Green coffee beans are beans that have not yet been through the roasting process. The first step of coffee processing is the harvesting berries by hand. In a wet process the berries are then pulped, most likely by machine, to remove the green beans from inside the berry. The beans are then washed and dried. In a dry process the berries are dried first and then the outer layers are removed. In either process the result are the dried interior beans of the coffee berry which are now called “green” coffee beans because of their green color.
The next stage in processing is roasting. Green coffee beans are beans that have not yet been roasted. You can purchase green coffee directly and roast it at home yourself. By roasting your own coffee beans you will have more control over the flavor of your coffee. You can roast in small batches so your coffee is fresher. Home roasting can be cheaper as well since green beans are less expensive to purchase and store longer than roasted coffee beans.
You can purchase home appliances made specifically for roasting coffee beans, you can re-purpose other home appliances such as a popcorn popper, or use a stove and skillet. There are a variety of stages in the roasting process and you will need to determine what kind of roast you desire.
Green coffee beans can be stored longer than roasted coffee. They are good for up to a year, however some of their aging time will have happened at the supplier so keep that in mind. They should be kept in a cool dry place with limited humidity, preferably at room temperature. A ziploc bag will keep green coffee fresh for about a month, while a paper or cotton bag will keep it fresh longer.
You can find green coffee bean suppliers online. Before you buy you’re going to want to do some research on varietals of beans so you know what to look for. Knowing more about the type of green beans you purchase will help you in the roasting process as well. While green refers to the color of the bean, color can still vary among green coffee beans depending on the processing and length of the drying process.