2nd Annual HB Homeroasting Competition - discussion thread

[another_jim]

This is the discussion thread for the 2nd home roasting competition. Please post your observations, comments or questions here.

[another_jim]

Many people used last year's competition to get a professional critique of their roasts. People who liked this aspect of the competition would have preferred a competition with just one coffee, so they could do lots of test roasts and submit their best one for professional evaluation

This is a very good way for home roasters to improve their skills; but in my opinion, it's not really what the competition should be about. These competitions should be friendly, creative fun, not dull homework; after all, February is carnival month!

I'm not Tom Owens or Bob Yellin, but I am a pretty good judge of roasts. So if you want your roasts critiqued, take my class.

[Sherman]

It's on!

Jim, thanks for volunteering your time and effort. Looking forward to my Sweet Marias delivery!

-s.

[kupe]

Just placed my order as well. I've been looking forward to this since the last one. Keeping the coffees secret for the blending competition is really cool twist. I'm excited.

[Gismar]

I live in Norway, its ok for us to participate too? Shipping time may be a bit long, but I think maybe Ill take my chances.

[another_jim]

Please do. One of the reasons for the winter date is that there is less degradation of the submissions during shipping. However, it may be wise to submit for espresso, where a little aging helps.

[ecc]

Gave up my lurker status for this one, I'm in!

This looks like a lot of fun, and an excuse to order from SM puts it over the top. And now I get a chance to practice my willpower on the express shipping options...

[rama]

Can't say I'm thrilled with the coffee selections on the surface (Sumatra, Ethiopia if its a DP, and Brazil which is more for the espresso roasters, which I'm not). Nor am I all that thrilled with the premise of "make memorable and enjoyable blends from the more common good coffees", after forgoing just that to roast only the best SO beans.

But I think that's a bit narrow minded on both counts, and it'll be a worthwhile learning experience. The beans arrived tonight, and after unpacking and reading the A-B-C-D-E labels over and over, my 3 year old asked "why is this one darker than the others?" I'm pretty sure I know the origin, but why is it darker?

[another_jim]

The competition has multiple parts, and you can take part in only the parts you enjoy, i.e. submit an SO for brewing and nothing else.

A major benefit of home roasting is that you learn more about coffee than when buying it roasted. You lose this benefit if you only focus on the technicalities of roasting, or only perfecting the roast of your favorite varietal for your favorite brewing method. To my mind, the complete home roaster cups, blends, and roasts.

[Sherman]

Can't say I'm thrilled with the coffee selections on the surface (Sumatra, Ethiopia if its a DP, and Brazil which is more for the espresso roasters, which I'm not). Nor am I all that thrilled with the premise of "make memorable and enjoyable blends from the more common good coffees", after forgoing just that to roast only the best SO beans.

Rama, your post brings up a point that I've been pondering. I've been thinking about this a bit, and come to the conclusion that for participants, this is gonna be a lot of tasting and roasting! (at last count, 5 cupping roasts, then x roasts for SO/blend espresso and y roasts for SO/blend brewed) I'd consider this a fairly rigorous process, and wish the best of luck to everyone participating.

Given my own experience (or lack thereof), I'm feeling pretty nervous and anticipate some issues with my lack of breadth in tasting different coffees, but am throwing my hat in the ring anyway. Here's to shaky hands and worn out tastebuds!

-s.