There is nothing more comforting and satisfying than having a never-ending supply of freshly roasted coffee. But how does one tap into the mother lode of coffee enjoyment? By roasting one's own at home.
I have 30 pounds of green Sul de Minas Brazilian coffee beans left over from a 60-kilo bag when I was roasting on my "big girl roaster".
Giving up that roaster is one of the biggest adjustments I have had to make in the last six months. Upon endless emotional temperature-taking, I have decided that I am not that egotistically involved in owning and "being" a micro roaster -- it is the freshness of the coffee that I miss after giving up the magnificent machine.
I made half-hearted attempts at getting some coffee at the local big box store where they have an on-site roaster. I tried getting some roasted beans at the Trendy Chain. Both times I was disappointed and could not get over the old taste of the beans.
I went into a silent panic. I looked on line for home roasters and they all seemed too much $$$. I had heard that you could roast beans in a popcorn popper, but, as a micro roaster, I would flare my nostrils and give a resounding indignant snort in response to such a proposition.
What to do with all that green coffee and no roaster? Sell it? As we say here in South Seattle, "Oh Hehl No!"
Two weeks ago I took a couple of boxes of books to the Seattle Goodwill Store and received a 30% off coupon off any one thing in the store. I parked my car, made a bee line to the small electronics section and found the correct type of popper for $6.99 minus 30%! You can't beat that with a stick.
Disclaimer: It's messy; it must be done outside; it's smokey; you can't walk away from it; it's not for the faint of heart; do at your own risk!
