U-Roast-Em Green Bean Blog

Organic Colombian Popayan Tieradentro

2007-10-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

Organic Colombia Tierradentro
September 27, 2007

New Organic Colombian coffee arrived this week, Tierradentro, from Cauca.
This coffee group consists of 1800 producing families, growing coffee in volcanic soils at elevations of 1700mt+. They grow primarily Typica, with some Caturra.
Buy some.
U-Roast-Em.com

New Arrival- Cup Of Excellence

2007-06-27T13:53:00.000-05:00

Cup Of Excellence 2007 Winner-Colombian

From the Meta region of Colombia, this Cup of Excellence 2007 winning coffee was grown my Jorge Rincon on his farm "Llano Grande". 70% Catura and 30% Typica variety beans processed by traditional wet milling. Jorge makes a conscious effort to preserve the native forest on his farm and protects the natural sources of fresh water. He uses all the organic wastes from the depulping process to produce fertilizer for his crops.

Superb cup, with an international jury score of 91.09! Jury members found this cup to exhibit a creamy body with floral and chocolate hints. Caramelly and naturally sweet with additional hints of vanilla, strawberry and melon. Great acidity and a winning finish.

We have a very limited amount of this bean. Please contact us if you would like to purchase larger amounts.

100% Arabica

Decafe Ethiopian KVW

2007-06-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

KVW is a water decaffeination process done in Germany. It is a European water process that is safe and clean as well as efficient in retaining those delicate flavors coffee drinkers love.

This Decafe Ethiopian is from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia and exhibits citrus and berry notes.

DECAFE ETHIOPIAN KVW

Jamaican Blue Mountain

2007-04-05T15:09:00.000-05:00

Back in stock, for a limited time only!
Jamaican Blue Mountain Green Coffee Beans

October Specials and New Green Beans

2006-10-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

El Salvador Santa Rita SHG EP - SPECIAL
$4.19/lb $17.59/5lbs $75.61/25lbs

Honduras Cup Of Excellence 2006 Winner
$7.79/lb $34.25/5lbs

Organic Mexican Altura Oaxaca
$4.39/lb $19.59/5lbgs $83.26/25lbs

U-Roast-Em, Inc.

New Green Coffee Beans

2006-09-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

We have three new coffee beans available as of Sept 20th. Click on individual bean names for more information and to order.

Honduras Cup of Excellent Winner 2006
$7.79/lb $34.25/5lbs

El Salvador Santa Rita SHG EP
$4.29/lb $18.29/5lbs $77.73/25lbs

Organic Mexican Altura Oaxaca
$4.39/lb $19.59/5lbs $83.26/25lbs

September Specials and New Items

2006-09-14T12:44:00.000-05:00

SPECIALS
Nicaragua La Bastilla Rainforest Alliance Certified
$4.09/lb $16.99/5lbs $73.21/25lbs

Home Coffee Roasting; Romance and Revival Book
$13.95

NEW
Colombian Narino Reserva Del Patron
$4.59/lb $19.99/5lbs $84.96/25lbs

New Professional Cooling Pan for Home Roasters

2006-08-31T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have been roasting coffee and following closely the home roasting phenomenon for in excess of 30 years. I have tuned in on forums, written several articles and continue to roast my own coffee. I don't claim to be an expert, fact is I wrote a derogatory story about so called coffee experts one time. In my 30+ years I have come to understand quite a bit about roasting and the things which make great coffee even better.

The one single biggest problem with home coffee roasting is the cooling process. Virtually every home coffee roasting machine attempts to cool the coffee after roasting, in the same chamber it was roasted in. It is impossible to go from roast to cool in the same chamber without a SLOW cooling which BAKES the freshly roasted coffee beans rendering them far from where they could be. This Hunter SL 250 full 1 hp professional cooler is what I use because I know of none better. What ever you are roasting in; the minute it hits the roast you enjoy, carefully dump the beans into an already running Hunter SL250 and gently stir with the wooden spoon included. Beans will go from roasting to room temperature in just over 60 seconds and provide you with the most lively and tasty beans you have ever cupped. This cooler will work with every roasting machine I know of. The maximum safe quantity of beans is 1 pound but will work on any size batch 1 pound or smaller. If you are a home roaster you should have this cooler it is every bit as important as your roaster.

