How to roast and grind coffee beans

If you love ground coffee espresso, there's nothing more rewarding than roasting and grinding your own coffee beans! Don't be intimidated -- it's a lot easier than it looks, and it's also much more economical to keep a stock of fresh, high-quality coffee if you're doing the roasting and grinding yourself.

To roast your coffee beans, you can use any number of smart devices designed for roasting beans. A small stove top roaster -- or, in a pinch, a skillet or frying pan -- is an easy way to roast beans without too much hassle or investment. For around $100, you can purchase a hot air-based electric coffee roaster. Purists insist that fire- or stove-roasting is the only correct way to roast green coffee, but let your budget and time decide what method is best for you.

For a half-pound of green coffee, roast the beans in a pan heated to around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the beans moving in the pan or else they won't heat evenly. Once the beans have cracked once, they'll start to take on a deeper color. Continue roasting until they're where you want them.

Once your beans are cooled, it's time to grind. Depending on how you wish to brew your coffee, you'll need to modify your grind. A coarser grind is best for a French press or vacuum coffee maker, while a medium grind is best suited for standard drip makers. A fine grind is necessary for espresso makers. Finding a good grinder should be decided by your budget and the grind you prefer. Spending between $25 and $100 will get you a great grinder that'll last you quite a while. Some of the best grinders are Wheel Burr-type grinders; more economical are blade-type grinders.

Keep in mind, once you grind your freshly-roasted coffee, brew it as soon as possible, and not more than three days from the day it was ground. This will ensure you end up with quality, Italian espresso like Kimbo coffee, just like they have in Italy. Following these simple directions, you'll have the best coffee you've ever tasted -- all for way less than it costs at your local coffeehouse!