Five Types Of Coffee Roasts Explained

Always wanted to know more about the different types of coffee roasts? Here’s some information to help you better appreciate your coffee.

Light Roast

Light roast coffee beans are only roasted for a short duration. As such, they are light brown in color and less oily on the surface. They are more acidic, have higher amounts of caffeine and have a weaker aroma. If you’re someone who prefers to have a mild coffee with fruity flavors, a light roast is perfect for you. Its fruity nature is also well-loved by cold brew lovers. The cold brewing process reduces the amount of acidity. So if you have a weaker stomach, this might be easier to consume.

There are many different names associated with light roasts. Common ones include cinnamon, light city, white coffee, and New England.

Medium Roast

As you’ve probably guessed from the name, medium roasted coffee beans are medium brown in color. They are roasted for a longer period at a higher temperature. Though they appear darker than light roast, it’s unlikely that they’ll produce an oily surface. Medium roast beans have a better balance in terms of acidity, aroma, and flavor. They have a nutty and chocolaty flavor. Common names for medium roast are regular, city, breakfast, and American.

Medium-Dark Roast

If you want to enjoy a richer taste in your coffee, opt for a medium-dark roast. These coffee beans have a darker color and slightly oily surface as they are roasted longer. They have lower acidity and a stronger aroma.

Medium-dark roast offers bold flavors and leaves you with a bittersweet aftertaste. Flavor notes include dark roasted almonds and dark chocolate. Brewing your coffee with a French press? Use a coarse grind to ensure your coffee doesn’t become too bitter. The common names for medium-dark roast include light espresso, full city, after dinner, and continental.

Dark Roast

If you love a good cup of strong coffee, a dark roast would be your favorite. Dark roast is roasted for the longest time out of all the other roasts. That’s why the beans are dark chocolate or black in color and produce an oily surface. They have an extra bold flavor and often come with a bitter taste. Experimenting with a dark roast in your kitchen? You might want to try a medium-coarse to coarse grind. Common names associated with dark roast are expression, dark, European, Italian, and New Orleans.

White Roast

White roast coffee beans are very lightly roasted at a low temperature. The beans are whitish in color and contain higher amounts of caffeine. They produce a nutty and sweet flavor that tastes differently from most traditional coffee.