CoffeeBeanShop

Five Coffee-delic Picks

Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine
by Stephen Braun - 1996
Now a producer at the New England Research Institutes, science writer Braun engagingly describes the chemistry, metabolism, physiological and behavioral effects, and reputed health benefits of the world's two most popular drugs: alcohol and caffeine. He seasons the book with references to history, folklore, and literature. (Did you know that Bach wrote a Coffee Cantata?) The treatment of controversial issues such as the correlation between risk of heart disease and moderate wine consumption is balanced, and the science is sound and in layman's language. Whether the subject is the cause of hangovers or the effects of caffeine consumption on PMS, Braun has a knack for interpreting the findings of medical researchers and applying them to daily life.

The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug
by Bennett Alan Weinberg, Bonnie K. Bealer - 2001
Unlike Weil's book above, this book focuses on the history and social effects of the principal beverages that contain caffeine, notably coffee and tea. For example, there are comparisons of the tea culture of England with that of Japan and comparisons of both with the coffee culture of the United States. You get history, chemistry, and sociology all rolled up into one highly rated and popular book.

From Chocolate to Morphine: Everything You Need to Know About Mind-Altering Drugs
by Andrew Weil, Winifred Rosen - 1998
What? No coffee!?! Of course there is. We've included this book because it covers just about every subject from chocolate to morphine, plus coffee. Weil's my hero, anyway. This is a must-read if you're interested in behavioral patterns and how our every-day drugs alter them. Written with Weil's usual panache.

Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug
by Stephen Cherniske - 1998
If you drink a lot of coffee and you find that you're depressed, you may need to lay off that brew for a while if not longer. Don't feel alone, however, because you're one of 80% of Americans hooked on caffeine - a natural component of coffee, tea, and chocolate and a common ingredient in drugs, soda, candy, and other products. So, you may need to give up more than coffee. Just make sure I'm not around when you do...

Addiction-Free--Naturally: Liberating Yourself from Tobacco, Caffeine, Sugar, Alcohol, Prescription Drugs, Cocaine, and Narcotics
by Brigitte Mars - 2001
...but if you do decide to give up some habits, try this book. Mars offers support networks, nutritional info, aromatherapy, acupuncture and pressure and herbal therapy to help you rid yourself of those nasty oxidants. Once you clean yourself up, a cup of coffee sure tastes a lot better!