Quick answer: To roast coffee beans at home, buy green coffee, heat it in a small hand roaster or heavy skillet while keeping the beans moving, and stop when they reach the color you want: just into first crack for light, before second crack for medium, at second crack for dark. Cool them fast, remove the chaff, and rest them before storing.
We find roasting our own coffee one of the most relaxing morning rituals, and it means you get exactly the roast you like, whether light, medium or dark. All you need is green coffee, a heat source and a little patience.
In this guide 8 sections
What does roasting do to coffee beans?
To understand coffee roasting you have to first understand what coffee is and where it comes from. Originally, coffee is a small fruit and the coffee bean is the seed. First, we process the fruit by stripping the flesh and leaving just the seed. Then, we dry the seeds.
At this stage, it is considered green coffee beans. This is what you buy for roasting your own beans (more on raw beans in our green coffee bean guide). When it is like this, green coffee can be stored for long periods of time before it is roasted. Producers ship green coffee globally.
By roasting green coffee it drastically changes the flavor profile of the bean. Unroasted, the beans taste grassy and are not pleasant to brew.
When you start roasting moisture trapped within the bean starts evaporating. As roasting continues, sugars caramelize and the Maillard reaction between sugars and amino acids creates the complex flavor of coffee that we know and love.
How long does home-roasted coffee stay fresh?
After you finish roasting the beans it immediately starts to decay. This is why we stress drinking coffee as close to the roasting date as possible. We recommend within one or two weeks; see how to keep coffee fresher.
What are the different roast levels?
Each roast level tastes different and suits different brewing methods.
Light Roast
Lightly roasted coffee beans are still light in color and have a lighter body. They should show no oil on the surface; if they start looking oily, you have gone too far (here is why coffee beans get oily). This kind of roasting brings out the light, fragrant floral, and fruity notes of the coffee. It keeps more acidity and needs less time in the roaster.
To get a light roast on your coffee you will want an internal temperature of 356 to 401 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually falls right at the beginning of the first crack.
Medium Roast
Most popular coffees are a medium roast because it appeals to the widest audience. A medium roast gives the coffee a mild amount of acidity and a fuller body. Medium roasts are taken past the end of first crack but stopped before second crack.
You are aiming to be around 410 to 428 degrees Fahrenheit of internal temperature. This results in a medium brown looking bean with a non-oily surface.
Medium-Dark Roast
When you reach this point in roasting the oils of the coffee start to appear. This happens when you approach the 2nd crack. At this point, the flavor profile changes and you begin to taste hints of spice and heavier body.
Medium-dark roast coffee has a bittersweet aftertaste. To roast this coffee you must reach an internal temperature of 437 to 446 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dark Roast
The last roast is the dark roast. This is the hardest roast to do without the right equipment. It is tough to get the right temperature without ruining the whole batch. You will be roasting to the second crack. Coffee beans will take on an oily sheen and most of the acidity will be removed.
You need to get the internal temperature to around 464 to 484 degrees Fahrenheit. However, at this point, the taste of the roasted coffee may lose a lot of its original characteristics and taste like a generic dark roasted coffee. It varies from each person’s preferences and it may take on a burnt flavor if you are not careful.
How do you start roasting coffee beans at home?
You will need a few supplies to properly roast your beans.
- Green Coffee Beans – You can get many different types of beans from different locations. Once you start, you will want to try them all.
- Coffee Roaster – Our preferred coffee roaster is a small handheld roaster that is perfect for starting out. It is called the Nuvo Eco Ceramic Coffee Bean Roaster and it is amazing.
- Storage Container – When you finish roasting your coffee the quality of the beans steadily decrease. The best thing to do is to drink the roasted coffee immediately, but if you can’t its best to store it in an airtight container.
Roasting coffee beans is something you can do in your own home. You can get started using your kitchen stove and a few pieces of equipment. To successfully roast your beans heat the beans anywhere between 370 to 540 degrees Fahrenheit.
When heating the beans keep them in motion. Keep moving them so they do not burn. This can easily be done with a handheld coffee roaster just by shaking the beans around. It is best to do this in an area with a lot of ventilation. Roasting coffee creates a lot of smoke.
Our favorite home coffee roaster
This is a great little roaster for beginners, and we take it everywhere. We have even taken this roaster camping. If you want to see some great camping gear for brewing coffee check this article.
The design of this roaster is great because it acts as an oven to evenly roast all your green coffee beans. As a result, you can get a perfect batch of coffee every time. When you are finished roasting the quick discharge allows for easy cleanup and cooling. You will have full control of all your coffee when you have your own roaster. It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
How do you cool beans and remove the chaff?
When you are done roasting your coffee you have to dump your beans onto a tray or baking sheet to cool. Slightly shake your tray to allow the beans to cool. Then you have to remove the chaff. The chaff is the outer skins of the coffee beans and falls off when the coffee is roasted. While the chaff falls off the bean you still have to separate from your beans. You don’t need to remove every piece but the more you get out the better.
Our method to remove the chaff without creating too much of a mess is pouring the freshly roasted coffee beans between two colanders. The beans will be caught by the colanders, but it will let all the chaff fall out.
Another method is to use a strong fan to blow the coffee beans after roasting. This will create a huge mess and blow the chaff everywhere, but it will separate all the coffee from the chaff.
The chaff is great for composting and if you already compost pile you can add it in. As it breaks down, it adds organic matter and nutrients to the compost.
Storing Your Beans
Make sure you store your beans in an airtight container. We prefer glass jars with rubber stoppers. The seal keeps air out, which slows staling. Read more on whether coffee goes bad.
We recommend waiting up to 12 hours before storing your beans to let gasses from the beans to dissipate.
Frequently asked questions
Can you roast coffee beans in a pan?
Yes. A heavy skillet on the stove works if you keep the beans moving constantly so they roast evenly. Expect a less even roast than with a dedicated roaster, and plenty of smoke, so ventilate well.
How long should roasted beans rest before brewing?
Let freshly roasted beans release gas for at least 12 hours before sealing them in a container. Most people find the flavor best within the first one to two weeks.
What temperature do you roast coffee beans at?
Light roasts reach roughly 356–401°F inside the bean, medium roughly 410–428°F, and dark roughly 464–484°F. Listening for first and second crack is an easier guide than temperature at home.
Not into roasting? Our best whole coffee beans guide covers ready-roasted options, or try one of our favorite K-Cup flavors.
nice article,thanks for sharing.
Great article, Light Roast coffee is my best choice in your article, I found a lot of information. Which one do you recommend for the best taste and smell? Thanks for sharing such an informative article. Hopefully, waiting for your more article in the future
As a barista says “perfect espresso is always light roasted” so nobody can blame you for prefering it light. 🙂
Dark roasts only become oily with time, watch some Ethiopians roast and brew coffee, very dark roast but never oily.