The Roasting Process

The roasting process involves applying heat to green coffee beans which are otherwise flavorless.
The heating of the beans releases hundreds of flavor compounds including sugars, proteins, oils, and minerals.
Careful control over this process results in the most desirable flavors from each coffee varietal.
Each coffee varietal reacts differently in the roaster because of both the growing conditions and the process through which it is harvested.
Once the roasting process begins, there are several important stages. The first is around 212 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, sugars in the beans begin to carmelize and the beans begin to lose their moisture. The beans turn from a green color to a pale-yellow color. At around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, the beans begins to grow as the water releases. Once the beans reach around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then the fun begins. A series of chemical reactions occur as you can begin to hear "cracks" from the beans. This process known as pyrolysis occurs as the bean fibers open up and expand from the heat. On a Viennese or French roast, you reach a second crack around 450 degrees, where the oils begin to appear on the beans.

250 degrees	300 degrees	350 degrees	400 degrees	Medium	Viennese	French

As a result of the roasting process, any remaining silver skin from the green beans discharges as a by-product known as chaff.
Once the beans reach the desired temperature, the beans are momentarily quenched with water, air-cooled, or a combination of both to dissipate the heat.
WHICH COFFEE IS BEST FOR YOU?
Now it is time to determine the type of beans that best fit your taste profile. With a few exceptions, we have three types of roast colors: Medium, Viennese, and French. Our medium roast resembles a cinnamon color and generally has a sharp, acidic finish in the cup. The Viennese roast is a shade darker, with the oils just beginning to appear on the beans. It is less acidic and more full-bodied than the medium roast. Our French roast coffees have a rich, full-bodied finish to the cup. Most of our coffee production involves dark-roasted beans. Please browse through our coffees and see which ones fit your desired taste profile.

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