How long do green coffee beans need to be roasted?

1. Introduction

Coffee roasting is the process of heating raw coffee beans to produce aroma and flavor. Roasting time is one of the important factors affecting the taste and flavor of coffee beans. This article will focus on the roasting time of raw coffee beans and explore the impact of different roasting times on coffee quality.

2. Short light roast

Light roasting usually lasts for 5 to 7 minutes. At this stage, the surface of the coffee beans begins to change color and exudes a floral, herbal or fruity aroma. At this time, the acidity is high and the taste is refreshing and bright.

3. Medium dark roast

Medium-depth roasting generally takes about 8 to 10 minutes. At this stage, the color of the coffee beans gradually deepens, and a rich flavor like cocoa, nuts or chocolate begins to appear. At this time, the acidity decreases and the bitterness increases.

4. Deep/Dark Roast

Deep roasting usually takes 11 to 13 minutes. At this stage, the surface of the coffee beans becomes shiny, the color is close to black, and it exudes a strong caramel or roasted wood aroma. At this time, the acidity almost disappears, and the bitterness and sweetness increase significantly.

5. The impact of roasting time on coffee quality

Different roasting times will cause changes in the internal structure and chemical composition of coffee beans, thus affecting the taste and flavor.

A shorter, lighter roast can retain more of the original flavor and acidity, but it may also make the bitterness less balanced.

A medium-dark roast can balance the relationship between acidity and bittersweetness and produce a rich and complex flavor profile.

Deep/dark roasting will cause significant changes inside the coffee beans, producing obvious bitterness, strong oiliness, rich and heavy flavor, etc. However, deep/dark processing at high temperature for too long may cause the coffee beans to be over-roasted, producing caramel and roasted wood flavors, making the flavor become monotonous and bitter.

6. Choice of baking time

You can choose the appropriate roasting time based on your personal taste preferences and coffee type.

If you like coffee with bright acidity and a clean taste, try a lighter roast for a shorter time.

If you are looking for a balanced and complex flavor profile, medium-dark roast is a good choice.

For those who like a rich, bittersweet balance and a heavy, rich aroma, a deep/dark roast may be more suitable.

7. Conclusion

The roasting time of green coffee beans will produce different flavor characteristics. The three common types of roasting are light, medium and deep/dark, representing different qualities such as bright and sour, balanced and complex, and rich and fragrant. Therefore, when choosing the roasting time of coffee beans, you should make a reasonable choice based on your personal taste preferences and the characteristics of the coffee type.

References:

[1] Davis, AP, & Vitzthum, OG (2000). COFFEE: Recent Developments. Blackwell Science Ltd.

[2] Rao, S. (2018). The Coffee Roaster's Companion: Scott Rao Editions.