Why and how to roast coffee beans

Coffee is an important part of everyday life for many people and has become a real passion in recent years. One of the most fascinating aspects of coffee enjoyment is the roasting of the coffee beans. In this article, we will look at the art of coffee roasting to give you an insight into this fascinating process.

The basics of coffee roasting

Roasting coffee beans is a process in which the green, raw coffee beans are turned into the brown, aromatic beans we all know and love by heating them. During the roasting process, the beans are heated, causing chemical reactions that influence the taste and aroma of the coffee. The roasting temperature and duration play a decisive role here.

Roasting degrees and flavor profiles

There are different degrees of roasting that influence the taste and aroma of the coffee. Here are the most common roasting degrees:

1. Light: With a light roast, the beans are roasted at lower temperatures, resulting in a lighter body and higher acidity. Light roasts bring out the original aromas of the coffee beans more strongly and are well suited to filter coffee.
2. Medium: A medium roast is balanced in body and acidity and is characterized by a greater depth of flavour. Slightly caramel notes also come to the fore here.
3. Dark: Dark roasts are roasted at higher temperatures, resulting in a fuller body and a stronger aroma. This develops roasted aromas such as chocolate, nut and smoke.

Coffee roasting methods

There are various methods for roasting coffee beans:

1. Hot air roasting: With this method, hot air flows around the beans, resulting in even roasting. Hot air roasters are easy to use and are well suited for domestic use.
2. Drum roasting: In drum roasting, the beans are heated in a rotating drum, which is heated either directly over a flame or indirectly using heated air. This method is often used in professional roasting plants and allows precise control over the roasting process.
3. Pan roasting: A traditional method in which the beans are roasted in a pan. This method requires a lot of attention and experience to ensure even roasting.

Roasting coffee at home

For coffee lovers who want to experience the roasting process for themselves and roast their own coffee, there are several ways to do this at home:

1. Home roasters: There are a variety of home roasters on the market that have been specially developed for roasting coffee beans. These appliances are easy to use and allow you to precisely control the degree of roasting.
2. Oven: You can also roast coffee beans in your oven. Spread the green beans evenly on a baking tray and roast at around 200°C until the desired degree of roasting is reached. Make sure to turn the beans regularly to ensure even roasting.
3. Popcorn machine: An unconventional method for roasting coffee beans is to use a popcorn machine. These appliances are well suited for roasting small quantities of coffee beans and allow good control over the roasting process.

Tips for the perfect roasting result

1. Fresh beans: Make sure to use fresh, green coffee beans of good quality. The quality of the raw beans has a major influence on the end result.
2. Even roasting: To achieve even roasting, it is important to move or turn the beans regularly, especially when using manual roasting methods such as a pan or oven.
3. Roasting time: The roasting time varies depending on the desired degree of roasting and roasting methods. Pay attention to the color of the beans and listen for the “first crack” (a cracking sound that occurs when the beans begin to expand) as an indicator of the beginning of the medium roast stage.
4. Cooling: After roasting, it is important to cool the beans quickly to stop the roasting process and avoid overheating. Use a sieve or cooling rack to cool the beans and at the same time remove the resulting roasting gases.

Roasting coffee beans is an exciting experience that gives you the opportunity to customize and experiment with the flavor profiles of your coffee. With a little practice and patience, you can master the art of coffee roasting and discover the joy of enjoying your home-roasted coffee.

Coffee beans by subscription

If you don’t have the time or inclination to roast the coffee beans yourself, you can have your favorite coffee beans conveniently delivered to your home by subscription at kaffiabo.ch.

You can read even more interesting facts about food here.

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