Modern And Efficient Specialty Coffee Roasters

By Kerri Stout


Coffee beans grown in different micro-climates are distinctive from one another and this is just one of the factors that affects their quality. Plant a great variety in the wrong soil or at the wrong altitude and the resulting product is inferior. Roasting is another factor that affects quality and modern specialty coffee roasters allow for more control over the roasting process. Despite the fact that these machines are usually user-friendly, it takes technical skill and experience to take the best varieties and reveal their full potential by roasting.

Commercially, drums and hot-air machines are generally used for roasting. A drum machine has a rotating drum in which beans are placed. They are heated by a heat source like gas or electricity and tumble about in the drum. The hot-air machine works by roasting the beans on a currant of hot air. Modern machines are computerized and although they are far superior to crude ones used in the past, the basic principle is the same. The green bean is heated in order for its flavor to be released. Various methods are used to control and monitor roasting.

Drum roasters vary in capacity and level of control. Commercial ones are designed for high-volume roasting across the entire color-development spectrum. Others offer the same capabilities but come in smaller, tabletop designs. Continuous monitoring tools and user-friendly controls ensure precise, consistent results. Manual, automatic and semiautomatic control options are available.

A chemical process takes place when beans are heated. They are transformed from being green and spongy to brown and crunchy, developing flavor in the process. They have to be brought to a high temperature quickly and then cooled down rapidly. A few seconds too long at a certain temperature and a batch can be ruined.

All the variables involved in the process have to be carefully managed to create a successful roast. Some of these variables are the size of a batch and the moisture content of a particular variety. Times and temperatures are carefully measured, such as when the process begins, when a certain temperature is reached and when cooling begins.

Color changes occur as the beans are heated. They first turn yellow and then begin browning. Some roasts are light brown, others are medium or medium-dark and others are dark. The beans also start producing a cracking sound when roasted. The times at which the cracks occur and for how long is measured. A bean swells and increases in size when heated but it loses moisture. The amount of moisture lost can be established by taking weight measurements before and after roasting.

Adjustments are made to times and temperatures in order to fully capture the sweetness, acidity or body of a certain variety. A roast profile is created for each variety and this helps to establish consistency between different batches. Each type of roast is given a special name.

More and more people are becoming aware of fine coffees and many specialist companies, both large and small, are springing up worldwide. Some stores specialize in providing equipment for roasting and others supply fine roasts. One can shop for equipment according to type, size and price. A perfect roast is often subjective and there are many varieties at online stores from which to choose.




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