Home Roasting Green Coffee Beans
Home roasting green coffee beans is not as hard as it sounds. It is how we first got into roasting coffee. We started with the stovetop method and still roast like this when we get new samples of beans. It can be a whole lot of fun and you can’t get fresher beans than ones you’ve roasted yourself! All our single origin beans are available green for you to roast at home. Why not try our Costa Rican Tarrazu and select Green beans option?
There are 3 home coffee roasting methods:
- Oven
- Popcorn Popper
- Stove top (frying pan)
Things you’ll need for coffee roasting:
- Green coffee beans (essential!) All our coffees are available in green beans
- A roasting device (oven, popcorn popper, or stovetop pan)
- A colander or mesh sieve
- A wooden spoon or spatula
- A large bowl for cooling
- A fan or hair dryer (optional, for cooling)
- A storage container
Coffee Roasting – Stovetop Pan Method:
- Preheat the Pan: Preheat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
- Add the Beans: Add a single layer of green coffee beans to the pan.
- Roast the Beans: Stir the beans continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula to ensure even roasting. Listen for the “first crack” and continue roasting to your desired roast level. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.
Coffee Roasting – Popcorn Popper Method:
- Preheat your popcorn popper according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Add the Beans: Add about 1/2 cup of green coffee beans to the popper.
- Roast the Beans: Start the popper and roast the beans, shaking the popper occasionally to ensure even roasting. Listen for the “first crack” and continue to your desired roast level. This process typically takes 5-7 minutes
Coffee Roasting – Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 230°C
- Prepare the Beans: Spread the green coffee beans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Ensure they are evenly distributed.
- Roast the Beans: Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and roast the beans for about 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even roasting.
- Monitor the Roast: Listen for the “first crack” (a cracking sound), which usually occurs around 8-12 minutes. This indicates the beans are entering a light roast stage. If you prefer a darker roast, continue roasting until you hear the “second crack.”
Post Coffee Roasting Steps:
- Cool the Beans: Once the desired roast level is achieved, remove the beans from the container immediately. Pour the beans into a colander or mesh sieve and shake them to remove any chaff (the thin skin that comes off during roasting).Use a fan or let the beans air out in a large bowl to cool them quickly.
- Degassing: Let the roasted beans rest for 12-24 hours to allow them to degas (release carbon dioxide).
- Storage: Store the roasted beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. For the best flavour, use the beans within 1-4 weeks but up good for upto a year
Coffee Roasting Tips:
- Ventilation: Ensure you have good ventilation, as roasting coffee beans can produce a lot of smoke.
- Even Roasting: Stir or shake the beans frequently during roasting to ensure even cooking.
- Cooling: Rapidly cool the beans after roasting to stop the cooking process and preserve the flavour.
- Enjoy your freshly roasted coffee beans!
