THE COMMUNITY KITCHENS COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOURMET COFFEE

The Community Kitchens, an established, family-owned, mail-order coffee business, has come out with a book appealing to the ever-growing number of coffee lovers, and one that conveys a good deal of practical information on coffee. Included are a short history of its consumption from the alleged first brewings and how they came about, to today's coffee-drinking trends in this country and elsewhere. For each type of coffee produced, there is a brief section telling where the beans are cultivated, how they are prepared for market, and a description of the distinctive aromas and flavors. Coffee, here, is treated much as fine wine: drinkers are encouraged to train their noses and palates to recognize the nuances of the various beans. The section on buying coffee and the accouterments necessary to make it are particularly useful for those newly converted ""gourmet"" coffee devotees. Advantages and drawbacks of the several brewing methods are discussed, as well as equipment needs (brand names and prices are given), and instructions for making that perfect tass. For non-purists, there are over 100 recipes for coffee drinks, plus entrees, side dishes, breads, and desserts for which coffee is an integral ingredient. The beverage selection includes Iced Coffee New York (with strawberry ice cream), Chocolate Chip Coffee, and Coconut Clouds. Nothing, of course, on caffeine's dark side, but would coffee lovers care?