Once you have a roaster (popcorn popper), all you need to start roasting is green coffee. For the best results, you will need a high quality green coffee.  High quality does not necessarily mean expensive- in fact, buying green coffee is much cheaper than buying freshly roasted specialty coffee.

While it is fascinating to learn about the characteristics of the world’s coffees and the impact of altitude, climate, shade, sun and the various processing methods (wet and dry) used in different regions on the final product, it is not necessary to have a grasp on this information before beginning to roast. In fact, the experience of roasting, from the smell of green coffee, and the feeling of the density of the bean, the aromas and colors that emerge in the roasting process  to the sounds of the coffee cracking as the roast progresses, is really the best way to learn about the properties of coffee.

Eventually you will want to learn about the origins of coffee and the effects of altitude, climate and processing methods on flavor, but for now, the best way for you to learn is to just roast.

Here are a few tips for productive green coffee buying:
-First buy a small quantity (12 oz. or even our 4 oz. size) of 2 or 3 different coffees.
-Then, roast each of them to a light or medium roast (city to city +).
-If you prefer the acidity, aroma and body (the overall flavor experience) of one of the coffees, buy 4 pounds of it and experiment roasting to different levels.  This will give you a better understanding of how the flavors of the coffee develop in the roast.
-Keep a roasting log so that you can recreate a particularly satisfying roast.

Order some green coffee from our Green Coffee Store to get started.  Our first-class shipping insures that you can begin roasting your own coffee in just a couple of days.  In the meantime check out our videos and by the time your coffee arrives you will be ready to roast.