Best Coffee & Tea
The book also includes information on the many health benefits of kombucha, fascinating details of the drink’s history, and recipes for delicious foods and drinks you can make with kombucha (including some irresistible cocktails! “Deep-rooted insight into the history, science, and how-to of this ancient brew ... a critical addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in good food.”. — Jennifer McGruther, author of The Nourished Kitchen. “On top of walking you through the kombucha fermentation process, The Big Book also includes a whopping 286 flavor combinations along with the history of the drink, information on health benefits, and much more. Expert brewers Hannah Crum and Alex LaGory reveal how easy, inexpensive, and safe it is to make your own delicious kombucha, with instructions for batch and continuous brewing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is a good book in particular for those new to brewing and contains everything from the history of this delicious elixir, to brewing ingredients, tips, flavoring and using your Kombucha in cooking. In the past I have found the many books go too far one way -such as things to use your Kombucha in, or the other way -very basic tips, and do not strike the happy medium that allows the book to be an all around guide. The tea guide was also very detailed and useful -talking about types of blends you should and should not use, and acceptable quantities before they become too much for the balanced of the Kombucha, The sugar guide was equally as useful; as was the equipment guide, as I now know I should not have used that cheesecloth as a cover when in a pinch (allows contaminates to get in your brew). For me the advanced guide was so helpful -how to flavor, as we are currently experimenting with secondary fermentation using cascade hobs, and carbonation, as striking that right balance has been an admitted challenge; and other books have simply not been detailed enough, leaving me having to turn to good old Google -this book solves that! The remainder of this book is a guide to flavors one could experiment with, drinks one can use this in -such as cocktails and shrubs -both of which are hands down amazing with the addition of Kombucha! The book ends with more of the Kombucha story; but most usefully a very detailed guide to components of Kombucha, specific health concerns and how the consumption of Kombucha might help; further reading guides and a brew log, which is very useful for new brewers."
"This big (383 page), bold and beautiful book is full of a wealth of first-hand information on all aspects of Kombucha that Hannah and her partner Alex LaGory have curated over their years of involvement with the Kombucha sub-culture. From the history and science of Kombucha to straightforward guidelines on the many aspects of brewing, decanting and flavoring this healthful fermented tea, Hannah and Alex cram an awful lot of really useful information into this book."
"One thing missing from the book is best place to buy it, I found it though. First flavors I did were strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade and cherry lemonade."
"My kombucha was pretty scary looking, scary enough that I could see other buyers thinking it was covered in mold, but after looking at the pictures in this book, I was able to figure out my kombucha was very yeasty and figure out it was probably due to using too many tea bags when brewing."
"But kombucha makes me feel so great it's practically magical."
"I really hope the author writes more books in the in the near future, I'm hoping she will possibly write a book about how to make milk kefir/water kefir, because I wish I could find a book on that subject just as good as this book!"
From beer to Coca-Cola, the six drinks that have helped shape human history. A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. The Economist 's technology editor has the ability to connect the smallest detail to the big picture and a knack for summarizing vast concepts in a few sentences. Finally, the rise of American capitalism is mirrored in the history of Coca-Cola, which started as a more or less handmade medicinal drink but morphed into a mass-produced global commodity over the course of the 20th century. In and around these grand ideas, Standage tucks some wonderful tidbits—on the antibacterial qualities of tea, Mecca's coffee trials in 1511, Visigoth penalties for destroying vineyards—ending with a delightful appendix suggesting ways readers can sample ancient beverages. Few realize the prominence of beer in ancient Egypt, but it was crucial to both cultural and religious life throughout the Fertile Crescent, appearing even in the Gilgamesh epic.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For a history book, A History of the World in Six Glasses is great. Overall the book is very well done and gives it a refreshing view on history in a well written book that is just the right length. My only complaints are that it is a history book and in my personal opinion it isn’t the most interesting topic and that I wish the book was more focused on drinks."
"I keep referring to stories that I learned about in the book, and my friends who have read it love recounting those stories!"
"Very interesting way to approach nothing less than the history of the world."
"Book reads easily and has interesting historical references."
"A book definitely worth the read."
"Felt like the book gave a helpful perspective on the history of the world."
"Interesting book, picked up some stuff I missed from history class too :)."
"An entertaining and informative look at beverages throughout the history of man."
