Roaster

First Roast, First Lessons

First Roast, First Lessons

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: Your first roast didn’t just turn out dark—it sparked a question about coffee’s alchemy. You popped beans in a popcorn popper, roasted too fast, and ended up with a cup that’s bold, uneven, and oddly satisfying. The result? A messy experiment that’s already made you rethink everything. Roast level isn’t just about darkness. It’s a dance between time, heat, and the bean’s inherent character. Your popcorn popper likely over-roasted because it’s a crude tool, but the outcome still hints at a deeper truth: some beans thrive in specific roasts. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, for example, reveals…
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Supermarket Coffee Is Evolving – But Roasters Face a Tough Battle

Supermarket Coffee Is Evolving – But Roasters Face a Tough Battle

The supermarket coffee aisle is no longer just a graveyard of dark roasts and instant brews. It’s evolving, but the path for specialty roasters is anything but easy. While demand for higher-quality, diverse offerings is rising, competing with giants and navigating shelf space limitations remains a hurdle. For roasters like North Roast and Upper Left Coffee Roasters, the grocery store is a double-edged sword: a chance to reach millions of consumers, but also a battlefield where freshness, pricing, and brand identity are constantly tested. The shift is undeniable. Once dominated by low-end, mass-produced blends, supermarket shelves now host whole bean…
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Discover the Bright and Complex Flavors of Light Roast Coffee Beans

Discover the Bright and Complex Flavors of Light Roast Coffee Beans

Step into the world of light roast coffee beans—the vibrant, up-and-coming brew that's captivating coffee enthusiasts everywhere. If you've been reaching for your usual dark roast bag without giving the lighter option a second glance, it's time to reconsider. Here's what makes light roast coffee so special and how to find the perfect beans for your palate. Why Light Roast Coffee Is a Game Changer Light roast coffee is roasted for less time than medium or dark roast varieties, resulting in a lighter body, brighter acidity, and a kaleidoscope of complex flavors. Craft roasters are embracing this method to bring…
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Mastering Coffee Roasting: A Comprehensive Glossary of Essential Terms

Mastering Coffee Roasting: A Comprehensive Glossary of Essential Terms

Delve deeper into the captivating world of coffee roasting with this glossary of essential terms. These succinct definitions will provide you with valuable insights, empowering you to appreciate the intricate process that transforms green beans into your daily brew. Whether you're an avid home roaster or a curious coffee enthusiast, our aim is to equip you with knowledge, enhancing your understanding and enjoyment of this beloved beverage. **Green Coffee:** The unroasted, green-colored seed derived from the coffee cherry. Through roasting, it undergoes thousands of chemical changes, transforming into the brown coffee beans we relish. **Light Roast:** Resulting from a lighter…
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