Home roasting is the process of roasting green coffee beans in a small quantity for your personal consumption. People have actually been roasting their own coffee for centuries and prior to 1914 it was quite common.
Home roasting became a thing of the past for most when commercial roasters became commonplace and the convenience of "instant coffee" hit the market.
Now, as with any process, the newness of instant coffee has long worn off and people are increasingly trying to find the finest, freshest, best tasting coffee. Coffee is often thought of as one of the "simple pleasures" in life and a new refining is taking place. In order the get the ultimate cup, with the freshest and most tailored taste, people are turning to home roasting.
Home Coffee Roasting Machines
Home coffee roasting machines are becoming more widely available. They are easy to operate because they automate the roasting process and provide a controlled and even roast.
The most commonly purchased units are fluid bed roasters. These type roasters are less expensive than drum roasters. Fluid bed roasters can roast coffee beans in approximately 7-20 minutes at temperatures between 205 C (400 F) and 250 C (480 F) to reach peak flavor. They are also popular because they and are easy to clean and easy to maintain.
Fluid bed roasters are designed similarly to a hot air popcorn popper. They have a glass roasting chamber so you can view the roasting process. This also allows you to be able to check your roast and to stop the whenever the perfection achieved.
An average yield from these types of roasters ranges between 8 - 20 cups. This, however, is dependent on how strong you like your coffee and also the type of brewing system you use.
Fluid bed roasters are priced around $80.00 to $180.00. They are an inexpensive and rewarding way to explore home roasting.
Benefits of Home Roasting
Depending on the storage method, coffee flavor peaks approximately 24 hours to 7 days after the roasting process. With this in mind home roasters have the freshest roast possible.
Home roasters are able to roast in more exact amounts. This means that what they roast is what they consume and within the 7 day peak of freshness.
Green coffee beans are estimated to have a shelf life of one or more years when properly stored so the home roaster can keep an ample supply.
The home roaster is generally able to consume fresher coffee than typical commercially roasted coffee. The home roaster has control over exact roast times so they can tailor each batch to their individual preference.
With all recent interest in home roasting, and specifically the formation of home roasting cooperatives and internet green bean suppliers, there are now a very wide selection of high quality green beans available to the general public.
Things to Consider
Home roasting appliances have a small capacity. They vary from 75 grams (2.6 oz.) to 300 grams of green coffee.
Most home use roasting appliances do not have the capability to cool the beans rapidly enough. This can lead to dull or flat flavored beans.
Coffee roasting will produce smoke and fumes. It should be done in a well-ventilated area. Some kitchens do not allow for adequate ventilation. Roasting outdoors is not always an easy alternative, as the outdoor climate often requires difficult adjustments to produce a consistent roast.
Most people suggest to either have a dedicated circuit for the machine or not to use any other appliance while the roasting process is taking place.
Do It Yourself Home Roasting
Because people are always inventive and trying to get the best results, there have been many interesting home inventions devised to roast coffee. This has lead to kitchen appliances being morphed from their original purpose, to a higher use as a home roaster.
Some common morphed appliances include hot air popcorn poppers, stove-top popcorn poppers, heat guns, bread machines and barbecue roasters. The most popular methods are the hot air popcorn popper and the modified bread machine.
This method is particularly popular in Australia where the device has been named a 'Corretto' after the online nickname of its inventor.
The Best Method for Home Roasting
So, now that we have discussed some of the roasting machines available and methods, you want to know the final question. What is the best method for roasting coffee beans to perfection? As with all questions regarding people and tastes there are so many variables, there is no one way that is the best for home roasting.
Some home roasting machines will do a superior job at light roasts or some are better at dark roasts. Some people prefer an automatic roaster that is just "set it and forget it"; while others want to be involved and customize whole process. It all boils down to preferences for each individual.
The best way to find a home roaster for you is to first determine your specific preferences such as:
· Type of roast preferred: light, medium or dark.
· How much time do you want to spend? Some machines roast more quickly than others.
· How involved do you want to be in the roasting process? Fully automatic roasting, semi-automatic.
· How much do you want to roast at a time? The amount a roaster can handle vary. Some machines only roast in small batches and for serious coffee drinkers you will want a machine that can handle 2-5 lbs.
After determining your specific preferences, you will want to cover the basics as described above under things to consider and then start your research on what types, brands and models deliver the features you want and you may want to consider the warranty provided.
So, start small at first with a basic model or go for the gusto and buy the top of the line home roasting machine. No matter what your choice on roasting machines, it is always rewarding to roast you own beans and know that you have the freshest coffee beans possible.
About this Author
Know Your Beans. Providing information for all your coffee needs including coffee beans, roasting coffee, coffee machines and 100's of free coffee drink and dessert recipes. To get that perfect cup, you need to Know your beans! http://www.knowyourbeans.com
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