We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Prepare Green Coffee?

By Cynde Gregory
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,907
Share

Preparing green coffee requires that the beans, which are raw, must first be roasted to reduce the acidity that would make a bitter flavor otherwise. The roasting process is relatively simple and can be accomplished using specially designed appliances. The final product will depend upon how precisely the steps are followed as well as the quality of the beans in their green state.

The beans must roast at a high heat. It’s important to stir the beans nearly constantly. If they remain stationary for any length of time, they will scorch, and the coffee will be undrinkable. During roasting, a considerable amount of smoke will be generated and will need to be vented.

The fluid air bed method is the simplest method for home cooks, but it requires purchasing a costly fluid air bed roasting machine. The machine sets the temperature and automatically keeps the roasting beans in motion. Fluid air bed machines manage venting and dispose of the messy chaff that the beans shed in roasting.

For those who prefer a less expensive approach, a stove top popcorn machine is a good alternative. Steadily rotating the beans by turning the machine crank allows a more even roast than other stove top methods. With the method, green coffee beans roast in about 10 minutes, so steadily cranking the popper won’t put excessive strain on the cook.

A convection oven is another option for those who have one. The beans take about 20 minutes to roast in convection ovens. They should be placed in a single layer on a perforated baking pan; the beans need to be shaken a few times during the process.

While it may be easier to purchase beans that have been roasted, such beans maintain optimum flavor for less than a week. Green coffee beans are easy to ship and can be stored for a long time without losing quality. For true coffee aficionados, home roasting is worth the effort for the exceptional flavor offered by freshly roasted beans. In addition, the green coffee beans’ natural sugar caramelizes during roasting and contributes subtle and rich layers of flavor.

Unroasted beans can be stored for up to a year in one of two ways. For those who own vacuum seal equipment, packaged and sealed green coffee beans can be kept at room temperature for a year or more. Alternatively, green beans can also be stored in cotton sacks in a dark cupboard for nine months to a year.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By bluedolphin — On Jul 10, 2013

@turquoise-- I've never heard of green coffee being drank without roasting it first. It will taste awful. It is possibly to roast coffee for a shorter amount of time though and I've also heard of green coffee extract supplements. But bulk green coffee beans don't taste like roasted coffee. It's bitter like the article said, too bitter to drink.

If you're interested in green coffee for weight loss, maybe you should try the supplements. I personally think that roasted coffee helps with weight loss as well.

By turquoise — On Jul 09, 2013

Has anyone tried making coffee from green coffee beans? I realize it doesn't taste as good, but green coffee is being promoted everywhere now as a heath food that supports weight loss. So I'm curious if it's possible to have coffee green.

By candyquilt — On Jul 09, 2013

I roast my own coffee with a coffee roaster. Coffee roasters are expensive but mine was a gift. It works well, roasts the coffee with scorching. The only problem is that there is build-up and it's difficult to clean. I guess I consume a lot of coffee because I'm roasting new coffee every week. What can I do, home-roasted coffee is the best coffee.

Does anyone else roast their own coffee? What are you using to roast it?

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-prepare-green-coffee.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.