Café, la grande épopée

Coffee is the third most widely consumed drink in the world. It is much more than just a "quick shot": it provides a break in the day, a chance to chat with others or to relax, to enjoy a taste of something a bit special... So how does this unique drink, which reached Europe in the 17th century, get as far as our coffee cups?

Explaining the history of the coffee tree, how it has spread, how it is grown, and the various stages involved in coffee bean processing means taking a round-the-world trip, through Africa, Arabia, Asia, Latin America and tropical islands. Michel Barel and Christophe Montagnon have accompanied coffee beans on that very trip, visiting family farms and leading roasters and meeting dealers and traders. Thanks to molecular chemistry, they have opened the lid on the various coffee aromas that develop through fermentation and roasting, to provide the ideal cup of coffee.

This book takes readers on a fascinating trip around the world of coffee, from its origins to its processing, along the entire production chain.

About the authors

Michel Barel as an engineering degree from the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers and is a senior researcher with CIRAD. He is an international expert in coffee and cocoa postharvest operations, and currently heads the KawaCao consultancy firm.

Christophe Montagnon has a PhD in plant genetics and is also a former senior coffee researcher with CIRAD. He is an international expert in coffee agronomy and genetics, and currently heads the RD2 Vision firm.

Café, la grande épopée
Michel Barel and Christophe Montagnon
Éditions Quae