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Green Coffee Beans To Roast

By Elnora McCullough


The best way to ensure freshness is to buy green coffee beans to roast. The process may be easy and fun or something very technical and challenging. For centuries, this was the only way that anyone enjoyed a cup of joe. It was only with the advent of commercial roasters that the bean began to be sealed in a jar, can or bag. Learning how can ensure a fresh cup.

Roasting time is relatively short but dependent on the method selected and the darkness one wants. Using a converted popcorn popper, most consumers prefer about 8-12 minutes. In the frying pan or roasting in the oven takes 14-18 minutes. Once finished, the product should be cooled quickly, allowed to sit for a day to degas.

Selecting the roasting method should take into consideration the individual's budget and amount of product used each day. If only an occasional pot is brewed, it may not be worth the time as it should be brewed within a few days of roasting. While the oven and frying pan methods are cheap, they may not provide an even roasting of each individual bean.

Flavor is influenced by the origin of the bean as well as the amount of heat it receives in roasting. Most consumers can benefit from initially ordering a sampler pack to determine the region they prefer. Many companies offer these types of options.

It is important to understand the process of roasting to get the flavor of the cup that is desired. During the first few minutes the product turn from a greenish
to a yellow color. The smell emitted is much like grass. Steam will start to escape as the heat causes their water content to evaporate.

The first crack stage indicates the product becoming more fragrant. The name of this phase refers to a popping or cracking noise made by expanding beans as sugars caramelize and water escapes. Oils start to migrate in the heat.

First crack is the minimal amount of roasting before the product should be ground. This produces a mild bodied brew. Watch, smell and listen to the product as it tells the user the right time to stop. Cooling quickly will prevent the flavor from becoming too intense.

Heating further causes additional caramelization and volatile oils to move to the surface. Each bean starts to expand and grow darker. Most consumers prefer their brew from beans somewhere between the first and second crack. Stopping just before the second crack leads to a full bodied drink.

If heating past the second crack stage one should take precautions. The exploding bean can shoot particles as steam is released. These coffees have an extremely bold and smoky flavor.

French blends are created by adding more heat. They are also smoky and bold with more burned sugars and other vegetable matter that breaks down. They brew a strong coffee, like those from Starbucks.

Green coffee beans to roast can provide a good brew at home. The product is fresher than anything one can buy in a store. Whether roasted at home or commercially, the product begins to oxidize and loose flavor once it cools.




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