Buy Cooling Pan
http://www.u-roast-em.com/cooling-pan.html

New Colombian Coffee Bean

2006-08-17T13:22:00.000-05:00

Colombian Narino Reserva Del Patron

$4.65/lb $19.99/5lbs $84.96/25lbs

This is another McAlpin coffee that lives up the standards of his other superior beans. Grown in the Narino region of the Colombian Andes, one of the two best regions in the country for coffee beans, the Reserva Del Patron is a large, supremo-sized bean with a superbly rounded taste. This cup is balanced and slightly sweet with an even acidity.

This coffee is drawn from one of the finest Colombian plantations with strict standards of preparation, ensuring a flavorful taste and superior quality. With more acidity, body and flavor than the other Colombians, the Reserva Del Patron is a hard to find bean with a huge reputation.

Very hard bean, roast to any profile you enjoy. Makes a great espresso.
100% Arabica

Buy Green Coffee Beans Here

August Green Coffee Bean Specials

2006-08-09T09:16:00.000-05:00

Zimbabwe AA+
$4.09/lb $16.79/5lbs $68.00/25lbs
Zimbabwe coffee beans have a moderate acidity, rich flavor, good body and nice aftertaste. The aroma is sweet and sharp, with a hint of East African “wild”. This is a hard bean that roasts to Italian and makes a good espresso.

Home Coffee Roasting; Romance and Revival
by Kenneth Davids
$13.95
In the past decade, home coffee roasting has gone from a small but growing trend to an increasingly mainstream audience. Still, for many in the current generation of coffee lovers, roasting remains a mysterious process. In this completely revised, expanded edition of his classic Home Coffee Roasting, James Beard Award nominated Kenneth Davids reveals the secrets to simple, quality home roasting.

We also sell Roasted Coffee Beans , Green Coffee Beans and Coffee Flavorings

Green Bean Changes, Deletions and Additions

2006-07-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

We are rotating stock and eliminating a couple of beans from our current offerings. We have limited stock (see below) on the following beans and have no future restock date available. If you want them, buy them now!

Nepal Washed Himalayan: 3lbs available
Colombian Popayan Relationship Catamosan: 10lbs available

We are receiving a new shipment of Tanzania Peaberry today, July 25th, and will be completely restocked with this bean as of this afternoon.

The Fresh Beans Plus 8 roasters will be arriving the first week in August.

Don't forget that we are now selling roasted coffee beans. Choose your favorite bean and your favorite roast and we will roast and ship to you immediately. We do not roast until you order.

U-Roast-Em, Coffee Bean Sales

Now Selling Roasted Whole Bean Coffee!

2006-07-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

U-Roast-Em is now selling roasted coffee beans. Our roasted beans are not roasted until you order them, ensuring you the freshest batch of coffee possible. Beans are roasted in 1-2 pound batches on a daily basis. If you want to know exactly how fresh your coffee is, buy our roasted coffee beans!

Beans are available in a Regular, Medium or Dark roast. Decafe, Flavored and Regular beans are available.

Current offerings:

Costa Rica Tres Rios
Colombian Supremo
Decafe Colombian
Sumatra Madheling
Kenya AA
Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Malawi Mzuzu
Guatemala San Pedro
Kona Blend
Fair Trade, Organic Peru
Fair Trade, Organic Guatemala
Flavored Regular
Flavored Decafe

Click here to order roasted coffee beans

Coffees of Yemen

2006-06-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Republic of Yemen was created in 1990 by the unification of North and South Yemen. Located on the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, it is part of the Middle East. Although the Republic of Yemen is a new nation, it is one of the earliest known centers of civilization.

The people are now as Yemenis; their language is Arabic and they are almost all Muslim. The population is estimated at 15,800,000. Most people of the Arabian Peninsula are Nomads, however, the Yemen’s earning their livelihood from trade and farming have a more settled way of life. There are only four cities of any size, including Sanaa (the capital), which is believed to be one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities.

In ancient times, Yemen was the site of many kingdoms, one of which was the Queen of Sheba’s. At that time the kingdoms played an important economic part of frankincense and Myrh trading, however, their role sharply decrease when the Romans took over the trade. In the 1500’s their trade activity was revived when coffee became an important export.

Yemen’s chief products today are cotton, wheat and other grains, fruits, vegetables, oil, natural gas and coffee.

Ah, the coffee….

Everyone has heard the word “Mocha”. It seems to be one of the more confusing terms in the world of coffee because it has several meanings. It is an old fashioned nickname for coffee, a drink consisting of coffee and hot chocolate, and the common name for coffee from Yemen.

