Episode 75: In this episode, we discuss an often under-treated subject: roaster capacity. How much coffee is too little for your machine? How much is too much? Apart from just reading the manufacturer's "minimum" and "maximum" capacity, can you find that Goldilocks 'sweet spot' for your specific machine? We dive into this question and several related questions to help point roasters in the right direction! Take a listen now! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Fresh Roast SR540 and SR800 Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 74: In this episode, Catherine and Stephen answer a question not about technical mumbo jumbo, but about their personal preference, about roasting styles, and about their first time roasting. Everybody starts somewhere, and often, where you start roasting plays a defining role in your greater roasting journey from there on. If you're an experienced roaster, you can certainly relate, and if you're a newbie, this discussion is sure to help you get started on the right foot! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Fresh Roast SR540 and SR800 Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 73: This week's question is from a newbie roaster who asks whether they should try a whole bunch of different coffees, or just pick one or two that they really like. It seems like a simple question, but it led to a lively discussion and a ton of helpful tips for newbies (or longtime roasters who feel stuck in a rut!) We hope you enjoy! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 72: This week, we (mostly Stephen, because it's his thing!) answer a customer's question about dialing in espresso extraction, and discuss how different roast methods can affect how the coffee is extracted. How do you figure out what's right (or wrong) with a shot of espresso? What steps can you take to adjust or "dial in" your shot? We dive into it all here! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 71: This week, we (mostly Catherine, because it's her thing!) answer a customer's question about how to set up a coffee cupping, focusing on the nitty-gritty details of ratios, times, and temps. If you're interested in learning how to taste coffee the way professionals do, give this episode a listen! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Cafe Kreyol study "How Long Should Coffee Rest..." Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 70: This week, we answer a question from a listener who has been tracking his coffee's weight loss percentage from green to roasted, and using a very precise scale to determine roast level based on the moisture loss. He asks what we think of that method and for our tips on determining roast level using this and other means. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

BONUS EPISODE: Stephen gave a talk at last weekend's NOLA Coffee Festival in New Orleans, which we recorded to release as a bonus episode! In "The Essentials of Home Roasting," Stephen covers both the conceptual aspects of coffee roasting as well as their nuts-and-bolts practical application to get you creating the coffee you want today. Even if you're an experienced roaster, there's sure to be a new perspective on the roasting process that just may help you improve your game! We hope you enjoy! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: View the slideshow here Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here! Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 69: Have you ever wondered if the chaff makes a difference? Typically, larger specialty roasteries will tumble to "polish" their roasted coffee, removing the majority of the chaff in the process, but is this necessary for the home roaster? Does it really affect flavor or cup quality? We get into these questions while answering a listener's email, so we hope you enjoy! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here! Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 68: This week, we dive into the colorful world of the Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel! While this tool can seem intimidating or overwhelming, it's actually quite useful for beginner coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike! Check out this episode to see how Catherine and Stephen use the Wheel, and how you can too! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here! Here's an interactive Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 67: This week, we dive into a question from a listener about what makes a good shot of espresso, specifically, whether or not crema affects the overall quality of the espresso shot. This question is actually an interesting one, and more complicated than you might think! So check out this episode and share your thoughts in the comments! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Sumatra Mutu Batak from Current Crop Roasting Shop Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 66: If you want a consistent, well-rounded, complex, full-bodied brew without sacrificing flavor, you might have a hard time finding a single origin that'll fit the bill. That's where blending comes in! Blends have a lot of pros, but one major con -- creating them takes work. In this episode, we lay out a simple method to start coffee blending the right way, so you can get a delicious cup without chasing your tail. Happy roasting! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: 1st Key: Know what flavors each coffee brings to the table.  2nd Key: Roast to medium, and keep them separate until you're ready to brew. 3rd Key: Experiment with different ratios to find the perfect blend! Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 65: Ever wondered how two of the most popular "level up" roasters perform head-to-head? Catherine and Stephen discuss the pros and cons of the Bullet R2 1-kilo roaster vs. the Kaleido M10 1.2-kilo roaster. From roast performance to chaff handling to ease of use/transport, we cover a lot of the real-world features/bugs that don't show up on the product page. If you're considering upgrading to a larger capacity roaster, you don't want to miss this discussion! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Kaleido M10 1.2 Kilo Roaster at Coffee Bean Corral Bullet R2 1 Kilo Roaster at Current Crop Roasting Shop Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 64: This week, we explore the world of "alternative" processing methods, from co-fermenting to carbonic maceration. Our discussion is wide-ranging and seeks to answer the questions: "What? How? WHY???" PLUS: Stephen (a recovering coffee snob) shares his take on when a coffee processing method crosses the line into artificial flavoring. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 63: A listener is roasting coffee for a friend who finds the acid in many coffees hard on their stomach. We offer a suggestions at every stage of the process, from selecting a coffee, to roasting it, to brewing it, all to produce the lowest possible acidity in the cup. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Find coffees with lower Brightness ratings with the Coffee Bean Matrix Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 62: We're sure we'll step on some toes with this one... This week, we got a question from a small batch roaster looking to upgrade to a larger commercial roaster, but is unsure of which way to go. The two main categories of coffee roasters are "fluid bed" and "drum," and there are pros and cons to each. Check out our answer and drop into the comments to share your own perspective! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: The roaster brand I couldn't remember is Loring - Stephen Check out our commercial roasters lineup here Check out the Bullet roaster at CCRS here Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 61: This week, we're responding to a listener's question about how to consistently find coffees that he enjoys and how to find good "taste-a-like" coffees when his favorites are unavailable. What can I say? We've got set up for a shameless plug! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 60: This week, we got an excellent question from a self-proclaimed newbie roaster, including a picture (linked here). He gave us some details about his roast and his setup, and asked us to evaluate how he was doing. This is an excellent discussion for home roasters, whether you've just started or you have years of roasting under your belt. Throw your comments in the mix, ask questions, or teach us something new! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: The delicious but barely pronounceable Kenya: Ndaroini AB, Nyeri District Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 59: In this episode, Stephen tackles a question from a local questioner about how to steam milk for his lattes and cappuccinos using the cheap, old, big box store espresso machine he has on hand. Stephen discusses milk steaming technique, points to a few excellent resources and tools for getting great milk foam, and (because home coffee roasters are a scrappy bunch) proposes some solutions that will (hopefully) elevate the results of even low-end equipment! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Lance Hedrick's intro milk steaming video Low-priced espresso machine with a quality steam wand (Breville Bambino) Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 58: Why would anyone want to roast coffee themselves? We dive into this question, going through our Top 10 motivations for learning the art and science of coffee roasting, no matter if you have business ambitions or just want to share with friends! Whether you're a seasoned roaster or you're getting ready to take the plunge, this conversation will motivate and inspire you to dive in or dive deeper into the best hobby in the world! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 57: We respond to a question from an espresso drinker who's just getting started roasting about which country/origin produces the best beans for espresso. We discuss some of our favorites and how to choose a good coffee and roast level for espresso, based on your tastes! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website