Do you stand in line at the coffee shop every morning, waiting impatiently for that first hit of caffeine, only to be disappointed by substandard brew? It might be too bitter, too dark or not dark enough. Save a trip and get coffeehouse quality in the comfort of your own kitchen by roasting your own coffee beans.
If you can’t find the perfect roast, make your own at home! Oven-roasting your own coffee beans eliminates the need for fancy equipment but still gets the job done. You’ll be on your way to the coffee of your dreams in a few easy steps. Just remember to keep an eye on those beans — they can burn quickly.
After you roast your beans, learn how to make gourmet coffee drinks at home >>
Step 1: Select your beans
Unroasted coffee beans are raw and referred to as “green.” You will need green coffee beans for roasting. Choose a coffee bean depending on your personal preference, like Kenyan, Ethiopian or Jamaican. A coffee bean sampler might be a good place to start if you’re not sure which bean is your favorite.
Step 2: Set-up
To oven-roast your green coffee beans, you will need a perforated metal baking sheet, a spatula and a metal colander (ensure that the holes are not big enough for the beans to come through). Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Pour the green coffee beans onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Put the beans in the oven.
Step 3: Roast to perfection
After a few minutes in the oven, the beans will start to pop or crack. Once the popping starts, the beans will start to darken quickly. Move them around on the sheet with the spatula every few minutes to ensure a more even roast. It will take 10 to 15 minutes to achieve the desired color. Once the beans are roasted, remove them from the oven and pour them into the colander.
Step 4: Cool
The beans will continue roasting as they cool, so moving them around in the colander can help speed up the process. (If you have two colanders, pouring them from colander to colander is a good way to cool the beans and also helps knock the outer skins off.) Do not cool them in the refrigerator, as this will build moisture. Once cool, store in a tightly sealed jar.
Step 5: Wait, then brew
Although it is not necessary, letting the roasted beans rest for 24 hours ensures optimal flavor. After that, you’re ready to grind your freshly roasted coffee beans to make a perfect cup!
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