Yemen Mocha is one of the most ancient and traditional coffees. This natural coffee has been famous for centuries as Mocha, since it was through that port, which has long been closed off by a sand bar, that this coffee was first shipped to the West. Mochas as now shipped from Hodeida and Adan, and exports are around 60,000 bags per year with only a small amount coming to the U.S.

This small, round, irregular olive green to yellow bean is still grown as it probably was over a thousand years ago. Planted in irrigated terraces clinging to the sides of semiarid mountains, water is directed through little rock-lined channels to the roods of the plant. To protect the plants from hail and cool night temperatures, the plants are shaded with poplar trees.

Most coffee from Northern Yemen is processed naturally. Dried with the fruit still attached to the beans, the dried husk is later removed by millstone or other primitive methods. This accounts for the rough, irregular look to the bean.

Of the market names that most often appear, Mattari usually represents a more acidy, winey version that the lower toned, more balanced Sanani.

Since Mocha is such a disctinctive coffee, everyone has something interesting to say about it: Unique, sharp flavor… mellow body…creamy….rich….distinctive winey flavor… chocolaty undertones. Give it a try and see what flavors your palate detects.

U-Roast-Em carries Yemen Mocha Sanani. We also make the popular Mocha Java, which is a blend of our Yemen Mochaand Java Estate coffees. Make your own rich coffee blend by adding a chocolate flavoring to our Mocha Java blend, creating a delightful cup of coffee.

Yemen Mocha on sale - July 2006
$6.80/lb $27.99/5lbs $118.96/25lbs
Order green coffee beans

Castañer Mountain Coffee

2006-06-20T11:58:00.000-05:00

High in the mist-filled mountains of Puerto Rico, along the central “cordillera” just east of the island’s center is an area known for its coffee for at least 100 years. This region of rich, volcanic soils and near perfect climate includes the barrios of Adjuntas, Lares, Maricao, Utuado, and Yauco (see map). The cool nights and warm sunny days, interrupted at times by afternoon showers, produce ideal conditions for coffee growing. In discussions with the owners of local haciendas, they tell of the days when this area’s coffee was exported exclusively to European markets and was the foremost coffee served in the Vienna café culture
of the late 1800’s.

There are a number of farmers in this mountainous region who are interested in growing the high quality coffee for which the area was historically known. Farmers such as Israel González, in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), are refining older methods to meet today’s need for increased efficiency while maintaining the high standards of a previous era. Drying the coffee bean after removing the fruit is one area of interest. The goal is to achieve a slow, constant heat that dries the coffee without introducing contaminants from the heat source. New, innovative methods preserve the exceptional flavor and quality uniquely found in sun-dried coffee.

Another farmer, Pedro Bengochea who grew up in the area, has been involved in a number of studies conducted by the UPR that are looking for ways to significantly reduce the quantities of agricultural chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides which have become common in the coffee growing business. Both Pedro and Israel work closely with the UPR Experimental Station to improve the quality of coffee and introduce safer methods of agriculture.

With your first taste of Castañer Mountain Coffee, like Europeans of centuries past, you will be convinced that the work of these farmers to ensure the highest quality coffee is worth their effort. Compare this cup to Jamaican Blue Mountain and enjoy the satisfaction of sipping a coffee that is similar in flavor and quality at a fraction of the price. We invite you to try a cup of our Castañer Mountain Coffee and savor the full-bodied flavor, chocolaty undertones, and clean finish that define this perfect cup of coffee.

“¡Buen Provecho!”

Castañer Mountain Coffee can be purchased at U-Roast-Em, Inc.

New FTO DECAFE!

2006-06-15T11:34:00.000-05:00

Decafe, Fair Trade, Organic Sumatra SWP

You asked for it! After fielding dozens of requests for an Organic Decafe green coffee bean, we searched high and low and came up with something even better! This is a Fair Trade, Organic, Decafe Sumatra bean. Our only Swiss Water Processed decafe, this bean has never been in contact with any pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.
A low-acidity coffee with a full body. This is a good decafe blender for your espresso. Typical of Sumatran coffee, earthy flavor and body.

Visit the Swiss Water Process website for more information on this decafe process.

Order Green Coffee Beans Online

Zimbabwe AA+ has returned!

2006-06-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

$4.26/lb $17.79/5lbs $71.99/25lbs
Zimbabwe AA+

Moderate acidity, rich flavor, good body and aftertaste. The aroma is sweet and sharp, with a hint of East African “wild”. This hard bean roasts to Italian and makes a good espresso.

