Methods Of Alaska Coffee Roasting

By Krystal Branch


The tastes of the various types of coffee differ mainly because the processes used to roast them are different. Inasmuch as the type of beans will also contribute to the difference in taste, this is not as important a factor. Roasting of the beans can be achieved using an oven, on top of a stove, using gas, hot air popcorn popper or hot air toaster. 10 to 20 percent of water in the beans is removed during the process. In Alaska coffee roasting is done using various techniques.

The moment they have been roasted, what follows is either drying them using air or quenching with a spray. There are packages of coffee beans that are said to be water added. This will mean that during the quenching process, approximately 12 percent and above of weight is reabsorbed into the beans. Losing of flavor in beans is mostly due to evaporation whenever flavors mixed with gases the beans.

The question of the best time to have coffee differs depending on different individuals and is dependent a great deal on personal taste. Generally, it is believed that the best time to do brewing is just after the beans have been roasted, up to after 24 hours. Grinding on the other hand is best done before the beans are roasted. There are a number of methods used to roast.

Fluid bed roasters make use of convection in cooking. Instead of direct heat, there is permeation of hot air into the interior to facilitate roasting. Heavier flavors are produced when the cooking is done for a longer time. Temperature is a very important parameter since beans are only supposed to be roasted, not burnt.

The process does not involve the use of water, as one would think because of the use of the term fluid. The term is used in reference to the movement of beans which happens fluidly. Since they are placed in a chamber used for roasting, they float on a bed of air. It is there that they are subjected simultaneously to the same temperature. The advantage of this is that it enhances consistency and rarely will there be beans in fluid bed roasters with inconsistent roasts.

When beans are drum roasted, the flavor that results is strong. When however they are roasted for longer periods at a higher temperature, they develop a burnt taste. As is the case in the fluid bed technique, convection is used to roast beans. Conduction is also used. Beans that are drum roasted have flavors that tend to linger around long after consumption of the beverage.

The use of drum roasters requires much less real training, unlike when fluid bed roasters are to be used. This is part of the reason these roasters are rarely bought for light use. Most people however prefer them because they are strong. They will not need high speed fans like in fluid bed roasters. Airflow is also effectively controlled.

For the residents of Alaska coffee roasting is also able to be done from home. Pan roasting is the best method to use from home since the equipment needed is not costly and no real training is required. The majority of people do not roast coffee individually because it is time consuming and needs precision for the best results.




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