Coffee Roasters

Aspiring coffee connoisseurs in search of roasts worthy of their refined palate will savor this selection of the crème de la crème of coffee roasters, paired with professional barista brewing hacks in the following article to elevate their espresso game.

Fresh Roast SR800 Automatic Coffee Roasters

DYVEE Electric Roasting Machine 

Are you tired of drinking coffee that tastes like it's been hanging out in the back of a truck for weeks? Do you want to take your coffee game to the next level and become the ultimate coffee snob? Well, it's time to invest in a home coffee roaster! For coffee enthusiasts who like to take their passion one step further, investing in home coffee roasters is an excellent way to elevate the coffee experience. While buying pre-roasted coffee beans is convenient, roasting your own beans at home has a range of benefits that can lead to a more flavorful and personalized cup of coffee.

One of the main advantages of home roasting is the ability to control the roast level of the coffee. Coffee beans undergo a chemical transformation during the roasting process, and the length of the roast affects the flavor profile of the coffee. By roasting at home, coffee enthusiasts can experiment with different roast levels and create a customized flavor profile that suits their preferences.

Another benefit of using coffee roasters is the freshness of the coffee. Coffee beans start to lose flavor and aroma shortly after they are roasted, and pre-roasted beans may have been sitting on store shelves for weeks or even months before they reach the consumer. By roasting at home, coffee enthusiasts can ensure that they are using fresh beans that have been roasted to their liking.

Investing in home coffee roasters also provides an opportunity to explore different coffee varieties and origins. Many coffee roasters offer green coffee beans from a variety of regions, allowing home roasters to experiment with different flavors and aromas from around the world.

When it comes to selecting a home coffee roaster, there are many options available. Some of the key factors to consider include capacity, roast control, and ease of use. Brands such as JavaStar, FreshRoast, Giveroo, and Dyvee are all popular choices among home coffee roasters and offer a range of features and price points to suit different needs.

Roast Levels:

There are various roast levels that influence a coffee's flavor:

Light Roast - The beans are roasted for a short time at a relatively low temperature, resulting in a lighter color. The beans retain much of their natural acidity and fruity or floral notes. This roast works well for espresso or filter brewing.

Medium Roast - The beans are roasted longer at a higher temperature, turning a golden brown. Medium roast coffee has a well-balanced flavor with nutty or chocolatey tones. This is a popular "general purpose" roast level.   

Dark Roast - The beans are roasted the longest at the highest temperature, yielding a very dark brown or black color. A dark roast results in lower acidity and more robust flavors like caramel or molasses. Dark roasts tend to be bolder and work well for French press or drip coffee makers.

The roast level you choose depends on your preferred flavor intensity and brewing method. Experiment to find which level suits your taste.

Roasting Process:

The steps for roasting coffee at home are:

1. Preheat - Turn on the roaster 5 minutes before adding beans to allow it to come up to temperature.    

2. Add beans -Evenly distribute whole dried beans into the preheated roaster drum or pan.  

3. Roast -Let the beans roast, stirring occasionally for an even roast. The first "crack" sound will occur when they reach about 400°F, signaling yellowing.  

4. Monitor temperature - Adjust the roaster's heat if needed to ensure temperatures remain within your roast target range.   

5. Second crack -  The second "crack" occurs around 430°F, signaling the onset of a dark roast if roasting continues.   

6. Cool -When the desired color is reached, immediately remove the beans  and spread on a tray to halt the roast. Cooling is critical to avoid over-roasting.  

7. Rest - Let the roasted coffee rest in an airtight container for at least 12 hours to develop full flavor before brewing. This "rest" period is important.

With practice following these steps, you'll gain intuition for how the roast color, smell and crack sounds correlate to the final result. Take notes and sample each batch to track your progress.

Tips for Success:

• Start with a small batch - 1/4 to 1/2 lb of beans is good for your first roast.  

• Stir frequently - Every 1-2 minutes during roasting for an even color.   

• Listen for the cracks- But also watch the color as each roaster behaves differently.   

• Have a plan - Determine your ideal roast level before starting to guide the process.   

•Don't give up -Expect uneven or even ruined first few batches as you gain experience.  

With patience and by following these basics of coffee roasting, you'll soon be producing consistently good results at home. The most important thing is to enjoy the process, learn from each roast, and sample the results. Over time, you'll develop the skills and palate to roast coffee that rivals - or even exceeds - expensive specialty beans.