Yearly Coffee is ordered.

[Rand]

Well the 2020/21 crop is in at my favorite coffee importer so I ordered up a 66# bag of the really premium stuff.
https://invalsacoffee.com/collections/bolivia/products/bol-peaberry

yes its pricey but I roast it myself and it was 20% more than the cheapest I was considering.

Usually lasts me about 1.5 years and I give a decent portion away.

 

[Leo99]

Very cool. I've never heard of doing this before. Where/how do you store the beans? Do you use a drip "Mr. Coffee" type maker or something fancier?

 

[oggb]

Interested to know how you roast them. Must be some good beans because they're sold out of the smaller sizes already.

 

[wwillson]

I am interested in how you roast and preserve the bean so that don't go stale. I much prefer very light roasts that don't taste burned like most coffees do, so self roasting is something I'd like to try.

 

[haggler]

Sheesh I thought grinding it daily was a PITA. The starbucks from costco is a pretty good deal when its on sale

 

[Duffyjr]

I am interested in how you roast and preserve the bean so that don't go stale. I much prefer very light roasts that don't taste burned like most coffees do, so self roasting is something I'd like to try.

A lot of guys use the old electric popcorn poppers or the ones with paddles that cook on your stove. I'm planning on giving this a try after I retire.

I also prefer lighter roasted coffee vs dark roast, you get more of the bean flavor.

https://library.sweetmarias.com/how-to-roast-your-own-coffee/

 

[JTK]

It's tough to put a price tag on really good coffee.

I know we easily go though about 20+ 32.8oz cans of Tim Horton's fine grind in a year. If my math is right, that's 41lbs. I think one can is ~$15, so it's $300/yr.

Far from a gourmet coffee I know, but we love it. I use a drip coffee maker, cold filtered water and 5 coffee scoops for 12 cups. Strong and black.

 

[Duffyjr]

Very cool. I've never heard of doing this before. Where/how do you store the beans? Do you use a drip "Mr. Coffee" type maker or something fancier?

Of course you can brew coffee how ever you want but most Mr. Coffee type brewers don't bring out the best in a fresh roasted bean that's just been ground.

 

[Kira]

Everyone, not just JTK, please tell me what your "coffee scoop" or "coffee measure" is.

I was given a coffee measure once. It is stainless steel, looks like many a measuring cup (duhh) and is stamped....wait for it...1/8c. (29.5ml).
But wait. A relative's coffee maker came with a scoop....a 39cc scoop.
Reminds me of a chemistry set I had which employed, "measures" of chemicals.

Me, I weigh my beans @ 5g. per cup, grind them is a disapproved grinder and let 'er drip.

 

[PimTac]

Of course you can brew coffee how ever you want but most Mr. Coffee type brewers don't bring out the best in a fresh roasted bean that's just been ground.

There are some drip makers that get the water hot enough plus a few that allow a bloom process during the coffee making. They can get expensive though.

I have settled on a pour over method. A Kalita Wave stainless dripper along with the filters. A gooseneck water pot is essential. This method has opened my eyes with the lighter roasts.

 

[JTK]

Everyone, not just JTK, please tell me what your "coffee scoop" or "coffee measure" is.

I was given a coffee measure once. It is stainless steel, looks like many a measuring cup (duhh) and is stamped....wait for it...1/8c. (29.5ml).
But wait. A relative's coffee maker came with a scoop....a 39cc scoop.
Reminds me of a chemistry set I had which employed, "measures" of chemicals.

Me, I weigh my beans @ 5g. per cup, grind them is a disapproved grinder and let 'er drip.

Mine says 1/8 cup, 30ml on the handle. It's a stainless steel one I bought at a grocery store years ago.

 

[greenjp]

This is next level stuff, I love it.

I drink a pot every morning. Beans from Costco, usually the Kirkland brand with the tiger, or the parrot if they have it, but frequently they've been carrying a local roaster's products (Mayorga) and they have several that are good. I "measure" by filling the grinder (a Capresso burr type) to a level I've figured out works. Use a Capresso drip machine, it was $180 when I got it years ago but it's pretty great. It was made in Portugal of all places, but I think Capresso has gone down market and made in the PRofC in the time since. Been using that sucker practically every day for 10+ years and it keeps on working. Could never say that about the Braun/Cuisinart/etc I had in the past.

jeff

 

[Duffyjr]

There are some drip makers that get the water hot enough plus a few that allow a bloom process during the coffee making. They can get expensive though.

I have settled on a pour over method. A Kalita Wave stainless dripper along with the filters. A gooseneck water pot is essential. This method has opened my eyes with the lighter roasts.

$$$$$ is right. When my Bunn died I bit the bullet and bought a Cup One Moccamaster, glad I did it makes a great cup, love to watch it bloom.

 

[Rand]

I have a
moccamaster technivorm 10 years old (and a bonavita 8cup)
breville smart grinder old model (BCG800BSXL)
behmor 1600 roaster with about 500 batches on it (typically they last around 1000 batches before something needs repaired parts are available.)

You have to let the beans rest for 2-5 days after roasting for all the outgassing to stop and get fuller flavor..
the last beans I roasted took about 5days.. usually its closer to 3 days.
it tasted really flat when I tried it on day 3 and 4... I was disappointed then boom they were great.

