Coffee — the most popular drink in the world. As we have drunk more coffee and experienced different blends and concoctions, our need for a higher quality coffee has increased. Many people are looking for coffee that has a smooth taste, with a variety of different flavoured undertones. To achieve this, you need not only consider the type of coffee (e.g. Ethiopian / Arabic etc.) but also the way it is roasted.
There are various ways that coffee can be roasted from the raw green beans. Perhaps the best technique which produces the most consistent and fresh coffee bean is through hand roasting. The important part of this process is the human aspect — in normal roasting, this is done by machine and there is no one actually watching how the beans are roasted. There is a set temperature and set roasting time and airflow, so regardless of the individual needs of the different beans, a machine roast means that all beans are treated as one large set. This typically means that there is a slightly uneven roast with some beans are more roasted than others, there is not an equal coating etc.
Handwriting coffee typically takes place with smaller batches of coffee so that each bean can be carefully observed. There are various aspects to consider during the roasting process — the exact temperature, the airflow and the load size for each of the different types of coffee bean, there are different requirements and it is the expert coffee roaster who will carefully monitor this process and be present whilst the beans are being roasted.
The importance of having a master roaster observing the process means that although a machine can be set for a certain temperature, during the process the machine can be altered slightly to suit the process, in relation to time, temperature and airflow, thereby making sure that there is individuality in each small batch of roasted coffee.
It is important to note that not all small-batch roasted coffee is hand-roasted. Although coffee may be roasted in small batches (which enables a more even roast) if there is not an expert coffee roaster observing and monitoring the process, then it cannot be classified as a quality hand roasted coffee.
Overall, coffee is an essential part of your day. Do not settle for standard coffee, which has a bitter taste as well as an after taste — instead, strive for the best, with quality hand roasted coffee.
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