South African wine. It describes the major grape varieties and wine styles and outlines the broad range of wines being produced. It shows the current infrastructure of the industry, significant regulatory matters, and South Africa’s place in export markets. It also includes a general overview of wine tourism in South Africa. The third section inspects the challenges the industry faces, focusing on the three largest: profitability and the loss of vineyards as farmers switch to higher-margin orchards; environmental concerns, the effects of climate change, and water conservation; and the legacy of apartheid and continued imbalances in the socioeconomic structure of the Western Cape, including land redistribution, black economic empowerment initiatives designed to create a new generation of black business owners, and efforts to create a skilled, better-paid black workforce within the industry. The last section familiarizes readers with the major growing areas of South Africa and the most important producers operating in each one. It opens with a description of the Wine of Origin system, which designates three tiers of major appellations: Regions, Districts and Wards. Descriptions of individual regions and the producers based within each of them follow. A glossary explains important terms that are specific to the South African wine industry.

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Develop your palate and become your own beer expert.Beer is brewed in a dizzying variety of styles, available to enjoy like never before. Let's drink to this diversity with a new appreciation of just how complex, mind-expanding, and delicious beer can be. Crack open this book and enjoy a series of guided tastings of more than 50 different beer styles - from smoked black lager to funky and sour wild ales, triple green-hopped citrussy IPAs and cask-matured barley wines.With each tasting you will learn to identify how aroma, taste, texture, and finish all combine to create the distinctive flavour profile of the particular beer style. You will discover which unique ingredients and aspects of the brewing process combine to produce each style. While quick reviews of the best examples from around the world will set you exploring further. To help establish your beer palate, the course starts with a solid grounding in the range of flavours found in beer and the art of detecting them - opening your nose, mind, and throat to the complete sensory experience of flavour and pouring the perfect glass!Travel through time and across the globe to grasp the on-going story of beer, its heritage, and innovation. Learn how to pair beer with food and cook with it. But always return to what really matters: that miraculous glass of cold, liquid joy.

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