Inside Lonely Planet Colombia Travel Guide: Color maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips save you time and money and help you get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - including hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, and prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer and more rewarding travel experience - including customs, culture, history, art, literature, music, sports, politics, landscapes, and wildlife Over 50 local maps Covers of Bogota, Zona Cafetera, Cartagena, Medellin, El Cocuy, San Agustin, Mompox, San Andres, Providencia, Cali, the Amazon Basin, the Pacific Coast, the Caribbean Coast, Boyaca, Santander, and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalize your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I think next time I order a travel guide, I will get hard copy rather than the Kindle version."
"It's as good quality as any other Lonely Planet guides I used."
"I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone wanting insight into Colombia!"
"It's ok...the guide does not offer options for "best path" between the attractions and some suggestions seemed paid by suppliers."
"It recommends restaurants that are closed (such as Crepe Express in Cartagena), and deems Cartagena's Inquisition Museum as a "must see", but when we went we found it had NO artifacts, MANY empty rooms, a few posters with weak historical facts and a fake guillotine, and was hardly worth the time."
"I bought this book, which is my third Lonely Planet Colombia travel guide hoping to see an improvement over previous editions but this poor attempt demonstrates that Lonely Planet can’t get Colombia right and the company can’t publish a good travel guide about Colombia after three attempts. I was hoping for an improvement over the previous Lonely Planet guidebooks about Colombia that were pretty poor and this latest guidebook is no improvement and in fact is worse in many ways with much information that is out-of-date considering this book was published in September 2015. The exchange rate table used in this new Colombia guidebook is the exact same as was in Lonely Planet’s previous Colombia guidebook I have that was published in August 2012. It’s the same in other cities; many of the best restaurants are missing and any newer restaurants that opened in Colombia over the past few years are completely missing from the book."
"Information not thorough enough."
Best Beverages & Wine
Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine will help you make sense of it all in a unique infographic wine book. Designed by the creators of WineFolly.com, which has won Wine Blogger of the Year from the International Wine & Spirits Competition, this book combines sleek, modern information design with data visualization and gives readers pragmatic answers to all their wine questions, including: Court of Masters, Certified Sommelier (Level 2) 40 Under 40, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 2015-2016 Wine Blogger of the Year, International Wine and Spirits Competition, 2013-14 Top Wine Writer, Quora, 2012.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The page that explains how to write useful personal wine notes, for example, instantly organizes the way you do your evaluations of wine."
"and to also have discovered your terrific blog, Wine Folly."
"This guide is beautiful, simple to use, and immediately gets you drinking and analyzing wine."
"Great info-graphics to describe a fun topic."
"This book is fantastic for the average wine enthusiast like me."
"Plenty of basic information with pictures and diagrams."
"The author's enthusiasm for wine is infectious and she has a true talent for sharing her knowledge."
"And I love the details... a good Glossary and Index, vintage suggestions,, regional differences and common styles, great tasting profile graphics, food pairings... Lots of info in a 9x7 softcover!"
Best Drinks & Beverages
The book also includes information on the many health benefits of kombucha, fascinating details of the drink’s history, and recipes for delicious foods and drinks you can make with kombucha (including some irresistible cocktails! “Deep-rooted insight into the history, science, and how-to of this ancient brew ... a critical addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in good food.”. — Jennifer McGruther, author of The Nourished Kitchen. “On top of walking you through the kombucha fermentation process, The Big Book also includes a whopping 286 flavor combinations along with the history of the drink, information on health benefits, and much more. Expert brewers Hannah Crum and Alex LaGory reveal how easy, inexpensive, and safe it is to make your own delicious kombucha, with instructions for batch and continuous brewing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is a good book in particular for those new to brewing and contains everything from the history of this delicious elixir, to brewing ingredients, tips, flavoring and using your Kombucha in cooking. In the past I have found the many books go too far one way -such as things to use your Kombucha in, or the other way -very basic tips, and do not strike the happy medium that allows the book to be an all around guide. The tea guide was also very detailed and useful -talking about types of blends you should and should not use, and acceptable quantities before they become too much for the balanced of the Kombucha, The sugar guide was equally as useful; as was the equipment guide, as I now know I should not have used that cheesecloth as a cover when in a pinch (allows contaminates to get in your brew). For me the advanced guide was so helpful -how to flavor, as we are currently experimenting with secondary fermentation using cascade hobs, and carbonation, as striking that right balance has been an admitted challenge; and other books have simply not been detailed enough, leaving me having to turn to good old Google -this book solves that! The remainder of this book is a guide to flavors one could experiment with, drinks one can use this in -such as cocktails and shrubs -both of which are hands down amazing with the addition of Kombucha! The book ends with more of the Kombucha story; but most usefully a very detailed guide to components of Kombucha, specific health concerns and how the consumption of Kombucha might help; further reading guides and a brew log, which is very useful for new brewers."
