My coffee roasting journey, which started with that humble Poppo and has led me to the exciting prospect of the SR800, has been an incredible learning curve. And truthfully, a huge part of that learning has come from the generosity of the online coffee community. Beyond the vibrant Facebook and Reddit groups I’ve mentioned, there are some truly amazing websites and blogs that offer a treasure trove of free information, guiding roasters from absolute beginner to advanced levels.
I’ve honestly spent hundreds of hours poring over these resources, soaking up knowledge like a sponge. They’ve helped me understand everything from the nuances of green coffee to the science behind a perfect roast. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding, troubleshoot issues, or simply get inspired, I cannot recommend these highly enough.
Think of these as your personal coffee roasting university, entirely free of charge!
Here are the websites and blogs that have been my constant companions on this flavorful adventure:
- Sweet Maria’s Coffee Library: This is truly a goldmine! Their library is packed with articles, guides, and videos covering everything you could imagine – from understanding where your green coffee comes from to deciphering roast levels and even cupping (tasting) your roasts. I’ve found their “Coffee Glossary” and “Roast Planning” sections especially useful for building a solid foundation.
- Mill City Roasters – Education: If you’re ready to get serious and dive into the deeper science of roasting, Mill City’s education section is fantastic. Their tutorials are structured and incredibly well-produced. You’ll learn about critical concepts like airflow dynamics, the magic of Maillard reactions, how to interpret roast curves, and even some insights into the business side of roasting.
- Burman Coffee Traders – Roasting Resources: For solid how-to guides and excellent beginner advice, Burman Coffee Traders is a go-to. They’re particularly helpful if you’re trying to wrap your head around the subtle differences between various roast types or need to troubleshoot those inevitable early problems we all face.
- Home-Barista.com Roasting Forum: This is more of a technical forum, but what a resource it is! You’ll find in-depth debates on roast philosophy, specific gear discussions, and plenty of talk about espresso-oriented roasts. While it’s geared more toward intermediate to advanced users, even as a beginner, I found it fascinating to read through past discussions and pick up advanced tips.
- Perfect Daily Grind – Home Roasting: As the name suggests, Perfect Daily Grind offers a beautifully curated set of articles. They cover roasting tips, fascinating origin stories of different beans, various processing methods, and reviews of new gear. It reads more like a high-quality coffee magazine but is always backed by excellent research.
These resources have been invaluable in my journey, and I genuinely believe they can accelerate yours too. Happy learning, and happy roasting!
