Coffee begins its journey as green, unroasted beans that are dense and flavourless. It is the roasting process that unlocks their potential—developing the oils, aromas, and complex notes that define a great cup.
This transformation occurs through chemical reactions, heat control, and careful timing.
Artisan roasters often source high-quality beans directly from farmers, focusing on sustainability and traceability.
Also, their aim is to bring out each bean’s unique characteristics based on its origin, variety, and processing method.
Three Key Stages of Roasting
The roasting process can be divided into three main stages:
- Drying Stage: The beans start at room temperature and are slowly heated to remove internal moisture. They change from green to yellow and begin to emit a grassy smell.
- Browning Stage: As temperatures rise, sugars and amino acids react in a process known as the Maillard reaction. This stage develops the bean’s brown colour and aroma, and leads up to the ‘first crack’—an audible sign that gases are escaping from inside the bean.
- Development Stage: After the first crack, the roast becomes more nuanced. Roasters decide how long to continue based on the flavour profile they want—lighter roasts for bright, fruity flavours; darker roasts for deeper, more bitter notes.
Furthermore, Timing and control are critical at every stage. Even small changes in temperature or duration can dramatically alter the taste.
Professional roasters create a roast profile, tracking temperature over time.
This guides consistency and allows them to replicate successful batches. Adjustments to heat, airflow, and drum speed are made in real time based on sensory cues—sight, smell, and sound.
While large factories use automation, small-batch roasters often rely on experience and instinct, fine-tuning each batch by hand.
Cooling and Cupping
After roasting, beans are cooled rapidly to stop further development.
The outer skin, called chaff, is removed, and the beans are left to degas—a process where carbon dioxide escapes over 1–2 days. Only then are they ready to be packed in airtight bags, often with one-way valves to maintain freshness.
Moreover, to test quality, roasters perform a cupping—a tasting method that evaluates aroma, acidity, body, and balance. Each roast is judged on how well it brings out the bean’s potential.
Roasting is more than heating beans—it’s a carefully honed craft that transforms raw ingredients into something rich and expressive.
Whether it’s enjoyed in a flat white or a black pour-over, the character of a coffee roast reflects the choices, skill, and passion of the roaster.
From farm to cup, every step in the journey matters—but roasting is where coffee truly comes to life.
Also Read: How Smells Trigger Childhood Food Memories
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