I use the Behmor 1600 to roast. its a model or 2 back without wifi on it.
aprox 13-16oz at at time. 13oz in winter on deck, 16oz when its hot out
cycle time is around 35min. around 19-22min roasting, then 12min cooling cycle.

I usually prefer city+ roast about 10s into 2nd crack. (this is medium dark to dark)
.. but it doesnt taste anything like nasty starbucks darkroast where its burnt.. it tastes sort of.. um... chocolately and smooth vs a more woody/grassy lighter roast. (I am not a professional coffee or wine taster)

Look for a SCA approved coffee pot..
https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer

Bonavita is a great choice at lower $$$ than some

Then get a burr grinder.. flat or conical.. no need to go super expensive for drip type coffee (ie not espresso machine)

avoid

Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill​

Had 4 of them go bad in 2.5 years.

A typical EXCELLENT coffee grinder would be

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder​

Lastly the roaster.. there are cheaper but if you want super ease of use and able to make 1lb batches
the behmor 1600 is it.

Behmor 1600AB Plus Customizable 1-lb, Drum Coffee Roaster​

There are some air popper types that are much cheaper but 5oz batches.
such as:

FreshRoast SR540 (4.6oz)​

Google any of these for links.. or I can steer you towards something. I will say Invalsacoffee has unsurpassed coffee bean quality and GREAT customer service.. been a customer for 10 years. Have not been disappointed yet..
I typically only buy bolivian coffee but I have tried others.. and come back to bolivian.

The coffee growers they buy from are incentivized with more $$$ for better quality.

https://invalsacoffee.com/

IF you are still reading.. yes coffee makes noise when you roast it.. much more accurate than a timer.
first crack sounds like those snap pops we all threw on the ground as a kid.. the beans expand similar to popcorn but not as drastic. this is the beginning of drinkable coffee.
second crack is aprox 2:45-4m after first crack its the hull cracking and sounds like pencils snapping in half.
about 1min into second crack you are close to burnt coffee.. and shortly thereafter you are into ash and coffee fire.

Which actually happened to me once.. I was distracted by a police chase through my backyard at exactly the wrong time.
(coffee roaster fire)

I am just an amatuer but after 13+ years of roasting I've picked up abit of info. need anything expanded on.. dont understand something ... let me know. Its turned into a full hobby.. but its fairly rewarding if you are a coffee nut.. or just like coffee.


And finally a disclaimer.. if you are into espresso.. be ready to open the checkbook for a REALLY good grinder.. $300+ range definitely better to overspend on the grinder vs the espresso machine.. makes a world of difference.

 

[Rat407]

Cool to get that coffee and roast it yourself. Now that summer is here we will be cold brewing for the most part with a Toddy Coffee system.

 

[Rand]

I am interested in how you roast and preserve the bean so that don't go stale. I much prefer very light roasts that don't taste burned like most coffees do, so self roasting is something I'd like to try.

I missed this earlier. Coffee is at its best 5days -8 weeks then slowly declines.

Unroasted beans are fine as long as you dont let them get too moist. They can last 1+years with minimal degradation.

A good dark roast wont taste burnt there are specific beans that have flavor profiles that fit light,med, and dark roasting.

For example the ones I just purchased are good for anything but really excellent for dark roast.. which is not in the least bitter/burnt in any way.

In the summer I usually roast in 2lb quantities so its always super fresh... in the winter.. since weather is a huge factor I will roast 4-5lb at a time to get me through the bad weather. I usually gift 30-50% between family and coworkers.. so sometimes this changes how much I roast as well.

 

[awguy]

Wow! Didn't know this could get so involved. I buy organic beans. I boil water in a kettle and let it cool down a bit. Then grind the beans in a old $10 grinder and put in a french press. I add the water, stir. wait 5-10 minutes and push the plunger. I cup a day. Black. Tastes good.

 

[Duffyjr]

Everyone, not just JTK, please tell me what your "coffee scoop" or "coffee measure" is.

I was given a coffee measure once. It is stainless steel, looks like many a measuring cup (duhh) and is stamped....wait for it...1/8c. (29.5ml).
But wait. A relative's coffee maker came with a scoop....a 39cc scoop.
Reminds me of a chemistry set I had which employed, "measures" of chemicals.

Me, I weigh my beans @ 5g. per cup, grind them is a disapproved grinder and let 'er drip.

Yes I weigh my beans every time, 16-17g per 10oz cup. Beans have different densities so measuring by volume can yield different amounts and change the way it tastes.

 

[Cropduster172]

I bought a wooden scoop and used a digital scale to weigh 10 grams of beans per scoop. This will vary depending on the beans of course but I generally stick with Peets Major Dickasons or Costco Colombian Supremo and they average 10 grams per level scoop. 8 scoops into one of these grinders at about a 4.5 ...about a medium grind. I use tap water and I have a Motif Essentials coffee maker which is a rebadged Melitta that brews to the SCA Gold Cup. It has that pre infusion/bloom feature but I rarely use it. Thermal carafe to not cook brewed coffee. As good and arguably better than any coffee out there...at least to my wife and i...and that's what counts.

 

[Duffyjr]

https://invalsacoffee.com/

Thanks for the link. I've been looking for a new place to get roasted coffee since the place I have been getting it is out of my usual which is from Brazil and Costa Rica.

I ordered a couple from Brazil and one from Costa Rica, the price per pound is a good deal but the shipping was a little high but I'm use to it, no place to get fresh roasted coffee around here that is any good.