What’s in your cup? Part 3: Know Your Roast

In your cup, you will typically find one of three types of roast: light, medium, and dark. It's important to understand the different types of roast because each can impact the flavor profile of your beans and ultimately the taste of your coffee! By learning the different roasts, you can understand what you like in your morning cup! 

Light roasts

Description: Light brown in color, this roast is generally preferred for milder coffee varieties. Typically, there is no oil on the surface of the beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oils to break through to the surface.

Flavor Profile: This coffee has a thinner body and a higher concentration  of caffeine and acidity. With this roast you can taste a hint of fruit and herbs.

Medium roasts

Description: This roast is medium brown in color with a stronger flavor and a non-oily surface. It is one of the more popular roasts in the United States.

Flavor Profile: Instead of having delicate flavors, a medium roast has a more balanced flavor, aroma, and acidity. It is truly the perfect balance between dark and light roasts. A good example is a breakfast blend.

Dark roasts

Description: This roast produces shiny black beans with an oily surface and a pronounced bitterness. Dark roast beans have very little acidity and will have a smooth taste. 

Flavor Profile: Caffeine is decreased from light roast to dark roast, so it will have the least amount of caffeine if measured by scoops. As coffee roasts become darker, the original flavor is lost but take more flavor from the roasting process, similar to roasting nuts. The beans lose more moisture, become less dense, and will have a bitter/smoky taste. A good example is French and Italian Roast.