Coffee and tea are two of the world's most popular beverages, but they are so much a part of daily life that people tend to take them for granted. As with wine, there are everyday, mass-produced coffees and teas, and rare and expensive ones. This guide takes the reader behind the scenes to relate the story and colourful history of coffee - where it comes from, how they are produced, the true origins of famous blends, the many different ways of drinking coffee and the best of the brews. This book should be of interest to both the casual reader and the dedicated gourmet, and inform with unusual anecdotes and illustrations. The East India Company played a vital role in the development of coffee-drinking in Europe and America, and the author's long association with the trade gives the book a unique perspective. It is for anyone interested in coffee, whether they drink it without a thought, or go to the lengths of blending their own coffee beans or buying speciality blends. Anthony Wild is the author of the East India Book of Tea.