"This big (383 page), bold and beautiful book is full of a wealth of first-hand information on all aspects of Kombucha that Hannah and her partner Alex LaGory have curated over their years of involvement with the Kombucha sub-culture. From the history and science of Kombucha to straightforward guidelines on the many aspects of brewing, decanting and flavoring this healthful fermented tea, Hannah and Alex cram an awful lot of really useful information into this book."
"One thing missing from the book is best place to buy it, I found it though. First flavors I did were strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade and cherry lemonade."
"I read another review that had my exact mindset when I started brewing my own kombucha: There's plenty of information on the internet, why do I need a book?"
"My kombucha was pretty scary looking, scary enough that I could see other buyers thinking it was covered in mold, but after looking at the pictures in this book, I was able to figure out my kombucha was very yeasty and figure out it was probably due to using too many tea bags when brewing."
Best Health, Fitness & Dieting
Neal Barnard, Dr. John McDougall, The Engine 2 Diet author Rip Esselstyn, and many others Success stories from converts to plant-based eating—like San’Dera Prude, who no longer needs to medicate her diabetes, has lost weight, and feels great! The many benefits of a whole-foods, plant-based diet —for you, for animals and the environment, and for our future A helpful primer on crafting a healthy diet rich in unprocessed fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, including tips on transitioning and essential kitchen tools 125 recipes from 25 champions of plant-based dining—from Blueberry Oat Breakfast Muffins and Sunny Orange Yam Bisque to Garlic Rosemary Polenta and Raspberry-Pear Crisp—delicious, healthy, and for every meal, every day. “A great resource for folks toying with the idea of transitioning to vegetarianism.”. —Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, in VegNews “[A]n invaluable reference for anyone who still doesn’t believe that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is in fact the cause for a majority of our personal, global and moral devastation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The book "Forks Over Knives" does a wonderful job of performing two disparate tasks: It provides concise explanations of why a whole-foods, plant-based diet is healthiest for people, the planet, and the animals, and. It offers a wide range of amazing recipes to help people get started. The book does this in three parts: (i) why a plant-based diet is best for your health, the planet, and the animals (37 pages); (ii) basic facts on plant-based foods (19 pages), and (iii) recipes (133 pages). While the bulk of the book is for recipes, there is a lot of powerful information in the first two parts that has appeal for anyone from the newcomer to the most informed, with topics as diverse as the environmental impact of food choices to nutrition labels. Even after having read literally dozens of books on plant-based foods and having finished Campbell's eCornell course in plant-based nutrition, I became more informed after reading the first two parts. The book does offer bios on the people who are trying to help us live more healthy lives. I've been a student of plant-based nutrition for 10 years and I've read everything I can on the topic, yet I found pieces here I'd never seen before: Bios that contain insights obviously drawn out from first-hand interviews with the subjects; success stories from people who chose to adopt this healthier approach to eating; a very concise and thoughtful summary which compares whole, plant-based foods to animal products (styled like black box warning labels for food), and some great recipes from leading chefs. Some of the comments for this book are simply mean-spirited attacks on a book that aims to inform, persuade and help those who want to live longer, healthier lives in making better food choices--all for the low price of $6.40, or less than one-tenth the cost of a doctor's visit, where the topic of whole, plant-based foods will likely never come up."
"Lovely Companion to the documentary and has fun and tasty recipes !"
"Enjoyed the book, Not quite ready to give up the knife yet, but working on it."
"Excellent documentary."
"Very good book."
