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The Art of Roasting Coffee and Why It Matters

The Art of Roasting Coffee and Why it Matters

Taking raw green coffee beans and turning them into delectable roasted coffee is truly an art form. Different roasting techniques can have a big impact on your daily cup of Joe. The difference between mediocre coffee and amazing, knock-your-socks-off coffee comes from the quality of the bean used AND the roasting technique. At Camano Island Coffee, we treasure our coffee beans and use masterful roasting techniques we use to bring out the best in every bean.

What is a Coffee Bean?

Coffee beans start out as the pit of a cherry-type fruit. Once the pits (or beans) are removed, they’re dried before being exported. The milled pits are considered green coffee beans. Once the green coffee is exported, it’s ready to be roasted. Some people believe roasting is the most important step in coffee production.

The Roasting Process

The roasting process involves more than you might think. It can take years of training and practice to become an expert coffee roaster. At Camano Coffee, we use the highest quality organic fair-trade coffee. We also use precise roasting techniques to bring out the very best in every coffee bean. Coffee roasting machines are used to heat the green coffee beans between 370 and 540 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re heated anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. The time and temperature determine the level of roast from light to dark.

Roast Levels

Most coffee drinkers have a preference when it comes to roast level. Whether you’re seeking a light or dark roasted coffee, most people have a favorite. So, what’s in a roast? Let’s discover what each roast level means for flavor, body and caffeine.

Many coffee drinkers assume dark roasted coffee has higher caffeine content, but it’s not true. Believe it or not, light roasted coffee is slightly higher in caffeine. It all boils down to the roasting techniques, which develop the different flavor profiles and caffeine levels of the coffee.

Light Roast

Light roasted coffee beans are light brown. They also display a lighter, more acidic flavor. Since the coffee from Camano Island Coffee Roasters is from trees grown in the shade, our light roasted coffee will exhibit less acidity than other brands. To obtain a light roast, the bean is heated until the “first crack” at about 375 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit. These beans do not have a shiny or oily appearance, which is developed when a bean is roasted longer releasing the oils. A lightly roasted bean will also offer more origin flavors, which come from the soil, weather conditions and other crops grown around the coffee plants.

Medium Roast

When compared to light roasted coffee beans, medium roasted coffee is slightly darker in appearance. The beans also exhibit a sweeter, more balanced flavor and less acidity. The caffeine level is slightly less than light roasted but higher than the dark roasted variety. This bean is created at temperatures between 410-430 degrees Fahrenheit, between the first and “second crack.” Some of the oils are released, but not enough to give the bean a shiny appearance.

Dark Roast

This level of roasting will give the coffee bean a shiny, oily appearance with a less acidic taste. Dark roasted coffee beans are heated to about 460 degrees Fahrenheit near the end of the “second crack.” The flavor may be slightly bitter or smoky from the roasting process. The roasty flavor tends to overwhelm the source flavor or flavor of origin of the coffee.

Choose the Best Brew

When searching for the best gourmet coffee online, be sure you know how the beans are being roasted. The roasting process is just as important as the way the coffee is grown. You can feel good knowing Camano Island Coffee Roasters are experts in their field, using only the best Organic Fair Trade Coffee and masterful roasting techniques to create the perfect cup of coffee every time.

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A Big Thank You From Jeff

A Big Thank You From Jeff

An update on our new referral program

You guys have been awesome! Last month we announced our new referral program and the response has been incredible.
We’ve had a bunch of new Coffee Lovers join the club.
Thanks to folks like you we’re able to spread the joy of delicious organic and shade grown coffee with your friends and family
And, more importantly, we’re helping our farmers around the world.

It’s never been easier!

  • Simply tell your friends and family about the Coffee Lovers Club.
  • We’ll give them $20 off their first shipment.
  • They simply write your first and last name in the referred by field.
  • After they join, we’ll give you a quick call to congratulate you on earning $20 towards your next shipment.
  • It’s that simple.

Learn more about our sharing tools

CLICK HERE!

Why the Never Pay For Coffee program?

Over the years our company has grown by word of mouth. One of the challenges we encountered was tracking all of our referrals and making sure our members were recognized for sharing Camano Island Coffee with their friends and family.

As some of you know we set about the huge task of rebuilding our e-commerce system. This was a painful process. But, now that it’s complete we’re now able to track the referrals that you the Coffee Lovers Club member have been making all along. Essentially, we now get to reward you for doing what you’ve been doing — sharing.

What is the Never Pay For Coffee program?

For every friend you refer to the Coffee Lovers Club we will give you a $20 credit to use toward future club shipments.

