“Dark roast” coffee simply refers to coffee that is roasted at higher temperatures than so-called “medium” or “light” roasts. The exact distinction between the three classes of coffee is sometimes blurred, and different people might judge the same beans as falling into different categories.
Most coffee producers offer their coffees in some variation of the light, medium, and dark categories. However, they may have personal brand names for these brews, so knowing whether the coffee you are purchasing is light or dark can sometimes be difficult.
Coffee has a long history of use, and what people look for in coffee has varied throughout history. Preferences for dark roast coffees vary by region. While Americans generally prefer lighter roasts, for example, Europeans are better known for their affinity for dark roasts. Espresso is an example of a dark roast.
How is dark roast coffee made?
All coffee beans must be roasted for human consumption. The process involves heating the beans to between 350 -480 degrees typically, depending on how light or dark the producer wants to make the beans. Higher temperatures result in darker beans with different taste than lighter temperatures.
Dark roast Coffee temperature
Dark roasts involve temperature between 465-480 degrees Fahrenheit. This is higher than light roasts, with temperatures of 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does dark roast have more caffeine?
Many coffee drinkers, even seasoned veterans, suffer from the longstanding common misconception that dark roasts have more caffeine than lighter roasts. In reality, dark and light roasts have roughly the same amount of caffeine. When choosing dark or light, the difference is so minimal in terms of caffeine content that it shouldn’t factor into your decision-making process at all.
Is dark roast coffee stronger than medium or light roast?
Depending on what “stronger” means, dark roast could be considered stronger because of its more bitter taste. However, in terms of caffeine content, it does not pack a bigger punch than medium or light roast for waking you up.
Is dark roast coffee less acidic?
Yes, the roasting process reduces the acidity of coffee, so dark roasts are less acidic than lighter roasts. However, the acid levels also depend on the type of coffee, so simply going by roast levels does not weigh all the factors into consideration.
What does dark roast coffee taste like?
Darker roasts are preferred for drinkers who enjoy “chocolate” flavors in their coffee. Dark roasts tend to have a “deeper” taste compared to light roasts. Darker roasts are generally more bitter than lighter roasts.
Common roast names for dark roast
Light roasts are often called “half-city” roasts and dark roasts are referred to as “full-city”. Your local barista might use these common terms instead of “light” or “dark”.
Dark roast coffee vs light roast
Lightly roasted beans are lighter brown in color, have “brighter” and more acidic flavor profiles, and contain no oil on the surface. On the other hand, dark roasted coffee beans are darker, sometimes nearly black, with oil that comes to the surface. Different beans come with different recommendations for roasting level, depending on their characteristics.
Light roasts have come back into fashion lately, embraced by the artisanal coffee community. Many light roast fans believe their method is superior because it preserves as many original qualities of the beans as possible through the process, compared to dark roasts at higher temperatures.
Ultimately, going for dark roast over light is a personal preference. Some people swear by the brunt and straightforward taste of dark-roasted beans, including coffee purists who still practice the art of the espresso as it was originally developed. Experiment with different roasts to find the right fit. After you develop an appreciation for the distinct tastes, you might decide that darker roasts are for you.
