It takes a good 13 to 14 minutes to complete a medium-to-full city roast. There are two stages that punctuate the transformation of the product from green, turgid beans to fully roasted aromatic coffee. The first phase is known as "First Crack." The beans pop and snap much like popcorn in a popper. This is an indication that the bean's structure is succumbing to the heat and has released all of its stored moisture. At this point, the machine's internal temperature is rising to over 360 degrees. The roast now has gathered up momentum. The caramelization of essential oils characterizes the exothermic reaction. The beans are ready for the final stage which is known universally in the industry as "Second Crack." 
The machine now has reached a staggering 400 degrees. Second Crack is the distance. This may sound slightly obtuse; however, I see this phase as a delicate moment where the bean's flavor profile is finalized. I pull the door open and the seething/frenetic beans fall out into the cooling tray. A large circular arm churns the beans over a screen, and the hot air is sucked out through a duct and oxidized.
Finally, after a few minutes, I drop the fresh batch of roasted beans into a bucket. I study the subtle hues and the wonderful matte finish that exemplifies a good, full city roast; it is here that I pause, and feel charged just like the machine. My senses are primed and ready for the roasting week.
About the author: Martyn is the McMenamins Roast Master
Give it up for St. Arnold, the patron saint of brewers! His miracle was a tankard of ale that never ran dry… Put him on the invite list. The Centzon-Totochtin (“Infinite Rabbits”) was an Aztec group that represented the ways humans are affected by intoxication. At the Grand Lodge, the mosaics in the basement hallways were inspired by the work of Spanish artist Antonio Gaudi. McMenamins has a full-time historian on staff. He collects stories, photos, anecdotes and more about McMenamins spots, past and present. What was the very first McMenamins pub, opened by Mike and Brian McMenamin? The Barley Mill on SE Hawthorne in Portland. “Wine is bottled poetry.” -- Robert Louis Stevenson What’s the name of the Kennedy brewery? The Concordia Brewery, named for the surrounding neighborhood. “Wine is bottled poetry.” -- Robert Louis Stevenson How many McMenamins are there in the Seattle area? Three – Mill Creek, Six Arms and Queen Anne. Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII, was said to be able to drink any man under the table. You show ‘em, Betsy! Does each McMenamins pub brew beer? Nope – only our brewpubs and breweries do. They supply our other spots. “Give me a woman who truly loves beer and I will conquer the world.” – Kaiser Wilhelm II Which beer is our best-selling ale? Hammerhead, of course. Have a pint or two today! “We borrowed golf from Scotland as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good.” -- Horace Hutchinson
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Comment on this Posting:
#1 Lynette Dodson
I am just learning to roast! We are looking at creating some "custom" blends that our non-profit Theater group can label and sell at our Holiday show performance.
#2 Scott
How could the coffee be in better hands than this pop genius!?!?
#3 Desiree
I used to work at the frame shop next to the roasting house and all I can say is THANK YOU THANK YOU so much for roasting where you do...I love the smell of roasting coffee bean. YUM!