7 Coffee Roasting Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Len Brault's extensive experience running LensCoffee.com and leading seminars since 2005 shines through in this detailed guide for both newcomers and seasoned roasters. You gain a solid understanding of coffee roasting's science, from identifying bean defects to mastering roasting equipment, whether small air-popper styles or large drum roasters. Chapters like the illustrated roasting process and quick reference guides make it straightforward to follow and apply. If you want to deepen your skills in producing flavorful, well-roasted coffee at home or professionally, this handbook offers clear, practical insights without unnecessary jargon or fluff.

Unlike most coffee roasting books that cover general roasting basics, Scott Rao's Coffee Roasting Best Practices dives deep into advanced techniques refined over 25 years of hands-on experience. You’ll learn how to expertly control roast curves, avoid common defects like ROR crashes and baked coffee, and master the subtle balance between roast development and flavor clarity. Chapters focus on practical strategies to prevent over-roasting and roasty flavors, providing insights that go beyond simple machine operation. This book is ideal if you’re already familiar with roasting fundamentals and want to elevate your craft to a professional level.

This personalized book explores the art and science of coffee roasting, tailored to match your background and specific flavor goals. It covers roasting fundamentals, from bean selection to roasting stages, while diving deeply into flavor development and the nuances that define exceptional coffee. By focusing on your interests and skill level, it guides you through mastering roast curves, understanding chemical changes, and achieving consistency in every batch. This tailored approach blends expert knowledge with your unique journey, making complex concepts approachable and applicable. The book reveals how careful roasting transforms green beans into rich, vibrant flavors, offering a custom pathway through this intricate craft.

Scott Rao's decades of hands-on roasting and consulting experience culminate in this detailed guide aimed at elevating your coffee roasting craft. You’ll explore precise roasting techniques, machine calibration insights, and flavor development principles grounded in Rao’s use of over 250 roasting machines worldwide. The book breaks down critical elements such as roast profiling and airflow control, making complex processes accessible. If you’re passionate about refining your roasting skills or operate a roasting business, this book offers practical knowledge shaped by real-world expertise. However, casual home brewers might find its technical depth more than needed.

Unlike most coffee roasting books that focus solely on theory, this journal by Deloris Publishing serves as a practical companion for those who want to track and refine their roasting process. With 120 pages designed to organize your observations, it helps you record roasting times, bean origins, flavor notes, and adjustments, making it easier to replicate or improve your batches. This approach benefits home roasters and small-scale professionals who value hands-on documentation to enhance their craft. The soft matte cover and portable 6"x9" size make it convenient to carry during tastings or roasting sessions, blending usability with thoughtful design.

Drawing from her background as a barista and a passionate coffee lover, Jessica Simms offers clear guidance on how roasting transforms green coffee beans into the rich flavors you savor. You’ll learn how to match roast levels to different beans and brewing methods, and what equipment you need to roast at home or commercially. The book dives into roasting stages, bean types, and profiles, helping you understand how subtle changes affect taste. If you want hands-on knowledge about coffee roasting, this short but focused guide equips you with practical insights without overwhelming details.

This tailored book explores the art and science of coffee roasting with a focused journey to enhance your roasting consistency and control within 30 days. It covers the essential principles of heat application, roast curve analysis, and flavor development, all matched to your specific experience level and roasting equipment. The book examines how subtle adjustments influence bean chemistry and reveals techniques to replicate desired profiles reliably. By tailoring content to your background and goals, it provides a personalized path through complex roasting concepts, enabling you to build confidence and skill efficiently. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of how each phase of roasting shapes the final cup, making your learning both practical and engaging.

Luxurymedia Press brings a focused approach to coffee roasting with this detailed logbook designed for enthusiasts who want to track every nuance of their roast. You gain the ability to meticulously record key variables such as bean origin, humidity, temperature, green and roasted weights, and roasting milestones, allowing you to refine your process systematically. The inclusion of tasting sheets and brewing notes encourages a holistic understanding of how these factors influence flavor, making it especially useful for those serious about developing their palate. If you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with different coffee varieties and wants a structured way to capture your results, this logbook offers a practical framework without overwhelming you with theory.

What sets this log book apart is its focused design for coffee roasters who want to systematically capture the nuances of each roast. Chequa Logbooks provides detailed templates that prompt you to record everything from bean origin and altitude to roasting times and flavor notes, enabling you to replicate successful batches with precision. For anyone serious about refining their craft—whether a home enthusiast or a professional—the book offers a practical way to track variables that affect taste and consistency. For example, it guides you to note first crack temperature and roast loss, which are crucial for quality control. This isn’t a manual on roasting techniques but a meticulous record keeper to sharpen your roasting process.