Roasting curve: what it is and how it affects the flavor of coffee

The roasting process is both fascinating and detailed. For those in the coffee industry, understanding the roast curve is essential to creating that perfect cup of coffee that everyone loves. One of the most critical aspects of this process is the roast curve, a vital graph that shows how the temperature of the coffee beans changes throughout the roast. In this blog, we’ll look at how the roast curve influences the flavor of your coffee and how you can use this knowledge to improve your production.

What is the roasting curve?

The roasting curve is a graph that represents the changes in temperature of coffee beans during the roasting process. This graph is an important tool for roasters because each phase of the roast, from initial heating to final cooling, has a major impact on the aroma, flavor and texture of the coffee.

Roasting curve phases

The roasting process begins with the heating of the beans. During this phase, the temperature of the beans slowly rises. The goal is to prepare the beans for the next steps by ensuring that they heat evenly. Inadequate heating can lead to uneven roasting, negatively affecting the final flavor. First Crack: As the temperature increases, the moment of “first crack” arrives – a critical stage where the beans burst due to the internal pressure of vapors and gases. This popping is a sign that the beans are starting to release oils and gases, and is a turning point where the flavor begins to change significantly. First crack usually indicates that the roast is approaching the medium flavor profile. Development: After the first crack, the development phase is where the coffee’s flavor deepens and becomes more complex. During this phase, the beans continue to evolve, and this is where the roaster can adjust the curve to achieve specific flavor notes. The length of this phase can directly influence the intensity and balance of flavors in the final coffee. Cooling: Cooling is the final step in the roasting process. Once the desired temperature has been reached, the beans are rapidly cooled to stop the roasting process and maintain the desired flavor profile. Rapid cooling is crucial to prevent the coffee from continuing to roast and losing its desired characteristics.

How the Roast Curve Affects Flavor

Each phase of the roasting curve has a direct impact on the flavor profile of the coffee. How you control the temperature and time during each phase will determine whether the coffee will have more fruity, chocolatey, or even bitter notes. Adjusting the roasting curve allows roasters to create a variety of flavors and profiles.

SIATEC Brazil Roasters

At SIATEC Brazil, we understand the importance of a well-controlled roasting curve. Our roasters are designed to ensure perfect and consistent roasting, thanks to the following features: - Roasting chamber system with fluidized bed and negative pressure: This system ensures uniform heat distribution, eliminating hot and cold spots that can burn or undercook the beans. - Two independent furnaces: Allows for refined control over the roasting process. One furnace is used exclusively to burn the gases from the roasting, while the other furnace is responsible for generating heat exclusively for the coffee beans. In this way, the roasted coffee beans are not contaminated by the smoke from the roasting process. This SIATEC technology also allows our roaster to eliminate acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic substance, while enhancing the natural flavors and aromas of the coffee beans during the roasting process. - Customized roasting profiles: Each coffee has its own unique flavor profile, and our roasters allow you to create roasting curves for each type of bean. This ensures that each batch of coffee is roasted exactly as it should be, highlighting its best characteristics. With SIATEC Brasil, you can trust that your beans will be treated with care and precision, resulting in a high-quality coffee that reflects the true potential of the beans. Investing in advanced roasting technology is investing in the quality of your coffee. By choosing our roasters, you are investing in equipment that combines innovation, efficiency and precision to deliver a perfect roast every time. For more information on how our equipment can transform your roasting process and elevate the flavor of your coffee, contact us. REFERENCES: https://www.clubecafe.net.br/tipos-de-torra-cafe-gourmet#:~:text=A%20curva%20de%20torra%20%C3%A9,caf%C3%A9%20fica%20em%20cada%20temperatura https://www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/30170/1/CT582004.pdf