From Green Beans to Great Brews: 5 Reasons to Embrace Home Coffee Roasting

If you’re anything like me, you know how that first cup of coffee in the morning can make the day seem a whole lot brighter. With its warm, powerful notes of caramel, tobacco, or berries, it’s a perfect tasty little pick-me-up. But have you ever wondered how good coffee is made? 

Most people leave the mystery to rest in the hands of expert coffee roasters with impressive industrial machines. What if I told you that roasting your own fresh coffee at home isn’t as difficult as you might think? It only takes a few minutes in the oven to get a deliciously fresh cup of your own roasted coffee and, while it might not be as evenly roasted as professionally roasted coffee, it’ll be a great way to learn about the roasting process and the different flavours that come from it. 

So, why should everyone try home coffee roasting at least once? In this article, we’ll go through five good reasons why everyone should try roasting coffee at home. 

1. Learn more about coffee

A lot of people love coffee, but most would be hard-pressed to describe exactly what makes a good cup. Would you know how to recognise body, brightness, and aftertaste? Do you like your coffee earthy, or ashy, with notes of caramel or red berries? 

Roasting your own coffee will let you experiment with all sorts of origins of beans and types of roasts, giving you invaluable first-hand experience in the art of coffee-making. You’ll be able to detect the different flavours and aromas that make up a good coffee, as well as know exactly how you enjoy your own cup. You’ll also be able to ask for exactly what you want at coffee shops!

Different roasting times can also make the same beans taste incredibly different. Between the more herbal light roasts, the mellow medium roasts and the bold, smoky dark roasts, each type of bean will only fully reveal its flavours once it is roasted. Learning how to roast coffee at home will give you a good frame of reference as to what good coffee is supposed to taste like, as well as the defining notes of different roasts and varieties.

2. Elevate your coffee experience

Why should you learn to roast coffee at home? Simply so you can have freshly roasted coffee at home! Not only will you be learning about the theory of coffee roasting, such as the process and the flavours, but you’ll also be experimenting with them to create the best possible cup for yourself. Like a peak behind the curtains, knowing more about coffee making will let you know exactly what to look for in your next brew. 

As your coffee roasting expertise grows, you’ll also be able to start trying out different origins of beans, either mixed or single-origin, and diving into their similarities and differences. You’ll also be able to play with various roasting times: while there are three main categories of roasts, nothing is stopping you from bending the rules a little until you find what works for you. Maybe you like your medium roasted beans slightly on the lighter side, or maybe you like your roast extra dark.

All in all, you’re not simply making coffee: you’re creating a sensory experience for yourself. Picture yourself in your kitchen, choosing the perfect match from your various freshly roasted beans, delicious aromas filling the room as you grind and brew your first cup. Is there any better way to start the day?

3. Affordable and sustainable coffee

The perks of home-roasting aren’t limited to drinking really good coffee (though it’s definitely a plus!). As you learn more and more about the art of coffee-making, you’ll find that you don’t need to go to expensive coffee shops to get your caffeine fix anymore. You’ll also know exactly what to ask for to get the most bang for your buck, with the bonus of impressing your barista!

Buying green beans is also more cost-effective in the long run than buying roasted beans. Not to mention they keep a lot longer and a lot better! By buying green beans and roasting them in batches as needed, you’ll make sure to always have fresh coffee on hand at a fraction of the usual price.

And it’s not over yet! Roasting your own coffee will let you know exactly what is in your cup. By choosing your green coffee supplier carefully, you can pick the most sustainable option, paying attention to things like how it’s harvested and transported. Unlike pre-roasted coffee, green coffee beans can also last for twelve months without losing their flavours and aromas, meaning you can buy a larger bag that will last you a whole year and cut back on unnecessary packaging and unnecessary spending in one fell swoop. Talk about green coffee! 

4. Create your mindful coffee ritual

Here at OurHands, we believe that doing things with care and intent is a great way to live life more mindfully. Think about how most people consume their coffee: first thing in the morning, half-asleep, we pour some instant coffee and water into a cup and go about our day without taking the time to really appreciate either the process or the drink. 

By roasting your own coffee at home, you’ll learn to fall in love with the process of coffee-making itself. The aromas of freshly roasted beans filling your kitchen will be a delightful little break in your day, with the promise of delicious coffee to come. Maybe you can start your weekends by roasting a batch of coffee for the upcoming week, so you’ll be able to start each day with a fresh cup and a smile.

Coffee roasting is an easy and rewarding activity that yields great results right from the start, and will allow you to start each day with a fresh cup of your very own coffee. Can you think of a better addition to your morning routine? 

5. Find your coffee community

One of the most rewarding aspects of coffee roasting is getting to share your coffee with others. You can invite your family and friends over to try out your latest batch with some snacks and a film, or bring it with you to the office as a work-day treat and conversation starter. Roasting your coffee becomes a social act, as well as a mindful and rewarding one.

It’s not just about sharing your finished product, either. There are thousands of home-roasting communities out there that meet up online or in real life to share their experiments, discoveries, and tips. It’s a chance to get better at coffee roasting all the while meeting new people and making friends with similar interests.

 

If you’re still wondering ‘Should I try to roast coffee at home?’, the answer should now be a resounding ‘Yes!’. Roasting coffee at home is a great hobby that’s very rewarding and quite easy to get started with. Not only will you learn more about your personal coffee tastes, but you’ll also be able to build a mindful routine around your new hobby and start the day with a tasty homemade treat. You’ll also be able to meet people who are also into coffee and impress your friends with your newfound coffee-making skills.