by Leann Zotis

Created on: February 02, 2009   Last Updated: February 11, 2009

For superior cup of coffee, nothing compares to making your own home roasted coffee beans. A good cup of coffee at home can be as simple as purchasing a bag or a can of ground coffee at the grocery store, taking it home and running it through your coffee pot. For those with more of a spirit of adventure, roasting coffee beans at home can be a simple, satisfying way to achieve the freshest cup of coffee.

The essentials are simple enough. All you need are green coffee beans, readily available at coffee specialty shops, and a decent sized skillet. Place the green coffee beans in the skillet on top of your stove and set the burner to a medium-high setting. Stay with your little project, stirring regularly, as burning the beans is a real possibility. The beans will change in color as they roast from their original greenish brown hue to a darker brown color.

The first sign that you're on the right track will be the pleasant coffee aroma that emanates from the beans. Continue to stir and turn the beans in the skillet for approximately 15 minutes. As the beans start to release their natural oils, you will notice a slightly greasy look to the beans. When the beans take on this greasy appearance, they have finished roasting to the level of normal coffee taste. If your preferences run towards a stronger, more intense flavor, continue roasting for another five minutes.

When the roasting process is complete, remove the beans from the skillet and place them on a baking sheet covered with paper towels or a cloth to absorb the excess oils. Allow them to cool. After they have cooled sufficiently, it's time to grind the beans. They can then be stored in an air tight storage container for future enjoyment. Don't get carried away at this point. The best coffee comes from the freshest beans. If you're planning to store your ground beans for longer than a week or two, consider freezing them to preserve the flavor.

Other methods of roasting coffee beans include roasting them on a baking sheet in the oven at 500F for 8-10 minutes. The beans crackling and giving off a strong essence of coffee aroma will be signs that the roasting is nearly complete.

Roasting coffee beans can be a sensitive project. Never walk away and leave the beans unattended. Burning is a real and constant concern on this project. You are going to enjoy the fruits of your labor over and over again, so it's worth it to give this project your undivided attention.

Roasting coffee beans at home is becoming increasingly popular because it is fun, not very difficult or time consuming, economical and provides for a perfectly fresh brewed cup of coffee. It's one more way to add a unique touch to your home entertaining.

Green coffee beans, if stored properly, can last for years, making home roasting an easy and affordable pastime. Collect a variety of flaovrs of green coffee beans to impress your friends and family with the delicious coffee you serve any time you get together. Who knows, you may decide to open your own coffee shop with coffee you have roasted yourself.

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