Everybody wants their coffee to taste great. We all have different tastes in coffee’s taste. This is largely due to the roasting process of coffee beans.
We are coffee lovers and we were curious to find out what makes our coffee so special. This guide will explain the differences in roast levels and how they affect the taste of coffee.
No products found.
Roasting coffee is an art
This skill is not for everyone. It takes years of practice and extensive experience to master it.
The raw coffee beans prior to roasting are very small and have almost no flavor. They gain flavor and aroma after roasting. When picked, they are often soft and green.
There are many factors that influence how coffee tastes in the end. These are some of the factors:
- The age of coffee beans
- The grind
- Method of processing
- Brewing method
However, the most important factor in the final outcome is the roast level.
Different roast levels of coffee
It is possible to determine the roast level by looking at the color of the coffee beans. It generally ranges between dark. The best method to determine the roast level by looking at the roasting temperature. The most common roasting levels include:
- Light Roast
- Medium Roast
- Medium-Dark Roast
- Dark Roast
No products found.
Light Roasts
light coffees are, as the name implies, lighter in color and mostly light brown. This roast level is used to preserve the flavour and aroma of coffee beans. They are dry and have no oil on their surface. They are roasted for a short time.
They can be heated at temperatures between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It includes Light City and Half City. There is also New England roast, which means that the beans are roasted until the first crack forms.
Medium Roasts
Medium Roasts can retain the flavor and aroma of coffee beans to a certain extent. They lack oil and are very dry. This roast has less caffeine than lighter roasts.
To achieve medium roast levels, heat the coffee beans between 400-430 degrees Fahrenheit. The beans are usually roasted until the first crack is gone and the second crack begins to appear.
Breakfast Roast is a popular choice for this level of roast.
No products found.
Medium-Dark Roasts
Medium-dark roasts beans develop a darker color and start to absorb oil. The beans also have a thicker body than medium and lighter roasts. The coffee is spicy due to the roast.
Beans need to be heated at 435 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve medium-dark roast. Roast the beans until the first crack or middle of the second crack.
They are also known by the Vienna Roast, After-Dinner Roast and Full-City Roast .
Dark Roasts
The roast replaces the original aroma and flavour of the coffee beans. These beans have a dark brown color and an oily surface. They also develop a smoky taste.
The coffee beans must be heated between 465 and 480 degrees Fahrenheit to reach the darkroasted level. Coffee beans are heated to the second crack, sometimes even further.
Some popular names include Italian Roast, French Roast, Continental Roast and Espresso Roast.
No products found.
Coffee beans’ color changes as they get darker
As coffee beans get darker, they lose their original flavor and aroma. As they roast darker, the caffeine content in coffee beans begins to decrease. They also lose their density when compared to lighter roasts. A more roasted coffee bean will weigh less than one that has been roasted less.
The beans also lose acidity as they roast more. Oil starts to appear on the surface from darker roasts.
Here are some tips for choosing the right roast level
Many people can find it confusing to decide between different roast levels. We now know that coffee’s flavor and aroma are heavily affected by the roast level. Here are some tips for choosing the right level of roast.
- The light roast is best for those who prefer a more natural taste and more caffeine.
- You don’t need to be averse to high acidity in your coffee, so choose medium or medium dark roast levels.
- You should choose a darker roast level if you don’t want too much caffeine or you prefer a healthier option.
A few myths about the roast levels
There was once a myth that darker coffees had more caffeine and were stronger. The lightly-roasted coffee was considered weaker than the more robust roasts. This myth is not true nowadays, and light roasted coffee is growing in popularity.
Our Takeaway
Personal preference is the most important factor in deciding which roast level you prefer. People who enjoy more caffeine in their coffee should choose the lighter roasts. Those who prefer less caffeine should opt for the darker roasts. The darker roasts are more bitter, while the lighter roasts are milder.
This guide will clear up all your questions about the different coffee roast levels. The roasting stage also allows us to extract the flavor from the coffee beans, which aids in developing them more effectively.
No products found.