Coffee is as much part of our daily routine as brushing our teeth and the way we choose to enjoy it is as individual as each and every one of us. Be it hot or iced, flavored or black, waking us up at 6 am or pushing us past the 4 pm slump, coffee is arguably the world’s most popular drink. With coffeehouses on every corner serving up a mind-boggling variety of brews, it could be a bit intimidating to make a choice if you don’t know what you’re looking at. But no worries, we’re going to begin by learning the types of roasts and what makes them different. Then you can decide which you prefer.
You may be familiar with terms like light, medium, or dark roast. You may have even tasted a brew from each of these groups. But what makes them that way? Do you know which is the strongest? Which has the most caffeine? You may be surprised to learn that with coffee, looks and tastes may be deceiving!
What is the roasting temperature for light roast coffee?
A common misconception about light roast coffee is that it is weak. Nothing could be further from the truth. The term “light roast” refers to the way the coffee beans themselves are roasted to be turned into the grounds that we all adore. In the case of a light roast, the beans (which start off green) are roasted until they are light brown in color, with no oil on the surface of the bean. They are roasted at around 400°F until the “first crack” happens, which is when the beans pop and expand in size.
What does light roast coffee taste like?
A light roast coffee has an overall toasty grain flavor and a mellow body. An interesting addition to its flavor profile, depending on where the beans originated from, may include hints of fruit or even chocolate.
Many people believe that the darker the roast, the more flavorful the coffee. While the coffee may in fact be stronger-flavored, it doesn’t mean it’s more flavorful. A high-quality light roast actually offers more in the way of true flavor and the flavors vary widely from region to region. For example, beans from Kenya are acidic and sweet with notes of berry while beans from Brazil offer a nutty, chocolate note with low acidity. Ethiopia’s beans are bright and fruity but Columbia’s offer some of everything, depending on where they’re grown. Long-roasting these beans will mask their flavors, hiding the remarkable flavors these countries offer us.
Is light roast coffee more acidic?
Light roast is the most acidic of the trio (light, medium, dark), which lends a bright and dynamic flavor to your brew. And while you may be inclined to liken acidity to bitterness, a light roast is actually the least bitter of the three, especially beans hailing from Central and South America.
Common roast names for light roast category
You may hear a light roast coffee referred to as a Cinnamon roast, Half City roast, Light City roast, or New England roast.
Does light roast coffee have more caffeine?
Another fallacy that runs rampant through the coffee-sipping community is that the darker the roast, the higher the caffeine content. This is just not true and the reason is shockingly simple. Light roast coffee has the highest caffeine content because the beans are roasted for the least amount of time, giving the caffeine less opportunity to escape. See? We told you it was simple! Just note that 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.
Light vs. Medium vs. Dark – The Comparisons
Now that you know all about the light roast, let’s see how it compares to the medium and dark roasts. Medium roasted coffee is, not surprisingly, a medium-brown color and a little more full-bodied than a light roast. Like a light roast, there is no oil present on the bean because a medium roast doesn’t spend much more time roasting than the light. These beans stay in just past the first crack but come out just before the start of the second crack. This extra time gives it a more balanced flavor and acidity. A medium roast will have slightly less caffeine than the light roast but more than the dark.
Dark roast has long had a reputation as the drink-of-choice for the seasoned coffee connoisseur. The stronger the better; the light roast has no place at their table. Could it be that a dark roast could actually taste, well, good? Of course, it can. For many, it is an acquired taste but all three roasts have their own distinct flavor profiles. The beans are roasted until they are the darkest brown or even black and whatever the original flavor of the bean was has been cloaked by a smoky, sometimes even burnt flavor. Dark roasts have a prominent bitterness and you may even see a little oil from the beans in your mug after the coffee has been brewed. They are roasted until the end of the second crack, sometimes longer, which renders the beans thin and gives them a charcoal-like taste. A dark roast is the lowest in terms of both acidity and caffeine.
So, now you should feel totally empowered to walk right up to that barista and order anything on the menu with confidence. No matter your preference, be it light, medium or dark roast, your perfect cup is out there waiting for you and now you know how to decide what it is!
