Roasting Coffee Beans at Home (Pan Method)
Learn how to roast coffee beans at home using the simple pan method.
Equipment
- Pan
- Air popcorn popper
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cooling tray or colander
- Timer
- Oven mitts
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 cup green coffee beans
Instructions
- Cast iron or stainless steel pans work best due to their even heat distribution. Place the pan on the stove and set the heat to medium. Preheat the pan for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the beans roast evenly from the start.Next, measure your coffee beans. A good starting point is 1/2 cup of green coffee beans. Once the pan is hot, add the beans. Spread them out so they form a single layer. This allows for even roasting.
- Stir the beans constantly to ensure they roast evenly. Avoid letting the beans sit too long in one spot, as this can cause uneven roasting.Stirring also helps to prevent burning. The beans will start to smoke, which is normal. Ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen to handle the smoke.Keep an eye on the color of the beans. They will gradually darken. The goal is to achieve a uniform roast. This usually takes 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired roast level.
- During roasting, the beans will make cracking sounds. The first crack occurs around 5-7 minutes. This crack indicates the beans have reached a light roast. If you prefer a lighter roast, you can stop roasting here.The second crack happens around 12-15 minutes. This indicates a medium to dark roast. The cracking sounds will be more frequent and louder. Decide your roast level based on these cracks. For a medium roast, stop soon after the first crack. For a dark roast, wait until the second crack.
- Once you've reached your desired roast level, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately transfer the beans to a colander or baking sheet. This helps them cool quickly and stops the roasting process.Stir the beans continuously as they cool. This ensures they cool evenly. Once they are cool to the touch, it's time to store them.Store the beans in an airtight container. This preserves their freshness. Keep the container in a cool, dark place. Avoid exposing the beans to air, light, or moisture as these factors can degrade the quality.
