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Roast Coffee Beans At Home – Your Guide to Why You Should Start Roasting Coffee

I was a barista during my university years at a local coffee and smoothie shop. I remember being so excited when I got the job because I loved coffee and concocting various drinks. Of course back then my go to drink was an iced hazelnut latte with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Nowadays, I occasionally indulge in an espresso or cortado. Daily I enjoy a good cup of drip coffee – black. While my husband thinks there is nostalgia in gas station coffee, the thought is abhorrent to me. I need a coffee that is not one note in flavor. Which is why when I found out that we could buy green coffee beans and roast our own, I was all in! I’ll do anything for a good cup of coffee. So, if you are here wondering how do you roast coffee beans—you’ve come to the right place!

Whether you’re seeking the perfect cup, cost-saving revelations, or trying to decide to roast your own beans, this is a great place to start exploring roasting your coffee beans at home. By the end our our guides, you should be ready to roast coffee beans at home with the right knowledge and tool set.

Coffee Guides Parts 1 & 2

I broke this topic into two parts. In Part 1 I set the stage by uncovering the “why” behind home roasting. Here you’ll find out what happens during the roasting process. I get into the heart of the roasting process, from the transformative power of cracks to uncovering nuanced roast levels. And I explain what and why degassing matters.

In the Part 2 post, I give step by step instructions for roasting coffee at home using an oven. I also go over equipment and tools you need to roast. While it may be tempting to skip straight to part two and get into the steps, I implore you to pause and take in part 1. Explore the sections below on roast types, cracks, and degassing if you are unfamiliar with them. You’ll want an understanding of what these topics are when you begin personal roasting.

So let’s get started!

Why Roast Coffee at Home?

Beyond exceptional flavors, roasting coffee at home offers remarkable value. With the process taking less than 30 minutes, you can easily fit roasting into your busy schedule.

Cost Savings and Value from Roasting Coffee Beans at Home

Roasting coffee beans at home is cost friendly. While premium store-bought coffee can quickly add up, sourcing green beans and roasting them yourself is much more economical.

Let’s do a quick comparison. A pound of high-quality, roasted coffee beans from a specialty store might cost you significantly more than an equivalent amount of green beans. Currently, in Central Texas, a premium bag of coffee can cost anywhere from $15-20+ for 3/4 of a pound. A pound of green coffee beans costs only $5-8+ depending on the origin. We’ve found there is a 20% loss in weight when going from green beans to roasted beans. That puts the weight just over 3/4 of a pound after you roast one pound of green beans.

Therefore it costs at least 3-4x more to buy premium roasted coffee beans than to roast your own. Less than thirty minutes of easy labor makes these savings worth it! And hey, even if you are used to buying generic store brand or gas-station coffee — for the same price, you can upgrade more than ten-fold the amount of flavor by roasting beans at home!

Think of it as an investment in quality and indulgence, minus the premium price tag. With each batch you roast, you’re creating a brew at a fraction of the cost, ensuring both your palate and wallet are pleased. This cost-effective approach offers substantial long-term savings.

Unique Flavor Profiles from Roasting Coffee Beans at Home

Roasting coffee beans opens a world of flavor possibilities that you cannot find in generic store-bought options. Different coffee beans from various regions carry distinct flavor profiles influenced by their geographic origin, altitude, and processing methods. By roasting at home, you can tailor the roast level to accentuate these flavors, creating a brew that suits your taste preferences.

Imagine savoring the rich, chocolatey undertones of beans from South America, the fruity and floral notes of African beans, or the earthy, nutty tones from Asia. Compare this to uniform, bitter, harsh taste of mass-produced commercial coffee brands. Learning how to roast coffee at home helps transform your daily coffee ritual into something special.

The Art of Coffee Roasting

Roasting coffee is a process that takes green coffee beans on a transformation from raw to complex gems. As a green bean is introduced to heat, over some time, the internal chemistry shifts, sugars caramelize, and oils emerge, birthing a spectrum of flavors and aromas.

Exploring Types of Roasts

The roast level you choose to roast significantly impacts the taste and character of your cup.

• Light roasts, with their delicate and nuanced profiles, preserve the bean’s inherent brightness and floral notes.
• Medium roasts strike a balance between origin flavors and caramelized sweetness, making them ideal for a variety of brew methods.
• Dark roasts deepen into robust, bittersweet territory, unveiling rich chocolate and smoky undertones.

Time correlates to roast type and depth: the darker and deeper the roast, the more time required to roast the beans.

When selecting a roast, consider the brewing method. Light and medium roasts often shine in pour-over or drip brews, while dark roasts stand strong in espresso and milk-based drinks. Cold brew enthusiasts may lean towards medium or dark roasts to maintain boldness amidst the extended steeping process. The beauty lies in tailoring your choice to match your preference – whether you’re captivated by the brightness of a sunrise, the balance of a midday, or the depth of a starlit night.

For determining the right color for your preferred roast, check out this guide that helps distinguish between different roast types.

First and Second Cracks in Roasting Coffee

In the world of coffee roasting, cracks are not signs of weakness but rather indicators of transformation. As beans roast, they emit distinct audible sounds called cracks – natural milestones that mark key stages of the process. The first crack, a series of rapid pops resembling popcorn, signals that the beans are undergoing chemical changes. It’s a gateway to light and medium roasts, where flavors are bright and origin characteristics shine.

The second crack, characterized by a sharper, more intense sound, heralds a shift towards darker roasts. It’s a dance between caramelization and the bean’s internal oils, leading to richer profiles with bittersweet undertones. Beyond this point, you can explore the realm of French, Italian, or even espresso roasts.

Understanding the significance of these cracksallows you to control the outcome of your roast. First-crack offers an opportunity to capture nuanced flavors, while second-crack adds depth and complexity. As you experiment with different roasting times, the balance of flavors shifts, unlocking a world of possibilities. Cracks are not mere sounds; they are the symphony of flavors developing.

Unleashing Flavor: Importance of Degassing

Roasting coffee beans is just the beginning of the bean’s journey. After the beans come out of the heat, they enter a period of transformation called degassing. During this crucial phase, carbon dioxide (CO2) – a natural byproduct of roasting – is released from the beans. This process is essential for allowing the flavors to develop fully and harmonize.

While it’s tempting to dive right into brewing, allowing your beans to rest for two to three days after roasting is a game-changing step. This resting period lets the CO2 escape, preventing it from interfering with the brewing process and ensuring a smooth extraction. The result? An immaculate cup that sings with balanced flavors, free from the carbonic bite or underwhelming flavor that can plague beans brewed too soon.

To store freshly roasted beans, opt for an airtight container with a one-way valve. This valve lets the lingering CO2 escape while preventing oxygen from entering and aging your beans prematurely. Place the container in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve the optimal flavor profile until you’re ready to grind and brew.

Embark on Your Coffee Journey

Part 1 of our guide has taken us through the ‘why’ and into the artistry of the process. We’ve explored cost savings, unique flavor profiles, and the delicate process of degassing that makes each cup sing. In Part 2, I’ll dive into the actionable steps of how to roast coffee beans at home. I go over essential tools, step-by-step ‘how-to’ instructions, and expert tips that will turn your coffee rituals into a fun and fulfilling hobby.

Want to Try Our Coffee?

Would you love to experience the flavors we’ve uncovered in our roasts? If you like to try a cup of our carefully crafted home-roasted coffee, drop us a comment below and let us know! Your feedback will help us explore the possibility of sharing our small-batch coffee with fellow coffee enthusiasts like yourself.