Want to know the secret behind the famously rich, dark liquid called coffee that has conquered the globe? Starting from the raw green seeds, the roasting process produces the well-known delicate, brown, intensely aromatic nodules. Even, there is the so-called coffee roasting levels chart to distinguish them.
Roasting Coffee or Toasting – Master the Craft
Apart from the more advanced and helpful roasting machinery, there are two basic skills to master in the most common traditional roasting method, namely
Sight
Every coffee skilled processors know this visual sign, the changing color, and the texture of the raw coffee beans. This enables them to recognize the development process and determine the bean roasting level. For example, a light-roasted coffee will turn slightly brown without any oil trace on top, while a darker-roasted coffee will show dark brown glossier look.
Sound
Obvious cracking noises while roasting coffee beans will tell you about the different phases of the roasting process. You can hear the first crack through a popcorn-popping-like sound, it is when the moisture of the raw seed is evaporating and the bean is expanding. You can get light to medium roasts after this crack and darker roasts after the second crack.
Check This Out! Coffee Roasting Levels Chart
You probably know the three typical categories of coffee roast levels in general – light, medium, and dark. However, there is more story in the coffee roast levels chart. Let’s take a sip, I mean, a peek!
1. Green Coffee – Unroasted Coffee Beans
They are the cherry seeds of coffee plants after being dried and intermittently treated with water following the decaffeination process before sending them to the roasting facility.
Also read: Green Coffee Vs Black Coffee, Different and Which One is Better?
2. Drying Coffee
It is the phase when the coffee beans are mid-roasted as the moisture evaporation process is ongoing well. Smell them, and you can tell a sweet scent of grass and hay, yet you better not grind them since they still taste shockingly awful.
3. Cinnamon Roast
At this stage, coffee beans are becoming consumable. Having a cup of them will give you a subtle green, grassy flavor. But, please remember, they aren’t ready for brewing since the beans are still underdeveloped.
4. Light Roast
Highly valued by a group of coffee enthusiasts worldwide, these coffee beans are also commonly referred to as city roast or New England roast. At this point, they start to have a pleasant nutty, and chocolaty smell. The pour-over brewing is the most recommended way to enjoy this coffee roasted level.
5. Light to Medium Roast
In the final part of the first crack, light-medium roast coffee beans have no traces of oil. This allows you to experience the unique individual character and the flavor of the coffee. You can taste such a full-bodied and vibrant taste.
6. Full Medium
You get this coffee level when the first crack finishes but the second crack hasn’t started yet. The beans do not have an oily characteristic, rather they generate a well-balanced flavor profile, a mixture of each bean flavor and the fresh aroma of the roasting process.
A cup made of this coffee has a perfect combo of balanced acidity and outstanding delectability – the best of both worlds.
7. Medium-Dark
You reach this level shortly after several shatters of the second crack, giving the beans lines of blackness. They will be somewhat oily, having a good blend of roasted and original flavors, plus less acidity.
The best choice for drip coffee, French Press, and cold brew methods, as well as the espresso process.
8. Dark Roast
Also often called Vienna roast, this phase marks the entry of the beans into the dark realm. Natural coffee oil will make them shine, offering more roasted flavor compared to the original one. They are also more vibrant yet less acidic.
This kind of bean is the best pick for Aeropress and espresso methods.
9. French Roast
You get French roast beans when the second crack finishes. They are usually coated with oil and lose their natural flavor. We may say that any coffee roasted to the level of French toast will have the same taste. In addition, they may offer a burnt undertone and a thinner texture.
10. Spanish or Italian Roast
It is when you can smell like a burning tire and your beans go from brown to black. If there is only a roasting accident or simply an experiment, it is not recommendable to consume this sort of beans.
How to Roast Coffee
Want to experiment by roasting your coffee beans at home? Let’s check out the following.
- Buy unroasted green coffee beans (offline and online stores)
- Prepare or get the necessary roasting equipment (roaster)
- Carry out the roasting process
- put the raw beans into the heating equipment
- turn on the heat
- start stirring
- Cooling time
- whirl the beans between two metal strainers
- lay them on a paper sheet
Quite easy, isn’t it? Knowing the coffee roasting levels chart is a bonus skill, but the preference is subjective. You can keep on experimenting and expanding your mileage. The important thing is enjoying your personalized coffee tasting. Looking for premium-quality of green coffee beans? FnB.co.id is one of the best Indonesian suppliers you can get.