At Consciencia Cafe, we believe that coffee and reading are natural complements. Both call for time, attention, and a certain willingness to slow down. That is why we maintain a library available to everyone who visits us, with a curated selection of books ranging from technical coffee guides to literary works that pair perfectly with a well-prepared cup.
In this article, we share some of the works we consider essential for anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of coffee, along with a reflection on why the combination of coffee and reading makes so much sense.
International classics
The World Atlas of Coffee - James Hoffmann
If you could own only one book about coffee, this would be a strong choice. James Hoffmann, 2007 World Barista Champion and one of the most influential voices in specialty coffee, wrote a comprehensive guide that covers the entire coffee chain: from cultivation to brewing.
The book is divided into three parts. The first explains the fundamentals: what coffee is, how it is grown, processed, and roasted. The second is an atlas proper, touring the major producing countries with information about terroir, cultivated varieties, and typical sensory profiles. The third focuses on brewing methods, with practical guidance for getting the best from each approach.
What makes this book special is the clarity with which Hoffmann communicates complex information. He writes for enthusiasts and professionals simultaneously without being either too simplistic or excessively technical. The photographs and maps are both beautiful and informative. A second, updated edition includes countries and regions that have gained relevance in recent years.
Uncommon Grounds - Mark Pendergrast
While Hoffmann’s book is a practical and geographic guide, Uncommon Grounds is a history. It is probably the most complete narrative ever written about the trajectory of coffee as a global commodity, from its origins in Ethiopia to the specialty coffee movement of the twenty-first century.
Pendergrast traces the connections between coffee and colonialism, revolutions, wars, and economic transformations. The reader discovers how coffee shaped entire economies in Latin America, how the great American roasters dominated the market in the twentieth century, and how the quality movement emerged as a reaction to decades of bad coffee.
It is neither a light book nor a short one, but it is fascinating for anyone who wants to understand why the coffee we drink today is the result of centuries of political, economic, and social decisions. We recommend it for history lovers who want to see coffee through a broader lens.
The Craft and Science of Coffee - Britta Folmer (editor)
This is a more technical work, aimed at those who want to understand the science behind each stage. With contributions from numerous researchers, it covers coffee chemistry, roasting processes, the physics of extraction, and even the neuroscience of flavor perception.
It is not casual reading. It is dense, academic, and full of references. But for baristas, roasters, and industry professionals, it is an invaluable source of knowledge. If you want to know why a certain water temperature extracts more acids than another, or how the Maillard reaction transforms sugars during roasting, this book has the answers.
Brazilian authors and works
O Cafe - Monteiro Lobato
Monteiro Lobato, best known for children’s literature, wrote extensively about coffee and its role in Brazilian economy and society in the early twentieth century. His short stories and chronicles about life on coffee farms in the interior of Sao Paulo state portray a Brazil in transformation, where coffee was both wealth and ruin simultaneously.
Lobato’s works on the subject are not technical guides; they are literature. But they offer a historical and human perspective on what coffee meant to Brazil, delivered with the sharp and critical prose that characterizes the author.
Brazilian coffee literature
Several Brazilian authors have contributed significantly to the understanding of national coffee culture. Ensei Neto, one of the most respected names in Brazilian coffee with decades of experience as a Q-Grader and consultant, has written extensively about the history of producing regions and practical guidance on sensory evaluation. His work contributes to the appreciation of Brazilian coffee in the specialty scene, demonstrating that the country produces far more than the low-quality commodity that historically dominated its exports.
Roasting guides in Portuguese
Practical guides on coffee roasting, including Portuguese translations of international works, serve as important references for the growing Brazilian specialty market. These books address roasting fundamentals with an accessible approach, explaining how the roaster’s decisions regarding time, temperature, and airflow affect the final flavor.
For those who frequent specialty cafes and want to understand why the same bean can taste so different depending on the roast, these works are truly eye-opening.
Beyond coffee: books that pair with a cup
The Consciencia library is not limited to books about coffee. We maintain a selection of literary, philosophical, and nonfiction works that we believe pair well with the experience of sitting down, drinking a coffee, and reflecting.
Philosophy and reflection
Works by thinkers like Byung-Chul Han (The Burnout Society) and Carl Honore (In Praise of Slowness) speak directly to the philosophy of specialty coffee: slow down, pay attention, value quality over quantity. These are readings that question the frenetic pace of contemporary life and invite a more conscious existence.
Brazilian literature
Clarice Lispector, Machado de Assis, Guimaraes Rosa, and other giants of Brazilian literature have a place on our shelves. There is no direct connection to coffee, but there is an affinity of spirit: these are authors who demand attention, who reward slow reading, who reveal layers of meaning with each rereading. For English-speaking visitors, translated editions are available and offer a window into one of the richest literary traditions in the Americas.
Graphic novels and comics
For lighter moments, we have graphic novels and comics that pair well with an afternoon coffee. They are visual, engaging reads that offer a different kind of pause in the daily routine.
Coffee and reading: why they belong together
The connection between coffee and reading is no accident. Historically, coffeehouses were spaces of intellectual encounter. The literary cafes of Paris, Vienna, and Buenos Aires sheltered writers, philosophers, and artists who created some of the most important works of Western culture within their walls.
This tradition persists because the cafe environment, the aroma of coffee, the unhurried rhythm of preparation, the absence of rush, creates a mental space conducive to reading and reflection. It is the opposite of the infinite scroll on a screen: it is presence, concentration, a silent dialogue between reader and author.
The slow living movement, which values conscious experiences over rapid consumption, finds in specialty coffee and reading two of its most natural pillars. Preparing a coffee with attention and opening a book with curiosity are acts of resistance against the hurry that dominates everyday life.
Building your own coffee library
If you want to start your own collection of coffee books, we suggest this order:
- Start with Hoffmann’s Atlas: it is the most accessible and comprehensive
- Move to Uncommon Grounds: to understand the history
- Explore Brazilian authors: to connect global knowledge with the reality of Brazilian coffee
- Dive into the science: when you feel ready to understand the “why” behind each practice
And remember: there is no hierarchy of reading. A graphic novel read with pleasure is worth more than a technical treatise read out of obligation.
Visit Consciencia Cafe in Foz do Iguacu, choose a book from our shelf, and enjoy a cup of specialty coffee while you lose yourself in a good read. This is the kind of experience we believe the world needs more of.