ESPRESSO: Ultimate Coffee by Kenneth Davids...

ESPRESSO: Ultimate Coffee by Kenneth Davids (Cole Group: $12.95; 180 pp., illustrated, paperback original). Technically, espresso is a beverage prepared by forcing hot water through finely ground, dark-roasted coffee, often served with foamy steamed milk. Davids traces the history of espresso and cappuccino, explains how various coffee-makers work, defines common coffee terms and offers an assortment of recipes. At times, the text seems a little too complete: Few readers will want to bother roasting their own coffee beans. But “Espresso” would make an excellent gift for anyone wondering how to use that ominous-looking house-warming/wedding present sitting on the kitchen counter.