The strength of coffee's flavor correlates with its roasting temperature.
In cooking applications, high-altitude refers to elevations of 3,000 feet and above. Roasting coffee at high elevations requires modifying the cooking temperature. Consult your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service Office for any additional considerations if roasting at elevations that exceed 6,000 feet.
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven. Set the high-altitude roasting temperature to 406 degrees Fahrenheit for a city roast; 426 degrees F to reach a full city roast; 465 degrees F. for a Vienna roast; and 474 degrees F. to reach a full French roast. Coffee beans typically require roasting from 426 degrees F to 500 degrees F and higher, but elevations in excess of 3,000 ft. require that the oven temperature be lowered by 20 to 30 degrees. The temperatures in this step reflect the adjustments due to elevation.
2. Spread the coffee beans in one layer onto a vented or perforated sheet pan. The perforations allow air to circulate under the coffee beans, contributing to an even roast. Place the sheet pan on the middle oven rack.
3. Roast the beans to the desired color. Several factors, such as altitude and type of oven, affect cooking times. The color gradient of roasted coffee ranges from light-brown to near-black, and some colors denote certain roasts. For instance, a city roast has a full, medium-brown color, and a full French roast commonly has a dark-brown appearance.
4. Remove the coffee beans from the oven, pour them in a metal colander and allow them to cool. Hold the colander over a container and agitate the coffee beans for one to two minutes to remove the chaff. Dispose of the chaff, and place the coffee beans in an airtight container for storage.
Tags: coffee beans, city roast, roast degrees, city roast degrees, degrees reach, degrees reach full
