Home Coffee Roasting  

I've been roasting my own beans for about ten years and can no longer imagine drinking coffee made from anything but freshly roasted, freshly ground, beans. I've tried several different roasters, but my favorite was a Behmor 1600. Unfortunately, it is no longer working, so I'm using a basket that was made for me, for use with my rotisserie setting on my toaster oven. This actually does work quite well, although it takes more monitoring than a roaster set up with profiles.

I roast almost all of my beans to a dark roast and, when I make flavored coffees, I use all natural ingredients, rather than purchased flavorings. I often give home roasted beans to coffee drinking friends as gifts for various occasions. The hands-down favorite is my Spiced Mocha Espresso Blend.

Spiced Mocha Espresso Blend

12-ounce each (green coffee beans):
Kenya AA CP
Bolivian Organic Caranovi
Java Government Estate
Ethiopian Moka Stag Harrar

Roast beans separately to a French Roast.

While first beans are roasting, grate the peel from two oranges into a large storage bowl with a tight seal. Break up two 10-inch cinnamon sticks into the same bowl. Add 1/2 cup or organic chocolate nibs. After roasting and cool down of each of the beans, add to the bowl, mixing well after each is added. Seal the bowl and allow to rest for 24 hours before using.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who roasts their own beans. Do you have a favorite roaster? Where do you purchase your green coffee beans? Do you have a favorite blend you'd like to share? Is there anything else you'd like to share about home coffee roasting?