Best Healthy Living
The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. In How Not to Die , Dr. Michael Greger, the internationally-renowned nutrition expert, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America-heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more-and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives. In addition to showing what to eat to help treat the top fifteen causes of death, How Not to Die includes Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen -a checklist of the twelve foods we should consume every day.Full of practical, actionable advice and surprising, cutting edge nutritional science, these doctor's orders are just what we need to live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Michael Greger presents the groundbreaking science onhow simple plant-based food choices help us live healthier and happier lives.Dr. Greger describes which foods to eat to prevent the leading causes ofdisease-related death and shows how a diet based on fruits, vegetables, tubers,whole grains, and legumes might even save your life." Not onlydoes Dr. Michael Greger drop a metric f*ckton of evidence that a plant-baseddiet will save your damn life, he lays out the blueprint to make it happen. "Finally a physician has pulled together the latest scientific studies onhow to fight disease and prolong life. Gerger also offers upfriendly tips, like his favorite smoothie recipe and a turmeric tutorial.Follow his advice and you may not live forever, but you'll almost certainlylive a healthier life." Dr Gregertends to rely on the gold standard of medical research randomised controlledtrials rather than the latest fads. Michael Greger, MD , is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety and public health issues. He runs the popular website NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit, science-based public service providing free daily videos and articles on the latest in nutrition research. Dr. Greger also proudly serves as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at the Humane Society of the United States.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this book in January 2016, after hearing an interview with Dr. Greger on a podcast. At first I found it hard to read, but not because it difficult or confusing, but because it was changing everything I thought I knew about food. By May 2016 I was miserable with my rash and still sitting at 204 lbs, despite my healthy lifestyle and consuming 1500 calories a day."
"for the person that wants to dig deeper, but in a style that has become uniquely his, Dr Greger uses quoted language from the papers to give an unitimidating explanation of the science contained within. He stands almost alone in a mass media that can't seem to get past the catchy titles, abstracts, and carefully worded, often misleading conclusions. The first 15 chapters (how not to die from..cancers, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, etc..) are arranged based on easy to recognize conditions and though they are related can be read completely independent from one another. The book doesn't follow a chronology, so I found myself flipping through an early review copy reading small sections at a time. He doesn't give in to gluten or coconut oil just because it is popular or profitable and while some might find it frustrating, he sticks to the entire body of evidence not the latest single study. Finally, his "Daily Dozen" is a great place to begin implementing the message of bountiful health he enjoys teaching to anyone that will listen. In spite of all the economic momentum for more profitable and popular food, each year hundreds of articles surface on the benefits of adding more plant-based nutrition to one's diet for health and Dr Michael Greger seems to find them all."
"For the same price that would get me a week in the Caribbean sun, lying on deck of a cruise ship drinking margaritas, listening to reggae music and watching the waves go by, I was going to get a lighted probe stuck up my butt. The closer we stick to that, the healthier we become, and the more our bodies revert to their natural state of robust health rather than the sickly, wimpy physiques resulting from the Standard American Diet (SAD). The books' greatest strength is the thorough and objective research combined with Dr. Greger's ability to break complex and extensive information down into a language that even those of us artsy types who tried to dodge science in school can understand."
Best Agricultural Science
"— New York Times Book Review. )—and use a foolproof method that works every time? “You need The Food Lab , as J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s magnum opus is 2015’s most indispensable cookbook.”. - The Chicago Tribune “I love The Food Lab .”. - Yotam Ottolenghi, BBC Good Food Magazine. “The ultimate book for science nerds who cook.”. - Wired.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon""The Food Lab" by Lopez-Alt is a dense collection of science based tips, explanations, techniques, and recipes for the home cook. I really like the way this book has been laid out: - The introduction is a modest overview of the author and his background followed by some really helpful information on equipment (such as an explanation on techniques for holding knives, how heat transfers through metal for consideration in what type of pan to use, essential equipment to have in your kitchen, and how to store and organize your fridge and pantry). * Cooked Vegetables has a great range of side dishes such as Brussels sprouts, Mexican street corn salad, roasted cauliflower, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and quite a few more recipes. Recipes in this chapter include mac 'n' cheese, risotto, linguine with clams, lasagna, and spaghetti. - The front and back book covers insides have conversion tables to be opened or flipped to quickly as a reference."
"And this book is great, and beautiful, full of photos, his great sense of humor, and excellent instructions. I was just hoping to see more of that type of food, whereas this book is targeted towards beginners (not to say that experienced cooks can't get value out of this book, because it's full of great info) or more specifically, towards people who haven't been reading his column all this time. Though in the meanwhile, there are already recipes I've got bookmarked to try out, like his puttanesca, pot roast, oven fries, THAT MEATLOAF, not to mention his excellent egg salad, which I've previously made from the site…. I'm so glad to be able to pay Kenji back in some form for the years of free content on Serious Eats and I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cooking and improving their skills, in particular beginner cooks."
