Don't think I can aspire to that level of humor -
But re home roasting - go for it! As Cakeboy says, it's a different entity to preparing espresso or brewing coffee. But it's relaxing, smells nice, and rewards any attention and skill paid to its learning curve.
I'm no expert - I started less than 2 mths ago - but I'm already finding that my coffee is improving with every roast. It's one more variable to factor in when making espresso, but it's worth it.
Re freshness -
I am wondering, how much better is the taste with home roasted coffee, compared to what I can get from shops?
Well, I don't know what you're comparing to - what shops? If I compare to Steve my favorite roaster, I don't see a massive difference - his coffee is freshly roasted and shipped right away - but compared to most shops my roast is way better! Because their beans are of idon'tknowwhat providence.
About the mess and the smoke - it is smoky, variably so, but it doesn't have to make much mess. Having said that, I started out roasting in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, stirring with a wooden spoon. This method is really smoky, i think because it's a bit uneven - so some beans are burning while you're waiting for others to roast. Even with kitchen window open and extractor fan on, our flat smelt of burning lentils for a couple of days after each roast.
Quite rapidly my flatmates told me they weren't happy with this; i would have to find another method. I'm glad they did - my solution is easier, more even, and less smoky - and the roasts are better too.
So I had to have a portable method, one I could use in the shared utility room of this building (with the windows open) then tidy away easily. It also had to be affordable!
I spent £20 on a mini oven from argos
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4230285/Trail/searchtext>MINI+OVEN.htm, and found a roasting tray to fit in a charity store. Now, what I do is this -
Assemble my mobile roasting kit -
- oven, roasting tray, 2xcolanders, metal fish slice, tea towel, beans
preheat oven to ~230C, with roasting tray inside
take tray out and spread beans on it
put in oven, then read something interesting
every 3 min or so, flip oven door open, stir beans quickly, without taking tray out (fish slice does this v well)
stir so as to swap beans around, middle and sides
I get quite consistent roasts -
- grassy smell at 5-6 minutes
- first crack at 9-11 minutes (I think! I'm new to this!)
- second crack at ~16 minutes (if I'm roasting decaf / want second crack)
Then tip out into colanders and cool (pour one to the other in the breeze). Tidy away kit, rest coffee, then enjoy.
So far, I'm enjoying this method. I'd recommend it to anyone who's getting interested in this roasting thing...
Also, have you considered trying a good decaf? They're less messy to roast (no chaff) (tho oven roasting is very tidy anyhow) and I find I'm learning more about coffee this way - I can practise espresso preparation anytime without fear of toomuchcoffee...
Ahhh, it's good to get that out. Have been meaning to writeup my roasting method / own up to using the £20 argos oven to roast in - I wonder what people think.