From Green Bean to Perfect Cup: A Beginner's Guide to Coffee Roasting with Jebelz

If you want to learn how to roast coffee and are interested in how it works, this blog is for you. We'll guide you through every step, from selecting the best beans to roasting them properly, whether you're just starting or planning to try it soon.

Understanding Green Coffee Beans

Green coffee beans are the raw, unroasted seeds of the coffee cherry. They look and smell nothing like the beans you're used to brewing. These beans hold all the potential flavor that will come out during roasting.

Where your beans come from matters a lot. Beans from Ethiopia, for example, might be fruity and floral, while beans from Brazil tend to be nutty and smooth. How they’re processed—washed, natural, or honey-processed—also affects the taste. For your first roast, go with a well-known origin and a reliable supplier (like the ones we have at Jebelz) so you can learn the basics before experimenting more.

The Science Behind Coffee Roasting

Roasting turns green beans into the rich, brown beans we grind and brew. As beans heat up, they go through three main stages:

• Drying stage: This removes moisture from the beans.
• Browning stage: The beans change color, and the smell becomes like toasted nuts or bread.
• Development stage: This is where the authentic coffee flavor forms. You’ll hear the “first crack,” a sign the beans are nearly done.

Temperature and timing are everything. If you go too fast or too slow, you might miss the sweet spot.

Different Coffee Roasting Methods

You don’t need a big budget to start roasting. You can use:

• Stovetop or oven: These methods are cheap but need lots of attention.
• Air poppers: A popular beginner tool for small batches.
• Roasting machines: These give you more control, better results, and make things easier.

At Jebelz, we stock professional roasting machines like the Probat P01 and Aillio Bullet R1, perfect for home or small café use. We’ve tested and selected equipment that balances ease of use with excellent roasting quality.

Roast Levels and Flavor Profiles

There are three common roast levels:

• Light roast: Higher acidity, bright flavors, and a lighter body.
• Medium roast: Balanced acidity and sweetness with a fuller body.
• Dark roast: Bold, rich, and bitter with lower acidity.

Each roast works better with different brewing styles. Light roasts shine in pour-over or Aeropress. Medium roasts are great for drip machines, while dark roasts are perfect for espresso.

Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting with Jebelz

Here’s a simple process you can follow using your gear from Jebelz:

• Pick your beans: Choose fresh green beans from our online store.
• Weigh them: Start with small batches (around 100g) to test.
• Preheat your roaster: Set your machine or air popper to the starting temperature (around 180–200°C).
• Roast and watch: Stir constantly (if using a stovetop) or let the machine do the job. Watch for color and listen for the first crack.
• Cool the beans: Pour them onto a tray and stir to release the heat.
• Store them right: Use an airtight container and wait 12–24 hours before brewing.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Everyone makes mistakes initially—don’t worry, it’s part of learning. Here are a few to look out for:

• Over-roasting: Watch the time. If beans go past the second crack, they can taste burnt.
• Uneven roasting: Stir well or use a roasting machine to keep heat even.
• Poor storage: Don’t leave beans out in the open. Keep them in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.

Brewing the Perfect Cup with Jebelz Roasted Beans

Once you’ve roasted your beans, you’ll want to brew them the right way:

• Grind size matters: Use a coarse grind for French press, medium for drip, and fine for espresso.
• Use clean water: Filtered water brings out the best taste.
• Water temperature: Aim for around 92–96°C.
• Coffee-to-water ratio: Start with 1:16 (1g coffee to 16g water) and adjust to taste.

Future Trends in Coffee Roasting

More people are trying home roasting, and there’s a growing interest in doing it sustainably. Machines that use less energy and tools that give better control are becoming more popular.

We stay updated, constantly adding new and improved gear to help you roast smarter, cleaner, and better. Whether you're roasting for fun or thinking of starting your coffee setup, we’re here to support your journey.

Conclusion

Roasting your coffee isn’t just about the drink—it’s about the process, the smell, the sound, and the joy of doing it yourself. We hope this beginner’s guide helps you confidently take that first step. At Jebelz, we’ve got the beans, tools, and machines you need to make every roast better than the last. So go ahead, try it—and enjoy that perfect cup you roasted yourself.