Each coffee processing process from upstream to downstream has its own role in shaping the flavor of coffee, especially when it comes to how a coffee roasting machine works. One of the important stages in coffee processing is the coffee roasting process. This process is carried out with various objectives such as reducing water content, drying coffee beans, and bringing out the distinctive flavors of coffee.
In the process, roasters also utilize coffee roasting machines as the main tool in carrying out the roasting process. Here we have summarized some interesting points about how coffee roasting machines work:
The roasting process in a coffee roasting machine
As the name suggests, coffee roasting machines certainly have the main use for roasting coffee beans. There are various phases of roasting that the coffee beans go through when put into this one machine.
The first phase is the drying phase. In this phase, the coffee beans in the roasting machine will begin to absorb a certain amount of heat and evaporate the water content in them.
After the water content of the coffee beans starts to decrease, the roasting process in the machine continues to the second phase, the yellowing phase. This phase is characterized by the coffee beans starting to expand and peel off the skin.
At this stage, the roasting machine through its airflow system will clean the coffee beans from the skin. This is done to avoid the risk of burning the coffee bean skin in the machine. This is due to the flammable nature of the coffee bean skin.
The roasting process in the machine also goes through another phase called first crack. In this phase, the coffee beans will experience the first crack caused by the release of heat energy in the form of steam from the coffee beans along with carbon dioxide gas.
Read also: Looking to Buy a Roasting Machine for Your Coffee Business? Check out this article first
The first crack phase is usually characterized by the sound of coffee beans resembling cracked nuts. In this phase, the coffee beans in the machine will also begin to process to bring out certain flavor and aroma characteristics of the coffee.
The length of the roasting process carried out in the roasting machine will affect the roasting level of the coffee. The longer and higher the temperature set in the roasting machine, the higher the roasting level of the coffee.
Coffee beans will be classified as dark roasted coffee if the roasting process in the machine reaches the second crack phase. At this level, the oil content will rise to the surface of the coffee beans and bring out new flavor and aroma characteristics in the coffee.
Commercial and home coffee roasting machines
Coffee roasting machines in their utilization can be divided into commercial coffee roasting machines and home coffee roasting machines.
These two types of machines have a slight difference where in commercial coffee roasting machines, their use is more intended for coffee industry activities, while home coffee roasting machines are more widely used as part of personal needs.
Commercial coffee roasting machine
In the coffee industry, the roasting machine is one of the inseparable parts.
There are several types of coffee roasting machines according to their capacity. These machines include the small commercial roaster, medium commercial roaster, large commercial roaster, and extra large commercial roaster.
The four machines have different capacities. For example, a small commercial roaster has a capacity of about 5 – 15 kilograms, a medium roaster has a capacity of 15 – 30 kilograms, a large roaster has a capacity of 30 – 70 kilograms, and an extra large roaster has a capacity of over 70 kilograms.
Commercial coffee roasting machines are also divided into two types of designs, namely drum roasters and fluid bed roasters. In a drum roaster, the roasting process takes place by heating a rotating drum. A roasting machine with this design is suitable for producing roasts with a dark profile.
In a fluid bed roaster, the roasting process will occur faster and with less energy when compared to a drum roaster. A roasting machine with this design is suitable for producing roasts with a light profile.
Also read: How to Store Roasted Coffee Beans Well to Stay Fresh
Home coffee roasting machine
In addition to commercial needs, roasting machines can also be used privately in individual homes.
There are two types of home coffee roasting machine designs, namely hot-air roasters and drum roasters. The hot-airroaster coffeeroasting machine is largely similar in process to a commercialfluid-bed roasting machine. Similarly, a home drum roaster has a similar design to a commercial drum roaster.
Uses of coffee roasting machine
There are various benefits that can be obtained when using a coffee roasting machine. One of the uses of coffee roasting machines is the less labor and time required from a roaster when roasting coffee beans.
In the manual roasting process, roasters are often required to put in extra energy and time to achieve the appropriate level of maturity of the coffee beans.
This is slightly different from the roasting process using a roasting machine. Through various technological features such as the thermostat , the roasting machine can help provide roasting results that are suitable and with an even level of maturity.
This is what makes the use or workings of roasting machines, especially on a large scale, highly recommended.
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