For the best coffee drinking experience, drink 100% Pure Kona Coffee – not a blend of Kona beans and beans from other origins. There’s no mistaking pure Kona coffee. For coffee drinkers, there is nothing like pure Kona coffee, but consumers should know about the different Kona coffee blends.
Continue reading Kona Coffee Blends — Know What You’re Drinking
Not all decaf coffee is the same. Dramatic flavor changes occur depending on the decaffeination process. We use carbon dioxide (CO2) to naturally decaffeinate our Kona coffee. The taste results are far superior to other methods. Keep the flavor – lose the caffeine.
Continue reading Decaffeinated Kona Coffee – The natural decaf
Since the quality of coffee begins to decline after roasting, many coffee drinkers consider roasting their own coffee at home. Ordinarily, when you roast coffee yourself, you know when it is fresh. Moreover, you control the level of roasting and can achieve the perfect cup at the end. While coffee is green, its quality will not drop for up to one year counting from the arrival date. However, to roast coffee at home, you need a purpose built roasting machine. So, what is the best coffee roaster for home?
Generally, you cannot say that a particular machine is the best coffee roaster. There are many options that you should consider and make a decision based on your preferences. When you choose a roaster, think about your budget, your desired roast, and the amount of coffee you normally drink.
First, if you like dark roasts, choose Gene Cafe or air roaster because they work better with dark roasts. Second, depending on the machine, you will be working with 4-12 oz. batches. Usually, 4 oz. of green coffee will result in 26-42 oz. of brewed coffee (depending on how strong you make your coffee). A Gene Cafe or a HotTop will make twice more coffee, while a Behmor 1600 will make up to a full pound of light roast. So, if you drink a lot of coffee, you should consider a larger drum roaster instead of an air roaster. Lastly, drum roasters are much more expensive compared to air roasters so plan accordingly.
Air roasters use hot air for moving and roasting coffee. Examples of those are Nesco and Fresh Roast. Usually, air roast takes about 8-12 minutes. If the roast stays less, the flavor might not develop completely. If the roast stays too long, the flavor might dull. Drum roasters are larger in size and they move the beans using a rotating drum. Examples of those machines are Behmor 1600, Gene Cafe and HotTop. It takes longer to roast the coffee using those, about 14-20 minutes. While air roasters make coffee brighter, drum roasters tend to develop the flavor better.
The longevity of the roaster depends on the regularity of use and maintenance. Small roasters normally last around two years. They might last longer if you use them less often, clean them regularly and make lighter roasts. However, if you use the roaster a lot, do not clean it, and make dark roasts, the machine can have a shorter lifespan. If you choose a drum roast, you have an option to replace parts instead of replacing the whole unit. This saves you money in the long run.
Smaller machines like Nesco or Fresh Roast do a great job roasting coffee beans. Fresh Roast is good for beginners, affordable and small, which makes it perfect for those who do not drink a lot of coffee. Nesco is bigger and has a feature for smoke reduction, which is great if you do not have good ventilation. It is tricky if you buy a large machine without knowing how to use it, but it is also tricky to buy a machine that will not produce enough coffee.
If you do drink a lot of coffee or if you already know some things about roasting, going with a larger drum machine is a good choice. Such roasters as HotTop, Gene Cafe, and Behmor allow you to control time and temperature. A lot of these machines now include programming features which help you tailor the roast to the coffee beans. All things considered, choose a roaster depending on your needs. Think about your budget, the amount of coffee you drink, and the desired roast.
Understanding how to roast coffee at home makes you appreciate the drink even more than before. In addition, your beans remain as fresh as possible and you control the lightness or darkness of the roast. Roasting coffee at home is exciting and very rewarding. So, how do you roast coffee at home?
If you want to achieve the best results, then you would want to use a purpose built roasting machine. However, you probably do not own one, so that would be your most expensive option. High quality roasting machines can range around $500. A cheaper way to roast coffee at home is by using a pan, grill, or oven.
Roasting is a process that includes several steps, which are the same for every roasting method. Firstly, the roasting temperature is normally between 350°F and 500°F. However, the exact temperature depends on the roasting method you are using. Secondly, beans need agitation – constantly moving beans will ensure an even roast. Thirdly, when the beans reach the right temperature they will “crack” for the first time. At this stage they are considered lightly roasted. For a medium to dark roast, let them stay for a few more minutes until you hear the second crack. Finally, cool the beans by shaking them between two metal colanders until they have cooled.
Roasting coffee in the oven or a pan is very popular because many people have these at home. This method is convenient and cheap, but it is very smoky. Also the beans need constant agitation to insure they are roasted evenly. Furthermore, make sure to avoid coated pans to preserve flavor of the beans. Ensure good ventilation before starting to roast. Use a thick pan and place it on medium heat. Next, add the beans leaving room for stirring and expansion of the beans. Constantly stirring, wait to hear the first crack a light roast and second crack for a medium to dark roasts. Continue with cooling down and removing chaff, then leave exposed for 1-3 days to de-gas.
Roasting coffee in the oven is also cheap, but very smoky and slower than other methods. Preheat oven to 500°F (this temperature may vary depending on the oven). Ensure good ventilation. Place the beans on a perforated tray on middle shelf in the oven. Wait for the first crack for a light roast and second crack for a medium roast. Cool down and remove chaff, then leave exposed for 1-3 days to de-gas.
A roasting machine is an expensive investment, but it is meant to last. It is also easy to use and to clean up afterwards. Firstly, always make sure you have good ventilation because roasting produces a lot of smoke. Secondly, follow manufacturer’s instructions for roasting. Some machines are fully automatic, but you still should look over the process. If your machine does not have a cooling process, use the colander method mentioned earlier. Leave the beans for 1-3 days to de-gas.
These are some of the methods of roasting coffee at home. All in all, it is up to you which one to use. Happy roasting!
