Coffee Culture

Although concern about the qualities of the more than 6 billion cups of coffee imbibed every year continues to rise among many, until recently questions of human rights, sustainability, and justice were seriously considered by only a handful of engaged scholars, citizens, and farmers. In this ambitious biography of the bean, Catherine Tucker reminds us that, "We are linked physically, symbolically, and economically through the production, distribution, and consumption of coffee." Tucker’s research compares the theoretical insights gained from anthropology, sociology, and food studies to explain how coffee production, trade, and profits helped to build nations, influence local environments, and shape patterns of global inequality. She critically analyzes recent industry trends and engages efforts to create an alternative coffee economy, including the rise of Starbucks and fair trade. Cross-cultural comparisons are grounded in the everyday experiences of coffee drinking, and elucidated through Tucker’s accessible prose.

Christopher M. Bacon, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Santa Clara University

Catherine Tucker should be congratulated for her excellent and vivid book on coffee consumption. It was carefully written after field research on various farms, notably in Honduras (p. 139). Each chapter concludes with some highlights and summary questions. We understand that coffee is socially constructed, just like any kind of food, and perhaps more than any other commodity. Thus, five years after its first edition, Catherine Tucker’s Coffee Culture, 2nd ed. is more relevant than ever.
Yves Laberge, Ph.D, Department of Visual Arts, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, Electronic Green Journal, Issue 41, Spring 2018,