Well I have to say, I am very impressed with my first foray into home roasting - after buying a Breville Crazy Popper thinking my daughter might like popcorn (how wrong was I), I discovered coffee roasting - a good excuse to recommission my Rocky and Silvia which had been in hibernation.I ordered the starter pack and received
- Brazilian
- Sumatran Mandheling
- PNG A Grade Washed
- India Mysore Nuggets
We roasted in about 80-90 gm lots.
We did a sample roast just to see all the changes you experience throughout the roast, going up to about 15 minutes. Didnt get a lot of smoke.
The brazilian gave off plenty of chaff after about a minute, first crack was about 5 min 20 secs, and we took it to about 8 minutes - finding it very hard to hear the second crack.
The Sumatran gave off very little chaff, and first crack was about 5 mins 30 secs, and we again took it to about 8mins 30 secs where we could hear lots of crackling (I am assuming the second crack?). The sumatran roast didnt seem as consistent as the brazilian roast.
We didnt take the roasts much further as we dont like really strong coffee so thought this would suit us.
Anyway, I have been sniffing the bags all week - noticing the aromas developing. Today was the first chance we have had to try the coffee itself.
Brazilian - machine set at -8 (which is about the limit of where mine is set - cant get any finer), delivered 60 ml in 20 secs with a 4mm crema. Coffee was a slightly bitter but definite coffee flavours - according to our uneducated palates. I probably need to tamp a bit harder I think?
Sumatran - grind set at -8 delivered 60ml in 30secs with a 5mm crema. Coffee was very creamy and much sweeter than the brazilian - a perfect pour for us!
We also tried a blend of 50/50 of the two, and with grind at -8 delivered 60ml in about 23 sec with a 6mm crema. We were very happy with that, and the resulting cappucinos - my other half was very happy with it.
Anyway, I think we still have a way to go (the can of soup is just waiting to be consumed) and I am about to order a temperature probe/thermocouple to see if we can get better control of the roast. We have yet to try the other two coffees in our sample pack, so that will be on the cards next weekend I think.
Will definitely be getting some more coffee at the next polls!

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