FAQs
Your questions about specialty green coffee beans, home roasting and Roasters Hall - answered.
What is a green coffee bean?
Answer:
A green coffee bean is simply an unroasted coffee bean. Before coffee is roasted it is a raw, green seed, dried, processed and ready to be transformed by heat into the roasted coffee you are familiar with. Green coffee beans are what home roasters buy to roast themselves at home, unlocking flavours that are unique to their roast level, equipment and technique.
How is green coffee different from roasted coffee?
Answer:
Roasted coffee has already been through the roasting process, the flavours have been developed and locked in. Green coffee is the raw ingredient before roasting. When you buy green coffee beans you are buying the potential, the flavours that will develop when you apply heat. This is what makes home roasting so exciting. You are in control of the final cup.
Why would I buy green coffee instead of roasted coffee?
Answer:
There are several compelling reasons to buy green coffee beans as a home roaster:
Freshness : you roast only what you need, when you need it, nothing fresher exists
Value : green coffee beans cost significantly less per gram than roasted coffee
Control : you decide the roast level, the development time and the final flavour
Exploration : access to origins and lots that roasted coffee retailers rarely carry
Storage : green coffee stays fresh for up to 12 months versus weeks for roasted coffee
Is green coffee hard to roast at home?
Answer:
Not at all, home roasting is more accessible than most people think. You can start with a simple stovetop pan or popcorn maker and progress to a dedicated home roasting machine as your skills develop. The learning curve is real but the rewards are extraordinary. Most home roasters agree that their first successful roast is one of the most satisfying experiences in their coffee journey.
What does specialty grade mean?
Answer:
Specialty grade is the highest classification in the coffee grading system as defined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). To achieve specialty grade a coffee must score 80 points or above on the SCA cupping scale of 100, with the finest lots scoring 90 points and above. At Roasters Hall every green coffee we carry is specialty grade, we do not sell commodity or commercial grade coffee.
What is flavour potential?
Answer:
Flavour potential refers to the range of flavours that a green coffee can express when roasted correctly. Because green coffee is unroasted the final flavour depends entirely on how it is roasted, the roast level, development time, equipment and brewing method all play a role. We use the term flavour potential rather than tasting notes because we believe in being honest, we tell you what this coffee can taste like, not what it will taste like. The roasting is up to you.
*Flavour potential is indicative only. Final cup profile depends on roast level and brewing method. Per SCA cupping standards.
What is the difference between natural, washed and honey processed coffee?
Answer:
Processing refers to how the coffee cherry is prepared after harvesting before the green bean is dried and exported.
Natural Process : the whole coffee cherry is dried intact. Produces fruit forward, complex and intense flavour profiles. Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Grade 1 Natural is a perfect example.
Washed Process : the cherry skin and fruit are removed before drying. Produces clean, bright and transparent cup profiles where the origin terroir expresses clearly. Colombia Huila Washed is a perfect example.
Honey Process : the skin is removed but a controlled amount of fruit mucilage is left on the bean during drying. Produces a sweet, complex and body forward profile that sits between natural and washed. Guatemala Antigua Honey is a perfect example.
How long should I rest my coffee after roasting?
Freshly roasted coffee needs time to degas, releasing CO2 that builds up during roasting. Resting allows the flavours to settle and develop fully.
Minimum rest: 24 hours before brewing
Recommended rest: 5 – 10 days for filter brewing
Espresso rest: 7 – 14 days for best results
Green coffees with natural processing benefit from longer rest periods
Can I roast different origins together in the same batch?
Answer:
It is generally not recommended to blend different green coffees in the same roasting batch. Different origins have different densities, moisture levels and heat absorption rates, meaning they will roast at different speeds and produce uneven results. Roast each origin separately and blend after roasting if desired.
How much green coffee should I roast at one time?
Answer:
For beginner home roasters a batch size of 100g – 150g is ideal. This is small enough to manage easily, allows for experimentation without wasting too much coffee if the roast goes wrong and gives you enough roasted coffee for several brewing sessions. As your confidence grows you can increase your batch size based on your equipment capacity.
How long do green coffee beans last?
Answer:
Green coffee beans are remarkably stable compared to roasted coffee. When stored correctly:
Green coffee beans: up to 12 months
Roasted coffee: 2 – 4 weeks at peak freshness
Ground coffee: 1 – 2 weeks at peak freshness
This is one of the most compelling reasons to buy green and roast at home – you always have access to the freshest possible coffee.
How should I store my green coffee beans?
Answer:
Storing green coffee correctly is simple:
- Store in a cool, dry place – a cupboard or pantry is ideal
- Keep away from direct sunlight
- Allow the beans to breathe – avoid fully airtight containers
- A paper bag or container with a loose fitting lid works perfectly
- Do not refrigerate
- Do not freeze
- Do not store near strong odours – coffee absorbs smells easily
How long does roasted coffee stay fresh after roasting?
Answer:
Once roasted, coffee is at peak freshness for 2 – 4 weeks when stored correctly in an airtight container away from light, heat and moisture. Ground coffee goes stale much faster, within 1 – 2 weeks. This is why roasting small batches at home produces a dramatically fresher cup than buying pre-roasted coffee.
Where do you ship?
Answer:
Roasters Hall ships specialty green coffee beans to all provinces and territories across Canada. We are a proudly Canadian business serving the Canadian home roasting community from coast to coast.
Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Answer:
Yes, we offer wholesale pricing for small batch roasters, cafes and coffee businesses across Canada. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your requirements and we will put together a custom quote for you.
What are backorders?
Answer:
A backorder means an item is temporarily out of stock, but you can still place your order. It will ship as soon as the coffee is restocked, typically within 1 to 2 weeks.