And, we also give $20 off the first shipment of every friend you refer.

So basically, you’re friends will think you’re awesome for saving them money!

Thanks again for sharing Camano Island Coffee with your friends and family. Together we can save our friends from bad coffee and help coffee farmers around the world.   Thank you,
Jeff Ericson
President

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Put Your Grounds In The Ground!

Put Your Grounds In The Ground!

Let’s face it…as soon as you smell your Camano Island Coffee at your doorstep you can’t wait to drink it, right?! You rip the bags open and start drinking it as soon as possible. But what happens after you’ve enjoyed every cup? Do you throw the grounds out without a care in the world? You may not know this, but you’re throwing away the world’s best fertilizer!

Make Your Neighbors Envious Of Your Coffee Garden!

Naturally, coffee grounds are packed with nutrients and minerals making them the perfect soil enhancer to boost your garden’s beauty. With essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper, your hungry garden can get lots of what it needs from coffee! Whether they’re indoor or outdoor – your flowers, shrubs or evergreens will love your coffee with all its nutrients.

Don’t Forget The Nitrogen!

Mineral enrichment is essential to a flourishing garden. However, did you know nitrogen is also important? Nitrogen in the soil will lead to brilliant and healthy plants. Fertilizer at the store is a great source of nitrogen, but why buy more fertilizer when coffee already arrives to your door? After brewing, coffee grounds contain up to 2% nitrogen in volume. This makes your coffee the perfect nitrogen soil enhancer!

Grow Them In The Shade

To get the maximum nutrients in your coffee beans they must be grown in the shade. When grown in direct sunlight, the roots soak up less nutrients from the soil. You don’t have to worry because your Camano Island Coffee only grows in the shade. With our commitment to shade grown, your grounds will help your flowers to flourish – causing envy in the neighborhood!

Why Using Organic Beans Is Critical

Who wants to add harmful pesticides to their beautiful flowers? We know you don’t! USDA Certified Organic guarantees no pesticide contamination on our coffee trees. This coffee is chemical free! Not only will your plants love this organic fertilizer, but your farmer’s health is protected too. You can rest assured, your Camano Island Coffee grounds will be safe around your family, kids and pets.

How Should I Place My Brewed Grounds In The Ground?

To use the coffee grounds, take your rototiller and till the coffee grounds 6 – 8″ into the ground. Mixing the grounds deep in the earth will trap the nutrients in the soil and reach your plant’s roots. Don’t have a tiller? Take handfuls of coffee grounds and thoroughly mix them with your compost. Then, sprinkle your new coffee enhanced soil around the roots of your plants.

It’s up to you how much coffee you add to your soil mixture. Your plants will absorb the nutrients whether you add a handful or a whole pound. Don’t forget – only add the grounds after they are brewed. Adding them before they’re brewed can affect the pH balance in your soil. Without the proper pH balance, your plants may wilt.

Make A Difference With Each Cup

You can do more than grow a beautiful garden with Camano Island Coffee. Not only do your plants benefit but your coffee farmers benefit as well. Your coffee is pesticide free. This means, your coffee farmer did not risk their health growing your coffee. Another reason you’re making a difference is through the environment. By not adding to your waste bin, you can enjoy your coffee through your beautiful plants and reduce your impact on the environment.

Now that you’ve gained this exciting coffee gardening knowledge, feel free to share it with your friends and family! We thank you for making a real difference for our farmers and environment by drinking the world’s top 1% grade beans! If you’re not a member yet, Join the Coffee Lover’s Club to get started! Your first pound is on us.

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Sumatra Dark Roast – Bean Profile

Sumatra Dark Roast – Bean Profile

While we don’t condone the over-roasting of coffee as many other coffee companies approach their darker roasts, we’re in full support of a delicious, tasty dark roast. Especially when that roast brings in balance the darker tones of roasting with the nuances of the coffee bean we’re roasting.

Whenever we hear: “I want your darkest roast!” or “I like my coffee dark and rich,” there is only really one immediate conclusion – Sumatra Dark Roast.  Now if you like coffee darker than this, we’re not the coffee roaster for you. Because our coffee is extremely good for you, we feel it’s our duty to keep the carcinogen levels to an extreme low to provide you with healthy coffee.

One other benefit of the coffee we purchase from Sumatra is that, as a general rule, the Sumatra coffee we offer is our lowest in caffeine content – naturally. Many customers that previously couldn’t drink caffeinated coffee find that they are now able to enjoy a cup of fully caffeinated Sumatra (Dark or Medium Roast).