Roast Coffee and Save Money

2006-06-01T11:37:00.000-05:00

Cut Coffee Costs, Roast Your Own
Click on the above link to read an article about roasting your own coffee beans by sydicated author, Mary Hunt.

Green Coffee Beans

June Specials

2006-06-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

Guatemala San Pedro Atitlan
A classic Guatemalan cup. Deep bodied, stunning acidity, with hints of chocolate and cinnamon. You have to close your eyes when you cup this one but you can get the hint of smoky flavor Guats are known for.
Very hard bean and roasts to a nice Italian or French roast. Great in espressos.

$4.29/lb $17.99/5lbs $76.46/25lbs

BUY GREEN COFFEE BEANS

Coffees of Yemen

2006-05-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

The Republic of Yemen was created in 1990 by the unification of North and South Yemen. Located on the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, it is part of the Middle East. Although the Republic of Yemen is a new nation, it is one of the earliest known centers of civilization.

The people are now as Yemenis; their language is Arabic and they are almost all Muslim. The population is estimated at 15,800,000. Most people of the Arabian Peninsula are Nomads, however, the Yemen’s earning their livelihood from trade and farming have a more settled way of life. There are only four cities of any size, including Sanaa (the capital), which is believed to be one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities.

In ancient times, Yemen was the site of many kingdoms, one of which was the Queen of Sheba’s. At that time the kingdoms played an important economic part of frankincense and Myrh trading, however, their role sharply decrease when the Romans took over the trade. In the 1500’s their trade activity was revived when coffee became an important export.

Yemen’s chief products today are cotton, wheat and other grains, fruits, vegetables, oil, natural gas and coffee.

Ah, the coffee….

Everyone has heard the word “Mocha”. It seems to be one of the more confusing terms in the world of coffee because it has several meanings. It is an old fashioned nickname for coffee, a drink consisting of coffee and hot chocolate, and the common name for coffee from Yemen.

Yemen Mocha is one of the most ancient and traditional coffees. This natural coffee has been famous for centuries as Mocha, since it was through that port, which has long been closed off by a sand bar, that this coffee was first shipped to the West. Mochas as now shipped from Hodeida and Adan, and exports are around 60,000 bags per year with only a small amount coming to the U.S.

This small, round, irregular olive green to yellow bean is still grown as it probably was over a thousand years ago. Planted in irrigated terraces clinging to the sides of semiarid mountains, water is directed through little rock-lined channels to the roods of the plant. To protect the plants from hail and cool night temperatures, the plants are shaded with poplar trees.

Most coffee from Northern Yemen is processed naturally. Dried with the fruit still attached to the beans, the dried husk is later removed by millstone or other primitive methods. This accounts for the rough, irregular look to the bean.

Of the market names that most often appear, Mattari usually represents a more acidy, winey version that the lower toned, more balanced Sanani.

Since Mocha is such a disctinctive coffee, everyone has something interesting to say about it: Unique, sharp flavor… mellow body…creamy….rich….distinctive winey flavor… chocolaty undertones. Give it a try and see what flavors your palate detects.

U-Roast-Em carries Yemen Mocha Sanani. We also make the popular Mocha Java Blend , which is a blend of our Yemen Mocha and Java Estate coffees. Make your own rich coffee blend by adding a chocolate flavoring to our Mocha Java blend, creating a delightful cup of coffee.

Buy Yemen Mocha Green Coffee Beans

Coffees of Sulawesi (Celebes)

2006-05-15T16:03:00.000-05:00

Coffees of Sulawesi (Celebes)

Sulawesi (Soo-luh-way-see), also known as Celebes, is an island that is part of the country of Indonesia. The islands of Indonesia can be divided into three groups; the greater Sunda islands, the Lesser Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The Greater Sunda Islands are a chain, including: Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Sulawesi. The island consists of four finger-like mountainous peninsulas, with the highest point reaching 11,336 ft. Sulawesi, just each of Borneo, is Indonesia’s most mountainous island. Volcanoes, some of them still active, rise on the northern peninsula. Inland, Sulawesi’s valleys and plateaus have fertile farmlands and rich grazing land, while the coastal waters provide a bountiful catch. The equator passes through the northern part of Sulawesi and more than 50% of the surface of the island is covered in rainforests.

Ujung Pandang, is the principal city on the island. It was once an important colonial spice center. In fact, when Columbus arrived in America he was really looking for a western sea route from Europe to the Indies. The region known as the Indies includes Sulawesi. Although spices are no longer the islands most important export commodity, Ujung Pandang is still the chief trading center for eastern Indonesia.

