The present invention proposes a method for controlling a roasting process of coffee beans comprises sampling a first batch of coffee beans and a second batch of coffee beans from said coffee beans during roasting(S12; S42); detecting a surface colour of the first batch of coffee beans(S14; S44); grinding the second batch of coffee beans and detecting a powder colour of the second batch of coffee beans after grinding(S16; S46); and controlling the roasting process at least partially based on the detected surface colour of the first batch of coffee beans and the detected powder colour of the second batch of coffee beans(S18; S48). The present invention also provides apparatus using the above described method.