If you are still trying to find out what the coffee roasters actually do, this write-up will be enlightening. We often see coffee roasters in action, and one cannot help but think that it’s not an easy job. Roasters have to follow the complex and precise process and use sophisticated equipment.
Such precision and adroitness can only be followed by passionate craftsmen who always look after their local community. It includes the farmers and their customers.
While we simply pick a seat and order our favorite coffee, a lot happens behind the scenes. Coffee grows in a coffee shrub, and lots of caring and processing is done internationally before it reaches the roasters.
Coffee roasters work their magic to service us with the best coffee flavors. They find the best coffee from various international markets and make them available to us.
If we really understand what coffee roasters do, we will be able to appreciate their work at a new level.
The Procurement
There are basically two ways to procure coffee. The coffee roasters reach out to the warehouse (catalog sales) or opt for direct trade.
The most popular method is warehouse purchase, where the roaster orders a catalog or visits the actual warehouse to procure green coffee. While in the direct trade, the coffee roasters make a direct visit to the farms. They meet the farmers and carry out inspections before placing the order.
Direct trade is more beneficial to the farmers since the margin of intermediaries is eliminated. Specialty coffee roasters source their finest specialty green bean from reputable and sustainable farmers all over the globe. They can make better profits through direct trade.
That is one of the prime reasons behind its growing popularity amongst coffee roasters.
The Science of Roasting
Coffee roasting is a complex process, and roasters have to perform controlled operations for producing batches of coffee. Within a span of 10 to 15 minutes, numerous chemical reactions take place. Everything from temperature to humidity and from the airflow to timeframe can impact the quality of coffee.
Coffee roasters perform roasting with great precision using sophisticated equipment. Apparatus like ratio six, grinder, dripper, and scale play a huge role in the entire roasting process. The roasting environment and routine have to be very accurate, and so the roasters perform their tasks as dexterous scientists to get perfection.
Coffee roasters use smaller machines to prepare sample roasts. This can be mimicked to commercial-size once they reach the perfect blend. Everything is noted with precision, and it includes the temperature, timeframe, and other variables to ensure the commercial batch is prepared with perfection.
After waiting for about 24 hours, the roasters perform quality tests. It is also called “coffee cupping.” Everything from bitterness to aroma and aftertaste to sweetness and acidity is measured. If you think about it is an extensive process that requires great expertise.
After the quality testing, the approval of a batch with perfect taste is shortlisted, and the process is repeated to ensure that the same quality is maintained. Before moving to the commercial level, one or two tests are done.
After satisfactory results, the batches are prepared commercially and sent to the coffee shops and stores.
Roasting is An Art
When you get used to the taste of a particular roaster, you are likely to stick with them for long. It is difficult to pinpoint whether your favorite coffee roaster will have something peculiar that would keep you hooked.
They say that coffees mimic the character of their roasters.
The coffee roasters are artisans, but they are an important part of a community. They are the regular friendly faces that you see every day. They share their love and care with their community through the hard work they put in creating perfect blends for us.
Coffee roasters take care of the local farmers by supporting their cultivation. They offer employment opportunities and, more importantly, offer us our daily coffee.
They act as a bridge between the farmers from different parts of the world and the coffee aficionados. From the coffees of Ethiopia to Columbia and from Kenya to Costa Rica, we get to enjoy varieties with the help of coffee roasters.
Final Thoughts
Coffee roasters are an integral part of our community who work hard to bring the cultures from various parts of the world together. The efforts of coffee roasters are immense and play a huge role in empowering our society. They don’t just offer coffee, and they offer the opportunity to connect us all.
Leave a Reply