I like to have my cup of coffee in the comfiest of settings at home – watching the scenery out of my window and unwinding my mind slowly after a long tiring day. It is much better than the cup of coffee I inhale (literally!) at work while engrossed in a pile of deadlines.
However, I can only do so much to make my java experience divine as I do not know how fresh the coffee grounds are that I buy from the store. So, a couple of months ago, I switched to roasting coffee at home and grounding them, and the results were excellent! My coffee is fresher than ever, as I can roast the exact amount of beans I need.
If you wonder about the process and what it entails, you are reading the right guide.
Brief Guide to Roasting Your Own Coffee Beans
Step 1
First, you need to pick up some coffee beans from the store. A detailed guide on selecting the best coffee beans can help you a lot in purchasing the finest of the stock. A great tip regarding this is to get double the amount of coffee beans you need in the end to roast.
Coffee beans get bigger after roasting and lose almost half of their weight. Therefore, you must purchase green coffee beans accordingly.
Step 2
The next step is to decide which roasting method you want to go for, as every method has its advantages and disadvantages. The best practice is to consider how much you are willing to spend on the roasting equipment. Let’s review some methods:
- Skillet Roasting
Roasting the heavenly aromatic beans in an oven using a skillet pan is the most inexpensive method you can find. The equipment for this is already present in most homes. However, it is a method that requires practiced skills to achieve even-roasted beans.
You have to regulate the airflow in this method which is not something novices can master very quickly.
- Popcorn Machine Method
This method is the safest for beginners. However, it is somewhat risky for your machine warranty as this has to be done without the mesh screens at the bottom. Using this method, you can roast a handful of green coffee beans perfectly. Beware of roasting large quantities of beans via this method.
Step 3
Once you have decided on the method you will use for roasting the beans, you should start preparing for it. Clear out your countertops and prep whichever equipment you are using. Also, remember to ventilate your kitchen fully before you start roasting. Turn on an extractor fan so that the smoke is extracted outside.
Keep scales ready to weigh the beans and have utensils, such as a sieve or trays at hand to pour the beans out. Use heat-resistant gloves for handling hot pans.
Step 4
If you are using an automatic coffee roaster, it is best to go with the manual through every step. Pre-sets on the machine help you immensely and make the roasting process convenient. However, if you have opted for a popcorn machine, you can safely say that the roasting will be done in about 8 to 12 minutes.
Whether it is a skillet pan that you are using or any of the above, the important thing is to keep the beans moving for an even roast. Air flowing in through the beans and giving every piece a chance to be closer to the heat is what you need to be doing.
Tip: Be very careful when stirring the beans using a skillet pan as it is scalding.
Step 5
Once you see the sought-after roast on the beans, remove them from heat immediately to stop the roasting process further. Let the beans cool down using a sieve on parchment paper spread on a cooling tray. Remove any dried skin left on the beans.
As long as the beans are hot, the roasting process will go on, so make sure you stir them quickly and cool them down. If you live in a cold climate, you can easily put the beans outside to cool down. Or, you can put them in a sieve in front of a fan to let the cool air pass through them.
Tip: do not rush into brewing coffee right away after roasting. It is best to wait for about a day before you start grinding your aromatic roasted beans.
Step 6
Storing the roasted beans is the most critical step. A minor negligence in this step will ruin your coffee badly. Use a foil-lined bag that seals tightly to store roasted coffee beans and preserve their taste. After tightly closing the bag, keep it in a cool, dark place. You can also use an airtight jar for storing. Remember that heat, oxidation, and light are the top three things that can ruin the taste and aroma of your freshly roasted beans.
Tips on Roasting Your Own Coffee Beans
- It is good to be open to changes in roasting time. Do not strictly adhere to a single roasting time; instead, try and adjust the time according to the coffee beans to it every time you roast beans. Every time is a different story and situation.
- Correspond the roasting time and temperature to the size of the batch you are roasting. Larger batches of coffee beans might require a higher temperature and more time.
- Cracking the heat very high to catalyze the process will only result in scorched beans.
- Be attentive to the color of the beans as they roast and the sound of crack to know when the process is done.
Roasting Coffee at Home
Nothing is more delicious than knowing that the cup of coffee you are enjoying is fresh and delectable. The comfort of roasting your coffee beans at home is unmatched. While some may consider it hectic and additional work, the perfect roast that yields a fresh cup of coffee every time is the greatest satisfaction ever.
