Roasts of coffee – A primer

Coffee roasts are determined by their color: light, medium and dark. Although these are not the most accurate terms for describing different roasts, as some coffees are naturally darker in color or lighter than others, they are convenient ways to categorize roasts. When purchasing coffee, you should expect different characteristics from a light roast, a medium roast, and a dark roast.

Light Roasts Retain Much Of the Original Coffee Characteristics

Light roasts have a light brown, tan, color and lack of oil on the roasted beans. They have the greatest acidity and are the lightest of the three roast levels.

The characteristics of different origins are most noticable in light roasts, as are the qualities of the brewed coffee. Much of the taste comes from the original coffee , which is why light roasts are often used for cuppings.

Light roasts are sometimes called Half City, Light City, New England, or Cinnamon roasts.

Medium Roasts Balance Acidity and Body

A medium roast will have a darker color than a light roast and will look richer. Some of the coffee’s oils may show up on the beans, as well.

At this roast level , the coffee’s qualities begin to give way to the roast’s flavors and fragrances, creating a balance between acidity and body. You’ll still be able to taste the original coffee, but this will be complemented with the richer body that is produced by the roasting process.

Medium roasts go by City and American roasts.

Dark Roasts Showcase Bold Bodies and a Richer Taste

Dark roast coffee beans are dark brown, sometimes almost black, in color. They resemble chocolate, if it was shaped like a coffee bean.

Oils can be seen on dark roasted beans.

When drinking a dark roast, you’re almost solely tasting notes from the roast. The flavors of light roasts is replaced with body in dark roasts. Because the original coffee’s characteristics are mostly lost at this roast level, it’s difficult to pick out the distinctions of a certain coffee’s origin.

Historically, dark roasts have been popular in Europe, generating terms including Continental, Italian, French, and Spanish roasts. Espresso roasts are also usually dark roasts, which is partly why espresso can withstand lots of milk and sugar.

Roast level is mostly a personal preference, as each stage produces different grades in the coffee. Knowing whether you prefer light, medium or dark roasts, though, can help you identify new coffees that you might enjoy. You should give each roasting level a try at a local coffee shop or in your own home brewer.

Amazon is a great place to find various beans of coffee roast levels at great prices. This is a great and inexpensive way to find your personal preference at home without going through the expense of going to a coffee shop. While we love the experience cafes provide, it can be embarrasing to try to order a new roast while there is a long line of coffee-addicted people behind you looking for their morning fix.