Okay, so I’ve been messing around with roasting coffee beans at home, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey! Today, I finally nailed what I’d call a decent French Roast. I’m no expert, you know, just someone that love drinking coffee and wanted to try to save some money, so don’t expect any fancy coffee jargon here. This is just my down-to-earth experience.
Getting Started
First, I got myself some green coffee beans. I chose the one that’s not very expensive, and it’s easy for beginner. Make sure they’re decent quality, though, because it really does make a difference.
Then, I used a simple Whirley-Pop popcorn popper. Yeah, I know, it’s not a “real” coffee roaster, but it works! I’ve seen some folks use ovens or fancy machines, but this seemed like the easiest way to start.
The Roasting Process
- I preheated the Whirley-Pop on my stovetop. I set the burner to medium-high, just like I was going to make popcorn.
- I added about a cup of green beans. You don’t want to overcrowd it, or they won’t roast evenly.
- I started cranking that handle! You gotta keep those beans moving constantly, so they don’t burn. It’s a bit of an arm workout, not gonna lie.
I learned that this is where the magic happens, and it all comes down to listening and watching.
After a few minutes, I heard the “first crack.” It sounds like popcorn popping, but a bit more…crackly, I guess? This means the beans are starting to roast.
I kept cranking and kept listening. The beans started turning yellow, then light brown. The smell was amazing, kind of grassy and toasty at the same time.
For a French Roast, you want to go way past the first crack. You’re waiting for the “second crack,” which is fainter and faster. It’s a very small sound, it’s hard to hear.
The beans turned a dark, oily brown. That’s what I was aiming for. The smoke increased quite a bit at this point, so I opened a window and turned on the kitchen fan.
Once I saw the color I wanted and heard those second cracks, I took the popper off the heat and poured them beans into a metal colander. That’s what I have at home.
I shook the colander outside to cool the beans down quickly and get rid of the chaff (the papery skin that comes off the beans). It was a bit messy, but hey, that’s part of the fun.
The Result
I let the beans cool completely and stored them in a jar with air inside. I know it is not the right way to restore them, but it’s okay for me. After about 12 hours, I ground some up and brewed a cup. Finally, I did it!
It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely a French Roast – bold, smoky, and a little bit bittersweet. And you know what? It tasted even better knowing I made it myself.
So, that’s my little adventure in home coffee roasting. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but totally worth it if you’re a coffee lover like me. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!
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