<p>Sorting done during the processing phase of coffee production (prior to roasting) is done in many places and can produce <a href="https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/264/peaberry-and-coffee-varieties">lots of coffee that look very different, but taste almost exactly the same.</a>  Peaberry beans may be sorted out (mostly by sight from what I understand) and sold as separate lots.  Additionally size may be used and beans can be sorted with screens (slightly more automated) to produce lots that appear more consistent in size.  While these things may affect appearance, they are not thought to affect taste (by most) and so all of these will likely be sold.  However, during these same processes, any truly "bad" beans (moldy, unformed, etc) will probably be removed and discarded.  If buyers see significant amounts of bad beans in a lot, it will be assumed that care was not taken in the processing of the coffee.</p>

<p>I roast at home and the only time I have ever "sorted" is if a bean or two from a previous batch was hidden in my drum and gets BBB'd (burnt beyond belief) in a second roasting process.  Depending on roasting process, there is always a range of time that the beans get to certain points, they don't all hit first crack or second crack at the same time.  If the beans are of sufficient quality and properly sorted after processing (at the source/origin) those ranges will be fairly narrow with not a lot of overlap.  The machine I have now does a fairly good job or mixing the beans during roasting and the roasts I get from it are quite consistent.  If I roast at a lower temperature longer, usually even more so.</p>

<p>To answer your question, the higher the quality of green beans and the better the roast technique, the less the need for sorting (if any).  I can hardly see any reason for sorting beans for size/shape after the roasting process.  Roasted coffee should be stored in opaque packaging, and any efforts to unify appearance would be nullified by proper storage.  If there is so much variation in the roast that it needs sorting for flavor, I would suggest that time might be better spent refining the roasting process for consistency.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T14:16:17.713Z
Thank you for pointing out sorting *before* roasting. I have never really sorted much before roasting, interesting. I'm still wondering about criteria about sorting after the fact...
Eric Platon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T16:32:40.387Z
To clarify, I don't sort before roasting.  That is done for my coffee in some foreign country by people who I imagine do it all day long and are probably much better at it than me.  I find that with the beans I purchase (I consider them very high quality) and the roasting method I use, than no sorting is necessary on my part.  I'll try updating my answer with some additional information.
Suspended User
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T23:05:36.410Z
Thanks for the update. Clear to me. I realize now that roasters who do sort after roasting are perfectionists and peculiar about the look, as well as the taste (of course). I appreciate the perspective you exposed!
Eric Platon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-05T17:15:28.693Z
2015-02-06T16:44:59.553Z
2017-04-13T12:51:53.733Z
Suspended User
<p>It will affect the flavor. Whether that's particularly noticeable depends on the bean, the roast you're going for, and how <em>much</em> variance there is in the roast. Whether it <em>matters</em> to you is a personal decision. </p>

<p>In my experience, over-roasted beans are worth removing from a light roast (I tend to prefer city roast at darkest), even if they're not actually <em>burnt</em> - the flavor of even a few dark beans will tend to overwhelm the more delicate flavors of a lighter roast. </p>

<p>That said, I use a popcorn popper; there tends to be a lot of variation in the results. If you have a better roasting setup, you can probably avoid a lot of the hassle. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T14:22:13.853Z
Thank you. I experienced what you explained. Spot on. I would mark your answer as the one, honestly, but I feel there is more to say. Waiting a bit people's votes and opinions!
Eric Platon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T15:44:46.490Z
@Shog9 You can do a lot with a popcorn popper to even out the roast some.  Have you modified yours very much?
Suspended User
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T17:10:50.350Z
Not much, @Chris - I have plans for a bigger setup that must wait for some other home improvement projects to complete first. I generally don't end up with *too much* variation in the results but I do have to be very careful - usually the first roast for an unfamiliar batch of beans will suffer.
Shog9
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T17:21:03.967Z
I had to wait a bit for the roaster I have now, however, I found for like $20 I could greatly improve the consistency I was getting from my old popper.  I found a 3 -> 4 inch duct adapter and a steel flour sifter garnered a slight increase to capacity and a very notable increase to consistency.  It moves the beans farther away from the heat source (less scorching/longer roast) and gives you a method to stir the beans (sifter handle).
Suspended User
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T01:22:35.267Z
2015-02-06T01:22:35.267Z
Shog9
<p>After roasting, the beans colour is usually uneven. Most of the beans have the desired roast, but some are burnt, and some have visibly lighter colours.</p>

<p>Some people sort every single bean after every roast. It is impressive work and result, but also tedious. I believe that is necessary for the look of the beans in a retail shop. Some other people sort just a little to remove really <em>bad</em> beans (i.e. burnt).</p>

<p>What are criteria / conditions to sort beans?</p>

<p>I wonder about taste: A tiny number of beans with different roast should not impact it, but I lack experience to know.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-30T16:25:50.693Z
Answers are saying yes but I suggest the priority should be on debugging your roasting process to avoid uneven beans in the first place.
gws
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-05T15:05:41.587Z
Are you talking about home roasting in an oven or professional roasting?
Joshua Aslan Smith
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-06T14:08:16.803Z
Both home and professional. Constraints and targets are different, sure.
Eric Platon
<roasting>
Is it necessary to sort beans after roasting?
Eric Platon
# Is it necessary to sort beans after roasting?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-05)

After roasting, the beans colour is usually uneven. Most of the beans have the desired roast, but some are burnt, and some have visibly lighter colours.