Sumatra Dark Cupping/Region Information:

Cupping Information:

  • Body: Full/Syrupy
  • Aroma: Dried Fruit, Nuts
  • Flavor: Dried fruit tones with a Heavy Nutty Base
  • Aftertaste: Lingering Deep Sweetness
  • Sweetness: Semi-Sweet – Dried Fruit

Region Information:

  • Country: Sumatra
  • Farm: Mandheling (Gayo Mountain Region)
  • Altitude: 1800 ft
  • Harvest: October-March
  • Soil: Volcanic Ash – High Nutrient
  • Production Method: Natural, Dry Process

Cupping Notes:

Certified organic Sumatra has a rich syrupy body with a dried fruit tone (apricot, cherry, and fig) and nutty base (pecan-esque).  Acidity is fairly mild and the finish leaves a semi-heavy coating in the mouth.

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Oreo Truffle Brownies with Espresso Ganache

Oreo Truffle Brownies with Espresso Ganache

I have no idea why there are strawberries in this photo… really.

My wife’s newest creation – Oreo Truffle Brownies with Espresso Ganache – comes courtesy of a friend. Rather than retype the instructions, I’m going to paste them directly from the email. There is something fun in the way they’ve been laid out – you can tell the sender was drooling over the thought of her own recipe as she typed it. Bolded letters were added by me though.

 Doesn’t this just look delicious, dripping with gooey espresso ganache!?

So, in a 9×13 pan make any brownie (homemade or box) then set it aside to cool. Then, in a bowl, crush by hand (or grind up in a food processor) an entire package of double stuff Oreos. Next, take 4 oz. of cream cheese put in microwave for 10 sec. to soften. Mix it in really well with the Oreo crumbs then spread and press on to the brownies.

Finally you make a ganache, where you bring to a simmer (on medium heat), 1 cup of whipping cream add 1 cup of milk chocolate chips and whisk until blended and smooth. Turn off the heat and add/mix your espresso (1-2 oz) let cool for 5 minutes then while still warm pour evenly over your brownies then let them cool completely before devouring…soooooo fudgy! Yum!

The recipe makes me so excited just to read. My wife replaced the “instant espresso” part (why is it that all recipes try to force bad coffee on you?) with fresh coffee. Two shots (2oz) of our certified organic, Varietal Supremo espresso coffee bean from Camano Island Coffee Roasters.

THIS WAS AMAZING. Yeah, I realize that I keep saying this about the stuff she is making… but I’m not lying. This is a super-rich, tasty dessert that was the perfect followup for dinner last night. One brownie was more than enough and left a delicious lingering taste in my mouth for most of the rest of the evening.

By Dan Ericson

Anxious to try this for yourself?  Grab a Free Pound of Organic Coffee below and never run out of delicious coffee again!

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Low Sugar White Chocolate Mocha Pie

Low Sugar White Chocolate Mocha Pie

Ok, I have to be honest… not many of the crew here got to enjoy this white chocolate mocha pie. *shhh… don’t tell*

My wife had this waiting for me when I ran home for lunch a couple days ago.  I ate lunch, was getting ready to run back to work… then she said “Oh, hey!  I have something special for you to try.”  That was all that was needed to get me to hang out a few minutes longer!

I gotta say, not only did it look SUPER good… but it tasted amazing!  As I was finishing my first piece, I started cleaning up my dish and silverware to start my journey back to work.

Then she stopped me again… (she knows how to keep me around longer!)

“So, I made this with sugar-free white chocolate pudding and fat-free cool whip.  I hope it tasted ok?”

Ok?  It was delicious!  I enjoyed a second piece (funny how that logic worked out for me).  Anyhow, enough of the story, here’s the how-to.

Ingredients:

  1. -1 chocolate pie crust (8-inch)
  2. -1 1/4 cups cold milk
  3. -2 tablespoons of double-strength Honduras Dark Roast (from Camano Island Coffee of course)
  4. -2 packages of 4-serving, sugar-free, white chocolate flavor instant pudding
  5. -8 oz. Cool Whip, divided
  6. -2 Pinches of Cinnamon powder (for the top)

Instructions:

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk and double strength Honduras Dark Roast coffee; add pudding mix and 1/2 (4oz) of the whipped topping. Beat until creamy and mixture becomes thick, about 1 minute. With a spatula, spread mixture in a prepared crust and top with the remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just prior to serving, add the cinnamon lightly to the top.

Idea From: CookingWithK.net and modified for GOOD coffee and a couple other things:)

Hope you love this as much as I did (and two others at “The Roaster” – not naming names in case I get in trouble!)

By Dan Ericson