Because the rugged terrain divided one section from those in another, the population of more than 14 million consists mostly of small groups of people with different languages, customs and religious beliefs. More than 250 languages are spoken in the whole of Indonesia, including Bahasa Indonesia, the country’s official language. Around 88 percent of Indonesia’s people are Muslims, and 10 percent are Christians. However, many hold other beliefs that combine worship of ancient ancestors and nature, with Islam or Christianity.

Most of the people are Malays whose ancestors came from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The great majority of the people live in small villages and farm for a living. Farmers raise such crops as coffee, corn, rice, yams and tobacco for export. The Dutch introduced coffee to Sulawesi in the late 1690’s.

The Sulawesi available at U-Roast-Em.com is from Toraja, a mountainous area near the center of the island and the oldest coffee-growing region on the island. Sulawesi Toraja is a splendid coffee, much like the best Sumatran coffees. It is a little lighter in body and a bit livelier in acidity. If you enjoy the exotic coffees of Indonesia, or if you are just looking for something new, our Celebes Toraja is an experience waiting just for you.

Buy Sulawesi Coffees

Teas in stock!

2006-04-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

Our teas have arrived and are now listed on our website with pictures. Click below to view our current tea list. These are some delicious teas!
Click here for our Teas

Jamaican Blue Mountain

2006-04-20T14:28:00.000-05:00

Jamaican Blue Mountain is back in stock in limited quantities. Purchases available in 1-4lb bags only.
1# = $26.89

Balanced, rich, delicate and mild. Rare in supply, high in demand plus desirable characteristics, no wonder this coffee consistently fetches such a high price.
Roast to Full City and not beyond. It can take the heat but is a waste of your $ to bring out the caramels of dark roasts.

Jamaican Blue Mountain

Bulk Teas

2006-04-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

New Bulk Teas added to our current offerings. Teas will be available starting May 1st, 2006.

Organic Estate English Breakfast
Organic Morrocan Mint
Tuscan Herbal Blend
Gen Maicha Select Green Tea
Citrus Chamomile Herbal Blend
South African Rooibos

Check back with us often to see our updated tea list at: http://www.uroastem.com/coffee-beans.html#teas

Roast Profiles

2006-03-16T10:54:00.000-06:00

Finding the right roast profile for the maximum enjoyment of each individual coffee can, and should be, half the fun. The coffee industry has no set roast profiles and roasts vary from roaster to roaster. Since you are now a roaster and will soon develop your own interpretation of roasts and what serves you best, here are some guidelines for your journey.

Cinnamon or City Roast: This is generally the lightest roast and is the most popular roast in the mass manufactured coffees. This roast is just after the first crack (a popping which takes place during roasting). It is also a roast we use in cupping as it unmasks the most cup characteristics while allowing for the beans individual profile to be exposed. Some coffee at this roast will brighten up a blend.

Full City or Vienna Roast: Coffee pops almost like popcorn when roasting. In the industry it is called cracking. There are two distinct cracks when roasting coffee. Just after the first crack your roast is light. As you get into the second crack (more of a crackle) the beans become dark, smoke more and develop into dark roasts. Just into the second crack when the oils are just visible you are at Full City or Vienna Roast.

French Roast: The most popular of dark roasts, French Roast is the roast achieved when you allow the roast to continue into the second crack until the beans are very dark and oily. The second crack will be pretty much over at a French Roast.

Italian or Espresso Roast: The roast most often used in making espresso drinks and shots of espresso. All of the dark roasts make great espresso drinks and should be tried to see what suite your pallet best. Italian roast is achieved when you allow the beans to roast to almost black, very oily and beyond French Roast. As roasts get darker they speed up considerably so the difference in time between French and Italian is only seconds.

www.u-roast-em.com

Rwanda - New Coffee Bean!

2006-03-02T09:40:00.000-06:00

Rwanda Inkoboka Boubon Green Coffee Beans
$5.15/lb $22.25/5lbs $94.56/25lbs
Save up to $1.37 per pound when you purchase in 5lbs bags.

Frought with a history of civil war, Rwanda is arriving in the specialty coffee industry with a great cupping coffee. Situated near Lake Kivu, these beans are grown in high altitude, volcanic soils. As with Kenya, and other East African coffees, this Rwanda has a good body and a classic clean taste. I enjoy this cup at any time of the day, it is smooth with hints of sweetness, citrus tones and winey acidity.
Full City or Vienna roast is a good starting point for this coffee.

Order Rwanda Green Coffee Beans