| Some Basic Information About Roasting |
You don't need a lot of sophisticated equipment to roast coffee. Our ancestors, or somebody's ancestors roasted coffee over open campfires on flat stones, tin pans, iron skillets, wire baskets...you name it. Although not documented, I wouldn't be surprised if some soldier roasted coffee in his metal helmet. If you think about it, those Roman helmets even had a built in spike to stick in the ground. All you NEED are green coffee beans and heat, and something to contain them.
Not many of us are inclined to use those methods today, so grab
a) a cookie sheet to put in the oven
b) a skillet to put on your stovetop - or campfire
c) an electric hot-air popcorn popper
d) a big metal spoon and a hair (blow) dryer
e) one of our fine coffee roasters
f) a wire basket to use over an open fire
g) anything else that will allow you to add heat to beans
Of course, we recommend "e)" because that's our business. That's important.
Now that you've selected "e)", there are more options, basically choosing between a fluid-air bed roaster and a drum roaster - we have two of each.
Fluid-air bed roasters tend to have smaller roasting capacities and roast much faster than drum roasters. The result is output per hour is about the same - not including the larger (1 kg.+) drum roasters.
Fluid-air bed roasters tend to produce more "brightness" or acidity in the roast, while drum roasters, with a slower roast cycle tend to lose some of that acidity in favor of more body in the roast. For those into aesthetics, it is easier to get a more even roast in a drum, therefore prettier beans. Of course, they look the same when ground, so what's the point.
Roast your beans the way you like them - there is no one perfect roast for everyone. It's one of those things that makes home roasting so much fun. YOU are the boss, do it the way YOU want it. If your friends don't like it, let them drink canned coffee. There is much more information on how to roast at Roast Styles/Names, so check it out.
After you've roasted your beans, don't forget to let them cure for at least four hours before grinding and brewing.
Happy Roasting ! ! !