by Timothy Rutt
Be the ultimate coffee snob: don't just grind your beans, roast them yourself.
It doesn't take an expensive roaster to do it, either. Joseph Shuldiner of the Institute of Domestic Technology says that there are still some spots available for this Sunday's class where you'll learn how to roast your own beans on your own stovetop (hint: an old-fashioned stovetop popcorn popper could prove useful!)
The class will be taught by Ian Riley, who currently roasts for LAMILL Coffee in Alhambra. Shuldiner says he met Riley as neighbor in the Millard Canyon cabins, and convinced him to teach the class after a successful home roasting session.
The Institute is yet another offshoot of the Altadena Urban Farmer's Market, where experts in home-made food crafting share their knowledge and experience. Sunday's coffee roasting class runs from 10 AM to noon, and costs $95. It takes place at the Institute's headquarters. i.e. the Zane Grey Estate.
The class includes a beginner's intro to coffee "cupping" (like wine tasting, only caffienated), as well as a session to roast up your own beans in your Whirly-pop roaster. It will finish with a tasting accompanied by baked snacks from master chef Steve Rudicel.
This is just one of the classes being offered at the Institute this fall and winter, including "Foodcrafting Gifts for the Hoidays," "Foodcrafting 101" on Nov. 19, and "Cocktail Crafting" on Dec. 3. "Milkcrafting," i.e. making your own cheese and other milk-based products, will be offered in 2012. For more information or to sign up, go to http://instituteofdomestictechnology.com/
