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.
The modern machines vary in the level of control that can be exercised. It is possible to operate them manually or use semi-automatic and automatic control. They also vary in capacity with some designed to handle high volumes and others to handle medium sized or small volumes. They have various ways of monitoring times, temperatures and color development.
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.
The beans emit a cracking sound when they are heated. The beginning and end of the first crack and second crack as well as the length of time between the two are usually measured. This is used to determine timing for different roasts. Color changes are noted, the most significant one being when color turns to yellow and the browning process begins. The beans swell when heated but at the same time their weight is reduced.
Various adjustments can be made to better express the sweetness, body or acidity of a particular variety. What is called a roast profile is developed for the different varieties and this helps with consistency from batch to batch. Specialized names are given to favorite roasts. In general, they fall into the categories of light, medium, medium-dark or dark.
Coffees are coming into their own as complex and flavorful beverages. Companies, both large and small, are devoted to producing the best quality roasts and selling equipment for roasting. The perfect roast is very much a matter of personal taste. It is possible to find excellent roasts online and they come in types to suit many different tastes, varying from light and medium to medium-dark or dark. One can also shop for the most modern roasting machines, easily comparing types and prices.
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.
The modern machines vary in the level of control that can be exercised. It is possible to operate them manually or use semi-automatic and automatic control. They also vary in capacity with some designed to handle high volumes and others to handle medium sized or small volumes. They have various ways of monitoring times, temperatures and color development.
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.
The beans emit a cracking sound when they are heated. The beginning and end of the first crack and second crack as well as the length of time between the two are usually measured. This is used to determine timing for different roasts. Color changes are noted, the most significant one being when color turns to yellow and the browning process begins. The beans swell when heated but at the same time their weight is reduced.
Various adjustments can be made to better express the sweetness, body or acidity of a particular variety. What is called a roast profile is developed for the different varieties and this helps with consistency from batch to batch. Specialized names are given to favorite roasts. In general, they fall into the categories of light, medium, medium-dark or dark.
Coffees are coming into their own as complex and flavorful beverages. Companies, both large and small, are devoted to producing the best quality roasts and selling equipment for roasting. The perfect roast is very much a matter of personal taste. It is possible to find excellent roasts online and they come in types to suit many different tastes, varying from light and medium to medium-dark or dark. One can also shop for the most modern roasting machines, easily comparing types and prices.
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