The Home Roasting Coffee Guide

By Matt Jackson

The Love of Coffee

To many people, coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a way to socialize, it’s a reason to entertain, it’s a beverage to savor, and it’s definitely a way of life. Home roasting coffee has seen something of a turbulent ride. Until 100 years ago if you were a coffee drinker then you roasted your own coffee at home. But by the turn of the 20th century, the beginning of convenient pre-packaged coffee was taking a firm grip.

Eccentricity Abound

Even as little as ten years ago home roasting was considered an act saved for the slightly eccentric few with an obsession for coffee. And most of these eccentrics were forced to endure the torture of roasting in a popcorn maker. However, as the convenience of the Internet took hold, the convenience of instant coffee has begun to dwindle (just a little) in favor of those who prefer the hands on approach.

Bringing Coffee Home

Fortunately for those of us once considered slightly mad, the world of home roasting is truly opening up once more. There are finally home roasting kits available that a far cry from the traditional method of burning the beans in a pan and even from the innovative use of kitchen appliances like the popcorn maker. Now it is considered an art, or at least it is to some of us, and as more of us turn away from processed and freeze-dried food it is becoming an almost acceptable part of life to crank up the coffee roaster.

The Convenience of the 1960’s Finally Passed

The 1980s saw the gradual reintroduction of home roasting coffee beans. The world had finally worked out that convenience had a tendency to lean towards lack of flavor. This is when the hot air popcorn popper became the weapon of choice, certainly in preference to the unreliable pan. The underground coffee movement continued its slow but steady incline towards popularity until the mid 1990s.

The Beginning of a New Coffee Dawn

The end of the 20th century saw the home roaster come out of the gutter and begin to hit the mainstream. The first roasters were little more than relabeled popcorn poppers in all honesty except that they could also cool the beans quickly enough to prevent charring or scorching but that seed was planted in the minds and the kitchens of coffee lovers all around the world.

Even now when the world is seemingly turning its back on processed, convenience, garbage food there is a lack of home roasting equipment. It is out there if you look carefully and know where to begin looking but it is certainly much easier to buy a bread maker or a juicer than it is a coffee roaster.

The Common Home Roaster Set Up

This will depend entirely on the route you choose to take. Some still opt for the popcorn popper method of home roasting and while this offers little of the convenience of dedicated coffee roasters it does offer an education into the roasting process and there’s just something about modifying a popcorn popper (little or no actual modification is really needed) that makes it all the more satisfying.

The Modern Roaster

A modern set up really only requires the roaster and a blending bowl. If you intend to blend laboriously and master the art of roasting and blending then you will also need accurate digital scales and a scoop.

The Popcorn Maker

If you intend to use the popcorn maker that’s been sat in the back of the kitchen cupboard since you got it last Christmas then you will also need several other tools. Some of these are optional extras but will help you get the best tasting coffee you can.

Colanders. These must be metal and will be used to quickly air-cool the beans once they have finished roasting. This is an essential part of the roasting process because without the adequate cooling period the beans can become burnt or scorched.

Spoon. Most popcorn poppers allow some access to the popcorn, or in this case coffee beans, allowing you to stir and gently agitate the beans during the beginning of the process.

Thermometer. This is an unessential part of the set up in all honesty but it can be a good idea if you wish to perfect your own blending method. A digital probe thermometer is best.

Two bowls. One for your roasted beans and one for the chaff that you are left with.

Grinders and Coffee Makers

As well as the roasting kit you will also need to get yourself a grinder and an espresso maker or coffee machine. Don’t be fooled by the beautiful looks and aesthetic charm of the coffee maker because the grinder is the all-important part of this equation. A good grinder will help you get the best out of your freshly ground beans regardless of the quality of the espresso or coffee maker. Splash out a little more on the grinder and save a fortune on the coffee maker.

Be Warned

Be warned, once you start home roasting it is likely to overwhelm you. It’s not just the incredible taste although the incredible taste is truly incredible. It’s the feeling that you’re bucking the trend of ease and convenience in favor of well prepared and, above all else, fresh coffee. Once you roast you may never be able to drink another instant coffee or another Starbucks coffee ever again. And, for that, you will be grateful.

© Doityourself.com 2006