When you buy whole coffee beans, you’re buying them specifically for their roasted, caffeinated goodness, give the grinders a break and enjoy the full flavor and aroma of your beans.
Roasting freshly-purchased beans at home are simple enough, all you need is a little patience, a few tools, and some time to experiment with different roasting techniques until you find one that produces the dark, rich flavor and aroma that your senses crave.
What is a Whole Coffee Bean?
A whole coffee bean is a seed that is only removed from the fruit of the coffee cherry after the processing stage is complete, the cherry itself is the part that produces the seeds, which are then processed into beans.
This is why the beans should be used straight away after roasting, they’re not only at their best fresh but are also most flavorful, apart from the taste, there are lots of other reasons why you should buy whole beans.
The roasted seeds contain around 70% to 85% antioxidants called polyphenols that help protect against heart-related diseases, improve blood flow, and help eliminate free radicals from your body. You can also feel free to crack open the seeds and consume the oily substance inside as raw, organic coffee oil but remember, you’re not supposed to eat the beans.
How to Roast a Coffee Bean at Home
A coffee bean is at its peak of flavor the day after it’s roasted, so you’re best off buying whole beans and roasting them on the same day you buy them so that they have enough time to absorb the rich flavors while they’re still fresh.
To roast your best whole bean coffee, you’ll need a medium-sized roasting pan, a long-handled fork or a whisk, and some freshly ground coffee beans.
Start off by lightly moistening the bean by swishing them around in a small bowl with a spoon of water. Pour the beans into the pan and then roast them at about 250°F/121°C for about 3 to 4 minutes, you don’t need to stir the beans while they roast as they should be roasted evenly.
After the beans have been roasted, take them out of the pan and place them into an airtight container, the container should be airtight so that the beans have a chance to breathe while they’re sitting in your pantry. If you choose to store your roasted beans in an opaque container in your pantry, make sure that it’s sealed airtight so that the beans have a chance to breathe.
Equipment Required for Roasting
- Roasting pans: It’s best to use a heavy-gauge stainless-steel or specially designed glass roasting pan for roasting these pans conduct heat evenly, making for a better-roasted coffee.
- Racks: You can use any type of rack to roast your beans, but stainless-steel or porcelain racks help to keep the beans warm, preventing them from burning and staling.
- Drip tray: As with any type of cooking, your beans need to have a way to drain after roasting that’s where a roasting pan with a drain hole comes in handy, you can also use aluminum foil.
- Airtight container: An airtight container is essential to the success of whole-bean coffee roasting.