Books Every Coffee Roaster Should Own

Episode 96: This week, Bill (a newer roaster working with an SR800 and extension tube) asks a fantastic question: which coffee books deserve a permanent place on every roaster’s shelf? Stephen and Catherine dive into their favorite resources, from foundational roasting texts to broader guides on green coffee, blending, and the coffee industry as a whole. Along the way, they discuss why some books become dog-eared classics, how to navigate conflicting advice, and why learning from multiple perspectives can make you a better roaster.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Essential coffee roasting books for beginners and experienced roasters
• Why Scott Rao’s work has been so influential in the coffee roasting landscape
• Kenneth Davids’ classic contributions to the home roasting community
• Resources from Chris Kornman that every coffee geek should know
• The value of learning from contradictory opinions and real-world experience
• Why there’s often more than one “right” way to roast great coffee

Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your coffee knowledge, this episode is packed with recommendations to help you build your roasting library and sharpen your skills.

Have a favorite coffee book we missed? Let us know!

Send your coffee roasting questions to questions@riypod.com

NOTES:

- Scott Rao's The Coffee Roaster's Companion

- Chris Kornman's Green Coffee: A Guide for Roasters and Buyers

- Kenneth David's new book 21st Century Coffee: A Guide & foundational Home Coffee Roasting: Romance & Revival (the 2003 publication is the most recent edition, however an revised and updated version reportedly in the works).

- Roast Magazine

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