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It's hard to put into words the sheer pleasure of sipping a cup of coffee made from beans you roasted yourself. Home-roasted coffee is always fresher and offers a unique, extraordinary flavor that store-bought coffee simply can't match. Check out step 1 below to learn how to roast coffee beans at home and savor its distinct taste. Once roasted, you can start brewing your coffee.
Steps
Basic Coffee Roasting Techniques
No matter which method you choose for roasting coffee, it's essential to remember the characteristics of coffee during the process. Typically, the roasting time depends on your personal taste preferences.
Pay attention to the aroma of the coffee. When you first heat fresh coffee beans, they will turn slightly yellow and emit a grassy smell. As the roasting process begins, the beans will start to smoke and release the distinct aroma of coffee.
Roasting time depends on the color of the coffee beans. You will roast the beans from their 'green' state, and they will transition through various shades during the process. A general rule to remember is that the darker the beans, the stronger the flavor.
- Light Brown: Generally, avoid stopping at this stage, as lightly roasted beans tend to taste sour. The flavor is mild, the aroma is moderate, and the sweetness is low.
- Medium Light Brown: This roast is popular in the eastern United States. The coffee has a rich flavor, strong aroma, and mild sweetness.
- Medium Brown: Commonly found in the western United States. The coffee has a bold flavor, strong aroma, and mild sweetness.
- Medium Dark Brown: Also known as light French or Viennese roast. The beans have a very bold flavor, strong aroma, and rich sweetness.
- Dark Brown: Known as espresso or French roast. The beans have a bold flavor, moderate aroma, and rich sweetness.
- Very Dark (almost black): Referred to as Spanish or dark French roast. The beans have a mild flavor, light aroma, and low sweetness.
Listen for the cracking sounds of the coffee. As the coffee begins to roast, the moisture inside the beans evaporates, causing them to crack. There are typically two stages of cracking, known as the first and second cracks. These sounds occur as the temperature rises during the roasting process.
Using an Oven
Ovens have limited air circulation, so coffee roasted in them may not be as even. However, the lack of airflow can also enhance the coffee's flavor if roasted correctly.
Preheat the oven to 230°C. While waiting for the oven to heat up, prepare your roasting pan. For this method, you'll need a perforated baking tray or one with small grooves and raised edges to prevent the coffee beans from spilling out. You can find such pans at any kitchenware store.
- If you don't want to buy a new pan but have an old baking tray with raised edges, you can convert it into a coffee roasting tray. Carefully drill 3 mm holes into the tray, spacing them 1.3 cm apart and ensuring they're small enough to keep the beans from falling through.
Spread the coffee beans evenly on the tray. Pour the beans onto the tray, forming a single layer across the bottom. The beans should be close together but not overlapping. Once the oven is hot, place the tray on the middle rack.
Roast the coffee beans for 15 to 20 minutes. Listen for cracking or popping sounds, which indicate that the moisture inside the beans is evaporating. These sounds signal that the beans are roasting and darkening. Stir the beans every few minutes to ensure even roasting.
Remove the coffee from the oven. Once the beans have reached your desired roast level, quickly take them out of the oven. Cool the beans by pouring them into a metal colander and stirring them. This step helps cool the beans and removes any loose chaff.
Using a Popcorn Popper (Air Popcorn Maker)
You can roast coffee on the stove using an old popcorn popper. The best option is a hand-crank style popper, which you can find at second-hand kitchenware stores or online. Stove-roasted coffee tends to have a bolder flavor, though the aroma and color may be lighter.
Place the popcorn popper on the stove. Set the heat to medium, aiming for a temperature of around 230°C inside the popper. If possible, use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- If you don’t have a popcorn popper and don’t want to buy one, you can use a large pan instead. Make sure the pan is thoroughly clean, as any residual odors from previous cooking can affect the coffee’s flavor.
Add the coffee beans. Only roast about 200 grams of beans per batch. Close the lid of the popcorn popper and start turning the hand crank. You’ll need to rotate it continuously to ensure even roasting.
- If using a pan, you’ll also need to stir constantly – coffee roasted in a pan is much more prone to burning.
Listen for the cracking sounds of the coffee. After about 4 minutes (though it could take up to 7 minutes), you’ll start hearing cracking sounds – this means the beans are beginning to roast. At the same time, the coffee will release its characteristic rich aroma. Turn on the exhaust fan and open a window to let the smoke out. Note the time when the beans start cracking.
Check the color of the beans frequently. One minute after the beans start cracking, begin checking their color. Once the beans reach your desired shade, pour them into a colander and continue stirring until they cool down.
Using an Air Roaster
Consider the pros and cons of this method. Coffee roasters are a more expensive option but are highly efficient. These devices work similarly to popcorn poppers – hot air is blown through the coffee beans. However, air roasters produce very evenly roasted beans.
Consider using a hot air roaster. This type of roaster works by circulating hot air around the coffee beans. It features a glass chamber, allowing you to monitor the color of the beans as they roast to achieve the desired shade.
- Popular models of this type include the FreshRoast8, Hearthware I-Roast 2, and Nesco Professional. Follow the device’s instructions for perfectly roasted beans.
Finished.
Tips
- Roast coffee in a well-ventilated area to avoid smoke buildup. Avoid roasting near smoke detectors, as the smoke produced can trigger them, leading to false alarms.
- Wait at least 24 hours after roasting before grinding and brewing your coffee for the best flavor.
What You'll Need
- Green coffee beans
Oven Method
- Oven
- Perforated baking tray
- Spatula
- Metal colander
Popcorn Popper Method
- Popcorn popper
- Candy thermometer
- Metal colander
Air Roaster Method
- Air roaster
- Well-ventilated space
