James Hoffmann recently announced that he's recorded an audiobook version of his book, The World Atlas of Coffee, 2nd Edition. Which is fantastic news if you watch his YouTube channel and enjoy hearing those dulcet British tones week after week. (And if you're a coffee nerd, of course.)

The book covers both the history and modern ways that the best coffee is produced in countries around the world, taking readers through the entire process from harvest to roasting and even to detailed home brewing methods:

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.

Treat your ears and mind to this fantastic book on coffee, you'll be glad you did. And if you decide to go for the physical edition, don't worry, there's plenty of visual stuff to enjoy in there too:

Get the book in these formats:

• Audible audiobook ($20) ← recommended
• Kindle ($8)
• Apple Books ($8)
• Hardcover ($31)