I try not to just pass along links that can be found in the usual places but I can't help myself this time.
The DIY Guide to Roasting Your Own Coffee! [via Lifehacker]
Lots of links and some good information to help with the decision to home roast your coffee.
I started roasting coffee at home a few years now. I didn't do the ultra-low-budget approach mentioned first in the article. I picked up a Zach & Dani roaster because it has a catalytic converter (no smoke!) and I can just set it and go without messing with it. I don't have the tolerance or patience to smoke up the house with a skillet or popcorn popper and neither does Margo. I do enough of that when I do steaks indoors.
Roasting your own coffee is a lot cheaper if you can find a local roaster that is willing to sell you green beans. I used to go up to Mayorga til it really started to be a pain in the butt to get up there. Jamie's General Bean is a lot closer but I haven't actually been able to buy green beans from them. When I don't have any green I get my roasted coffee from there because I know their coffee is fresh. It's not quite as cheap to home roast if you have to get your coffee shipped from somewhere. When I order online, I go to Sweet Maria's and the shipping adds up when you're ordering 5-10lbs at a time. At least I'm able to count on sampler packs from family as an easy Christmas/bitrhday gift.
I think that the best part of home roasting my own coffee is the taste. Truly fresh coffee (1-7 days from roasting) is a lot different than what we're used to. The flavors are brighter and more complex. It's hard for me to describe. If you can find a good local roaster/cafe give them a try and you'll see. If you have a good espresso machine (I don't) you can even see the difference fresh coffee makes in your crema.
I'm not a fan of Starbucks' roasting style either...almost every variety of coffee is burnt so you taste the 'Starbucks roast' as much as the flavor of the coffee. In the DC area, it seems that a lot of the non-Starbucks cafes are using over-roasted coffee these days too. When I roast my own, I roast to city or full city which to my taste brings out more of the flavor character of the bean. I do enjoy their Breakfast Blend occasionally though.
There's also the creativity in home roasting of creating your own blends...putting together multiple varieties to make a more balanced and flavorful cup of coffee.
One thing that is a pain about home roasting is that you have to keep track of your coffee consumption if you have to have your beans shipped. Even if you have a local source, you don't want to roast a batch and brew it right away...you want to let it sit 12-24 hours. So, if you run out, you're kinda stuck. I have a go-to of Starbuck's Breakfast Blend at the local Shopper's Food Warehouse if I mis-read my bean supply and I don't think of it til after Jamie's is closed.
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