Some people sort every single bean after every roast. It is impressive work and result, but also tedious. I believe that is necessary for the look of the beans in a retail shop. Some other people sort just a little to remove really *bad* beans (i.e. burnt).

What are criteria / conditions to sort beans?

I wonder about taste: A tiny number of beans with different roast should not impact it, but I lack experience to know.

**Tags:** roasting

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Are you talking about home roasting in an oven or professional roasting?  
> **username_0**: Both home and professional. Constraints and targets are different, sure.  
> **username_1**: Answers are saying yes but I suggest the priority should be on debugging your roasting process to avoid uneven beans in the first place.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-02-05. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Sorting done during the processing phase of coffee production (prior to roasting) is done in many places and can produce [lots of coffee that look very different, but taste almost exactly the same.](https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/264/peaberry-and-coffee-varieties) Peaberry beans may be sorted out (mostly by sight from what I understand) and sold as separate lots. Additionally size may be used and beans can be sorted with screens (slightly more automated) to produce lots that appear more consistent in size. While these things may affect appearance, they are not thought to affect taste (by most) and so all of these will likely be sold. However, during these same processes, any truly "bad" beans (moldy, unformed, etc) will probably be removed and discarded. If buyers see significant amounts of bad beans in a lot, it will be assumed that care was not taken in the processing of the coffee.

I roast at home and the only time I have ever "sorted" is if a bean or two from a previous batch was hidden in my drum and gets BBB'd (burnt beyond belief) in a second roasting process. Depending on roasting process, there is always a range of time that the beans get to certain points, they don't all hit first crack or second crack at the same time. If the beans are of sufficient quality and properly sorted after processing (at the source/origin) those ranges will be fairly narrow with not a lot of overlap. The machine I have now does a fairly good job or mixing the beans during roasting and the roasts I get from it are quite consistent. If I roast at a lower temperature longer, usually even more so.

To answer your question, the higher the quality of green beans and the better the roast technique, the less the need for sorting (if any). I can hardly see any reason for sorting beans for size/shape after the roasting process. Roasted coffee should be stored in opaque packaging, and any efforts to unify appearance would be nullified by proper storage. If there is so much variation in the roast that it needs sorting for flavor, I would suggest that time might be better spent refining the roasting process for consistency.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you for pointing out sorting *before* roasting. I have never really sorted much before roasting, interesting. I'm still wondering about criteria about sorting after the fact...  
> **username_3**: To clarify, I don't sort before roasting.  That is done for my coffee in some foreign country by people who I imagine do it all day long and are probably much better at it than me.  I find that with the beans I purchase (I consider them very high quality) and the roasting method I use, than no sorting is necessary on my part.  I'll try updating my answer with some additional information.  
> **username_0**: Thanks for the update. Clear to me. I realize now that roasters who do sort after roasting are perfectionists and peculiar about the look, as well as the taste (of course). I appreciate the perspective you exposed!  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-02-06. Score: 7

It will affect the flavor. Whether that's particularly noticeable depends on the bean, the roast you're going for, and how *much* variance there is in the roast. Whether it *matters* to you is a personal decision.

In my experience, over-roasted beans are worth removing from a light roast (I tend to prefer city roast at darkest), even if they're not actually *burnt* - the flavor of even a few dark beans will tend to overwhelm the more delicate flavors of a lighter roast.

That said, I use a popcorn popper; there tends to be a lot of variation in the results. If you have a better roasting setup, you can probably avoid a lot of the hassle.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. I experienced what you explained. Spot on. I would mark your answer as the one, honestly, but I feel there is more to say. Waiting a bit people's votes and opinions!  
> **username_3**: @username_4 You can do a lot with a popcorn popper to even out the roast some.  Have you modified yours very much?  
> **username_4**: Not much, @Chris - I have plans for a bigger setup that must wait for some other home improvement projects to complete first. I generally don't end up with *too much* variation in the results but I do have to be very careful - usually the first roast for an unfamiliar batch of beans will suffer.  
> **username_3**: I had to wait a bit for the roaster I have now, however, I found for like $20 I could greatly improve the consistency I was getting from my old popper.  I found a 3 -> 4 inch duct adapter and a steel flour sifter garnered a slight increase to capacity and a very notable increase to consistency.  It moves the beans farther away from the heat source (less scorching/longer roast) and gives you a method to stir the beans (sifter handle).  

---

