Scott Rao is one of the most accomplished and respected consulting professionals in the specialty coffee space. He has been making an impact on the industry for decades on multiple platforms, from his blog to his books, and most recently on YouTube. He is perhaps best known for his print publications which have served as handbooks for the industry since the 2000s, whether that is for roasting, brewing or making espresso.

Scott has continued to publish his own works but has also expanded his remit and helped to publish books about coffee from other respected authors. All of them aim to help coffee professionals improve their craft, but will also provide great value to passionate consumers and lovers of specialty coffee who want to dive deeper into the workings of the industry. We feel privileged to have partnered with Scott to make his entire selection of publications available in South Africa.

Notes on The Physics of Espresso

After tackling the physics of filter coffee in his first book, astrophysicist Jonathan Gagné is back with more coffee research. His latest book, The Physics of Espresso unpacks topics like water chemistry, espresso extraction, and percolation science using accessible discussions and visual representations The Physics of Espresso also covers grinding, puck prep, shot dynamics, pressure and flow profiling as well as coffee storage and freshness - all backed by Gagné's own extensive research and experience, as well as contributions by other well-respected names in coffee; such as Lance Hedrick.

The Physics of Coffee is a comprehensive guide that brings into focus the finer details of espresso, thanks to Gagné’s precise and clear language. It offers baristas who approach coffee as a craft, and as a science, new approaches and insights to consider when pulling the perfect shot.

Read an extract of the book detailing shower screens and group headspace here.

The Physics of Espresso book format

• Hardcover
• 196 pages
• Dimensions: 260 x 182 x 20 mm
• Weight: 850g