Not all coffee is the same. You might already be familiar with its different tasting notes, from fruity and floral to nutty and chocolatey. How your coffee tastes is largely due to the roasting process, where beans are not only roasted to become drinkable but also to let its flavor shine. Roasted coffee beans come in different levels of “doneness” (just like steak!). In general, there are three roast levels: light, medium, and dark. And as you might have guessed, it’s indicated by the color of the bean, and the darker the bean, the further along it is in the roasting process. Specialty coffee roasters carefully choose the roasting level depending on what they want to bring out from the beans: Do they want to preserve the nuances and complex flavors of the origin? Or do they want something that’s rich, robust, and fuller in body?
So, which roast fits you best? In this article, we’ll discuss the three roast levels and their characteristics to help you figure out which roasted coffee beans to choose for your next brew.
READ ALSO: Which Brewing Method Is Right for You?
Light Roast
You want: Delicate and complex notes with more acidity
Light roasts are coffee beans pulled after the first crack of the roasting process. It appears dry with a light brown hue, similar to cinnamon. Because of its shorter roasting time, light roasts lack caramelization and often preserve the original flavor of the beans. They will usually have fruity and floral tasting notes, with a bright acidity and lighter body. You might see other light roasts labeled as Light City Roast, New England Roast, or Cinnamon Roast. This roast level shines best as drip or filter coffee, such as a pour-over or AeroPress.
Light roasts in our collection:
Medium Roast
You want: Balanced flavor profile with a smooth body
The medium roast is like a one-size-fits-all. This roast generally fits all types of brews, so if today you’re feeling like an espresso and tomorrow you’re in the mood for an Americano, a medium roast should do the trick. Medium roasts are pulled out between the first and second crack, where caramelization starts to happen and flavors are more developed. What comes out is a more well-rounded flavor profile, and the coffee is not too acidic, not too bold, and has a subtle hint of sweetness. A medium roast can also be called an American Roast, Breakfast Roast, or City Roast.
Medium roasts in our collection:
Dark Roast
You want: A rich and robust brew with a fuller body
On the other end of the spectrum is the dark roast, where roasted coffee beans are pulled out at the end of the second crack. Beans will appear dark brown and shiny from the drawn out oil. Because of the longer roasting process, flavors from the coffee’s country of origin are almost entirely roasted out, resulting in a bold and more intense brew. When you see a dark roast, you can usually expect its flavor profile to have hints of chocolate and lean more on the bitter side. This type of roast level is perfectly suited for milk-based coffee drinks like lattes, where its strong flavors cut through the milk. Dark roasts are also known as the French Roast, Italian Roast, New Orleans Roast, Continental Roast, or Espresso Roast.
Dark roasts in our collection:
What’s next? If you now know which roast level suits you best, try and figure out which preferred brewing method fits your taste and get your morning coffee routine going! Just as important as the roasted coffee beans you use is the grind size, so here’s a Beginner’s Guide To Grinding Specialty Coffee Beans at Home.
