[reblogged from wordpress]
When you roast coffee beans, you are transforming them. It is an almost magical process that has gone on for many hundreds of years. It can become extremely technical and science will often play an important role. Different roasting methods can produce a variety of flavours and aromas shrouding the whole business of coffee roasting in a cloak of mystery.
Coffee roasting has sadly become far more industrialised over the years, but things may be starting to change. Far more people are interested in natural processes these days and it is because of this that ‘home bean roasters’ are becoming a common household accessory.
Once upon a time, all bean-roasting was done by hand, either in ovens or over fires. Because coffee is such a popular drink in so many countries, there are a huge variety of different roasting methods. Each of these will create a beverage with a slightly different flavour and aroma.
It is a fascinating process and it can be a truly rewarding experience when you carry it out by yourself.
Some of the Arabic varieties of coffee are absolutely gorgeous!
I love to try out different recipes from around the world. You wouldn’t think there could be so many varieties.
I think that we have too much choice these days.
It all seems to be going crazy. When you go to the supermarket to buy tea or coffee there is a whole aisle of the stuff!
How many different sorts do we need for goodness sake???