If you’ve been grumbling about the price of your daily coffee, brace yourself: it’s about to get worse. New tariffs are shaking up the global coffee trade, and that $6 latte might start looking more like a luxury than a habit. But there’s good news—if you’re willing to try something new. Home coffee roasting is not only one of the most rewarding hobbies out there, it might also be the smartest way to enjoy your favorite drink without draining your wallet.
How Roasting Coffee at Home Saves You Money
You can buy a full pound of specialty green coffee for roughly the same price as a single drink at many major coffee chains. But instead of one cup, that pound gives you enough to make 12–16 cups at home—tailored exactly to your taste. Over time, those savings really add up—especially if you’re currently buying coffee by the cup instead of the bag.
Not only will roasting your own coffee save you money, but it’s also a fun, rewarding, and engaging hobby with an extremely welcoming community. Connecting with other new roasters is as easy as jumping into our Facebook page or browsing the many subreddits dedicated to home coffee roasting. You'll find tips, encouragement, gear reviews, and roast logs from real people on the same journey.
Why Prices Are Rising
Coffee prices have already been rising over the past year due to supply chain issues and climate challenges—but now, with new import tariffs looming, even higher prices are on the horizon. While there's been a temporary pause on some tariffs as of today (4/11/25), a 10% baseline tariff on coffee from countries like Brazil and Colombia remains, with higher rates for Vietnam and other countries. As expected, retailers and roasters are preparing to pass those added costs along to consumers.
But here’s the silver lining: specialty green coffee is your workaround. By roasting at home, you bypass retail markups and tariffs, paying a fraction of the price for the same high-quality beans.
How to Start Roasting (No Experience Needed)
- 1. Grab an entry-level roaster:
- The Fresh Roast SR 800 is a great pick for beginners. It’s electric, easy to use, and delivers professional results in your kitchen.
- 2. Try a beginner-friendly sampler:
- Our Around the World Sample Pack includes five approachable, high-quality green beans from some of the best countries for coffee. Our Direct Trade Sample Pack features just a few of our many direct trade coffees, perfect for experienced and beginner roasters alike. Check each coffee’s product page for roasting profiles.
- 3. Roast, experiment, repeat:
- Start with small batches (1/4 lb), take notes, and adjust heat/time to match your taste. Within a few tries, you’ll nail your perfect roast.
Why This Is the Best Time to Start
- 1. Save money:
- Avoid tariff-driven price hikes by buying green beans in bulk.
- 2. Total control:
- Decide your roast level, freshness, and origin—no compromises.
- 3. It’s easier than ever:
- Modern home roasters (like the SR800) make the process foolproof.
You don’t have to become a pro overnight. Start small, have fun experimenting, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your skills—and your savings—grow. Roasting coffee at home is easier (and more rewarding) than most people think.
Not ready to buy a dedicated coffee roaster just yet? That’s okay. Many of our customers start with a simple popcorn popper—and while it works, most find themselves quickly upgrading to something more reliable and consistent, like the $209 Fresh Roast SR 540. We've even had folks roast coffee in their fireplace, using a welding torch and a metal drum, or rig up creative DIY setups to both save money and dive deeper into a seriously fun hobby. Point is, there's no one way to start—just your way.
At Coffee Bean Corral, we’ve helped home roasters since 1994. Whether you’re curious or committed, we’ve got the beans, gear, and expertise to help you succeed.
Tariffs may be raising prices, but your coffee doesn’t have to follow. Take control, save cash, and maybe even discover a passion along the way.
Learn, Roast, Repeat
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned roaster, we’ve got resources to help you keep learning.
Check out our YouTube channel, where you’ll find roasting demos, tutorials, and our Roast It Yourself podcast. Prefer to listen on the go? You can also find the Roast It Yourself podcast on all major podcast platforms.