Methods Of Alaska Coffee Roasting

By Krystal Branch


Different types of coffee have different tastes, something that can be attributed to the process used in roasting. While varieties of beans also play a key role, it does not do so as much as roasting. The beans can be roasted using an oven, gas, on a stove top, using hot air popcorn popper or using a roaster that uses hot air. During the process, approximately 10 to 20 percent of the water weight of green beans comes off. In Alaska coffee roasting can be done in various ways.

The moment they have been roasted, what follows is either drying them using air or quenching with a spray. There are packages of coffee beans that are said to be water added. This will mean that during the quenching process, approximately 12 percent and above of weight is reabsorbed into the beans. Losing of flavor in beans is mostly due to evaporation whenever flavors mixed with gases the beans.

The best time to have coffee is not definite because different people have opinions that differ. The best time for an individual will be dependent on their taste. Most people however agree that the best time for brewing is straight after the beans have been roasted and within 24 hours after that time. The best time to grind is before brewing. Beans are roasted using a number of techniques.

The technique known as fluid bed roasting uses convection to cook beans. Direct heat is not used. Instead, hot air that permeates into the interior is what makes the beans to be roasted. Lengthy cooking will produce heavier flavors. Beans should be roasted and not burnt; hence control of temperature is very important.

The process does not involve the use of water, as one would think because of the use of the term fluid. The term is used in reference to the movement of beans which happens fluidly. Since they are placed in a chamber used for roasting, they float on a bed of air. It is there that they are subjected simultaneously to the same temperature. The advantage of this is that it enhances consistency and rarely will there be beans in fluid bed roasters with inconsistent roasts.

Drum roasted beans have a stronger flavor. They however tend to develop burnt tastes when they are roasted for a longer time. Just like in the fluid bed technique, the beans are roasted through the process of convection, with the only difference being that conduction is also used. Drum roasted beans have their flavor lingering around for a while after the beverage is consumed. Drum roasted beans have flavor that lingers for a longer time.

The use of drum roasters requires much less real training, unlike when fluid bed roasters are to be used. This is part of the reason these roasters are rarely bought for light use. Most people however prefer them because they are strong. They will not need high speed fans like in fluid bed roasters. Airflow is also effectively controlled.

For the residents of Alaska coffee roasting is also able to be done from home. Pan roasting is the best method to use from home since the equipment needed is not costly and no real training is required. The majority of people do not roast coffee individually because it is time consuming and needs precision for the best results.




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