You’re looking at me like I’m crazy, but roasting your own coffee is where it’s at.
It’s pretty damn easy and it doesn’t take much to get started. I tinkered with roasting for years using nothing but a $3 electric popcorn popper I got from Goodwill. But you don’t even need that — Blue Bottle’s James Freeman got his start roasting coffee in his oven.
I got this particular roaster because it has a catalytic converter to reduce the smoke output. I also like the humor of the word “Professional” written on the plastic housing. It’s great for home use, but professional? Please.
There’s a number of places to buy raw coffee beans. Oakland-based e-tailer Sweet Marias is the best.
Anyway, I’ve been using the Nesco roaster for almost a month now, and give it two caffeinated thumbs up.