Coffee and cake are the only luxuries Kate allows herself. Every Friday afternoon after work, she heads for Bella's - the coffee shop around the corner from the office. If her favorite spot in the corner is open, she will snuggle into the easy chair and take a novel. At 5:30, Kate makes a quick stop at the ladies' room before heading home. When she gets back to her nook, she glances down at her empty cup. YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL is written on the napkin next to the cup. "What?" asks Kate to herself. "Who could have put this here?" She glances back and her eyes meet those of a man she has never seen here before. He is tall with straight fiery red hair and brown eyes. Kate feels so self-conscious under his intent gaze that she fumbles with her bag and eventually drops it onto the ground...

"Enchanting . . . An absorbing narrative of politics, ecology, and economics."--New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) Coffee is one of the largest and most valuable commodities in the world. This is the story of its origins, its history, and the threat to its future, by the IACP Award–winning author of Darjeeling. Located between the Great Rift Valley and the Nile, the cloud forests in southwestern Ethiopia are the original home of Arabica, the most prevalent of the two main species of coffee being cultivated today. Virtually unknown to European explorers, the Kafa region was essentially off-limits to foreigners well into the twentieth century, which allowed the world's original coffee culture to develop in virtual isolation in the forests where the Kafa people continue to forage for wild coffee berries. Deftly blending in the long, fascinating history of our favorite drink, award-winning author Jeff Koehler takes readers from these forest beginnings along the spectacular journey of its spread around the globe. With cafés on virtually every corner of every town in the world, coffee has never been so popular--nor tasted so good. Yet diseases and climate change are battering production in Latin America, where 85 percent of Arabica grows. As the industry tries to safeguard the species' future, breeders are returning to the original coffee forests, which are under threat and swiftly shrinking. "The forests around Kafa are not important just because they are the origin of a drink that means so much to so many," writes Koehler. "They are important because deep in their shady understory lies a key to saving the faltering coffee industry. They hold not just the past but also the future of coffee."

The worldwide bestseller - 1/3 million copies sold 'With his expert guidance we travel around the globe, from Burundi to Honduras via Vietnam, sipping and spitting as we go. This is high geekery made palatable by the evident love pulsing through every sentence.' - The Guardian 'The subject of coffee has never been more, er, hot, and The World Atlas of Coffee takes a close look at its history and evolution, the international range of beans and all the best ways to enjoy coffee. Great pics too.' - Susy Atkins, The Telegraph For everyone who wants to understand more about coffee and its wonderful nuances and possibilities, this is the book to have. Coffee has never been better, or more interesting, than it is today. Coffee producers have access to more varieties and techniques than ever before and we, as consumers, can share in that expertise to make sure the coffee we drink is the best we can find. Where coffee comes from, how it was harvested, the roasting process and the water used to make the brew are just a few of the factors that influence the taste of what we drink. Champion barista and coffee expert James Hoffmann examines these key factors, looking at varieties of coffee, the influence of terroir, how it is harvested and processed, the roasting methods used, through to the way in which the beans are brewed. Country by country - from Bolivia to Zambia - he then identifies key characteristics and the methods that determine the quality of that country's output. Along the way we learn about everything from the development of the espresso machine, to why strength guides on supermarket coffee are really not good news. This is the first book to chart the coffee production of over 35 countries, encompassing knowledge never previously published outside the coffee industry.

In the world of economics and business, engaging with loyal customers while also seeking out new, potential customers is a must. With the recent advancements of social media technology, these operations have increased the need for more developed methods to mesh consumer-business relationships and retention. The Handbook of Research on Retailing Techniques for Optimal Consumer Engagement and Experiences is a thought-provoking reference source that provides vital insight into the application of present-day customer relationship management within the retail industry. While highlighting topics such as digital communication, e-retailing, and social media marketing, this publication explores in-depth merchandiser knowledge as well as the methods behind positive retailer-consumer relationships. This book is ideally designed for managers, executives, CEOs, sales professionals, marketers, advertisers, brand managers, retail experts, academicians, researchers, and students.

This accessible and exciting new text looks at the implications of aesthetic labour for work and employment by contextualizing debates and offering a critical approach. The origins of aesthetic labour are explored, as well as the relevant theories from business and management, and sociology. Coverage includes key topics such as: corporate strategy; recruitment and selection practices; and discrimination. Key features include: - a range of case studies from across different types of organizations and popular culture - the exploration of topics such as branding, ′lookism′, ′dressing for success′ and cosmetic surgery - suggestions for further reading.