"Like most cookbooks today, it begins with a background of the author, who is an MIT grad turned culinary scientist. There are some things which go contrary to cooking norms (flip your steak often, and searing does not lock in juice), but there are explanations for the methods behinds the madness. Even if you never bother to make a recipe from this book verbatim, it will greatly increase your cooking skills from practical knowledge of physics, chemistry, taste, and technique."
Best Juices & Smoothies
In her new book, Green Smoothies for Life , the highly anticipated follow up to the #1 New York Times bestseller 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse , Smith presents a way that green smoothies can be incorporated into your daily regimen. She is a nutritionist and certified weight-loss expert who has been featured on The Steve Harvey Show , The Montel Williams Show , and The Jamie Foxx Show and on the NBC, FOX, and CW Network, as well as in the pages of Glamour , Essence , and Ladies Home Journal .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I then segued into this book--30 day Green Smoothies for Life and pretty much followed it to the letter. The 10 day book is meant to cleanse/detox--to rid your body of all the gunk, the junk, the cravings and be a re-setting of a new way of eating--for life! The 40 days gave me time to assess how my body felt without eating the bad stuff and the difference and changes I began to experience with consuming only the good stuff. As I approach the last few days of the 30 day book, I am looking forward to adopting one green smoothie as a meal replacement per day indefinitely."
"Great information on how to live and lead a sustainable, healthy lifestyle provided in a concise format."
"This book works lost 8 lbs in 4 days but i got lazy after and ate."
"East to follow and GREAT recipes."
Best Alcoholic Beverages
Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine will help you make sense of it all in a unique infographic wine book. Designed by the creators of WineFolly.com, which has won Wine Blogger of the Year from the International Wine & Spirits Competition, this book combines sleek, modern information design with data visualization and gives readers pragmatic answers to all their wine questions, including: “A magically vivid wine guide for our information age—cuts through the complexity of wine like a Champagne saber.”-- Mark Oldman , renowned wine expert and author of Oldman’s Guide to Outsmarting Wine. – Geoff Kruth , MS, President Guildsomm.com. "With clever graphics, Madeline has created a wine navigator that effortlessly guides new wine lovers to a better understanding of the taste, origins and geography of wine." Court of Masters, Certified Sommelier (Level 2) 40 Under 40, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 2015-2016 Wine Blogger of the Year, International Wine and Spirits Competition, 2013-14 Top Wine Writer, Quora, 2012.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The page that explains how to write useful personal wine notes, for example, instantly organizes the way you do your evaluations of wine."
"Wine Folly does not only provide data about several kinds of wines but also explanes the art of wine tasting and evaluation."
"It talks about how to taste wine how to “eye” the wine, how to compare it, and, really breaks down the wine experience for anybody who aspires to be a wine connoisseur."
"VERY NICE coffee table book !"
"Great book and I've learned a lot about wines so far."
"This wine book is phenomenal!"
"Having the book in hand now allows me to provide visuals for every aspect of wine discussion."
"Perfect if you need a basic overview of wine."
Best Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Using my specially formulated recipes, you’re able to: Achieve optimum health Have boundless energy & vitality Achieve & maintain you ideal weight Look radiant Live a long healthy life. After many years as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescribing & practicing a healthy lifestyle, I’m well aware that you will want recipes that: Are affordable & easy to make Are tasty & delicious Give fast results Fit in with a busy lifestyle. Radiant Skin – with radiant skin you will ooze health & confidence attracting attention from both the opposite sex and in your work life. Here’s a small selection to tempt you further: Chia Seed Rainforest Smoothie Berry Breakfast Smoothie Flat Belly Smoothie Smoothie for Radiant Skin Shamrock Smoothie Antioxidant Anti-Aging Smoothie Raw Mint Chocolate Smoothie Bananarama Smoothie. "Stop thinking and start whizzing." Tons of feel great recipes, but TWO of them are particularly outstanding! While juices did their job of providing me with good nutrients that are essential for the body, and while juices are good for easy absorption of the nutrients, they do not contain the fiber from the fruit or the vegetable, and I found that I wanted something more substantial and nutritious, but also easy and rapid to prepare.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon""Very imaginative and useful.""
"Gave as Birthday gift with Nutribullet."
"As described, arrived quickly."
"GOOD BOOKI haven't had time to use it much yet."
"LOVE MY NEW BULLET RECIPES."