Coffee Floats Tea Sinks

Food & Drink Biography & Memoir History

Coffee Floats Tea Sinks by Ian Bersten is a lavishly illustrated hardcover that dives into the surprisingly stormy social history of tea and coffee, tracing how two simple beverages steered empires, trade routes, and daily rituals across centuries. Collectors prize this 284-page volume for its blend of food history, travelogue, and antique ephemera, all wrapped in a bright dust jacket that still looks crisp on the shelf.

Bersten’s narrative keeps the scholarship accessible, pairing quirky anecdotes—like why coffee beans float while tea leaves sink—with insights into global commerce and domestic customs. Young adults and adults who enjoy true stories about what we drink will find plenty to savor, while antiquarian enthusiasts appreciate the period artwork and meticulous research.

This copy remains in very good shape: pages are clean, binding tight, and the only age mark is a faint foxing line along the top page edge that never seeps inside. Stored in a smoke-free home, it’s ready for gifting, collecting, or cozy reading with your favorite brew.