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Roasting Coffee Beans at Home
A step by step guide on how to roast coffee beans in the comfort of your own home
Published December 15, 2021
Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Do you love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning? The taste of a perfectly roasted bean? Then you should consider roasting your own coffee at home! It's easy to do, and you can customize the roast to your personal preference.
Plus, it's a fun project to do with friends or family. Ready to get started? Read on for tips and tricks on how to roast coffee at home!
Roasting Coffee Beans at Home
The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans is one of life's most divine smells. When you grind the rich, dark beans and make a pot of your favorite brew, you can't help but feel like everything in the world is going to be alright.
Roasting coffee at home has been a hobby for many people for years, but it's never been easier with today's technology. In this blog post we'll cover some tips on how to roast coffee beans at home from start to finish!
Choosing the Right Roaster
The first step to roasting is choosing the right kind of roaster. While there are quite a few options out there, not all home coffee roasters are made equal. Here are some key features that you should look for when looking at different machines:
Size
The most common mistake people make with home roasters is buying a machine that's too small. Keep in mind that the roaster must be big enough to accommodate all of your beans without spilling them during the roast, and it should also have room for those dark chaff pieces as well. This can make a huge difference when choosing a machine!
Speed
How fast the machine roasts is very important. If you're just starting out, we recommend buying an entry-level machine with a lower speed. It's much better to have the beans roasted too lightly than burned!
Temperature Control
Different roasts require different coffee roasting temperatures, so it's best to look for a machine that allows you to control the temperature during the roast. You want to avoid "cooking" or burning your coffee beans!
Price
Coffee is meant to be enjoyed, not wasted on a poor home roaster. There are many affordable machines on the market that will get the job done well, but there are also some expensive models that might be overkill for your needs. Keep in mind that higher price doesn't always improve quality when choosing a home roaster.
Roasting Coffee Beans - Step by Step
Now that you've chosen the right roaster, it's time to roast some coffee beans! Here are the basic steps:
Step 1: Check the Roaster and Beans
As with any project, it's important to check your materials before starting. Make sure that your roaster is turned off and disconnected from the power! Then, take a look at your beans. Are they fresh? Has their moisture level decreased?
If you're worried about either of these issues, then you might want to store your beans for a few days in an airtight container- just make sure that they are completely wrapped up so no light gets in!
Too much light exposure can cause negative effects on the flavor profile of your coffee.
Note: Keep in mind that once you roast coffee beans, their surface area expands by about 25%. This means that if you have 1 cup of raw beans, you will end up with about 1.25 cups of roasted beans.
Step 2: Preheat the Roaster
Before you start roasting your coffee, it's important to preheat your machine. This will help ensure an even roast. Different machines have different preheating requirements, so be sure to read your manual!
Step 3: Add the Beans to the Roaster
Once your machine is preheated, it's time to add the coffee beans! Make sure that they are spread out in a single layer on the roasting tray, and don't overcrowd them. If they're too close together, they might not roast evenly.
Step 4: Turn on the Roaster and Set the Temperature
Now that the beans are in, it's time to turn the machine on! Different machines have different controls for this, so be sure to read your manual before you start.
If you're feeling unsure about how the roast is going, feel free to open up the cover and check out your beans throughout the process- just make sure that they don't get too hot or you might burn them!
Step 5: Listen for When the Beans are Roasted
The final step is listening for when your coffee beans are roasted. This varies depending on how dark of a roast you prefer; darker roasts tend to crackle more than lighter roasts.
Once the beans have reached your desired level of roast, it's time to take them out! Be very careful, as they will be very hot. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before storing them in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Now that you know all about roasting coffee beans at home, it's time to start experimenting with different flavors and roasts until you find the perfect cup for you! Keep in mind that home roasting can be addictive, so be prepared to start stocking up on green coffee beans!
FAQs
What is the best coffee bean roaster?
It all depends on your budget, but there are many affordable machines that will get the job done well. It's generally not necessary to spend lots of money on a machine for home use; you can always upgrade later!
How long does it take to roast coffee beans at home?
This varies depending on how dark you like your roast. Roasting darker beans tends to take longer than roasting lighter beans. Roast times typically range between 6 and 15 minutes, with an average time of about 9 minutes.
What comes after coffee beans are roasted?
Once your coffee beans are roasted, you can enjoy them however you like! Some people like to drink them black, while others add milk and sugar. You can also use roasted coffee beans in recipes or make coffee drinks at home.
Final Thoughts
Roasting coffee beans at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many different coffee roast levels, so experiment with the various roast levels to see what you like best. You may find that dark roasted beans taste too bitter or light roasted beans don't have enough flavor for your liking. It’s all about experimenting! Good luck!
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
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