This is a short, entertaining and illuminating introduction to the history and culture of coffee, from the humble origins of the bean in northeast Africa over a millennium ago, to what it is today, a global phenomenon that is enjoyed around the world. It is the perfect gift for coffee lovers, including chapters on the rise of the coffeehouse, legal bans on coffee, Brazil #39;s domination of the world coffee trade and the birth of the espresso. Review A beautifully illustrated guide to everything we could ever want to know about our morning cup of Joe. --STYLIST, February 2018 Brian Williams #39;s The Philosophy of Coffee is an espresso of a book: a short, potted, illustrated history with a strong British perspective. --The Spectator, February 2018 Besides tips on brewing and infusion, [Brian] also dazzles us with statistics . . . we are all caffeine addicts now. --Tatler, February 2018 About the Author Brian Williams blogs about the culture of coffee at Brian #39;s Coffee Spot. This is his first book.