Different types of coffee roasts (How many types of coffee roasts are there + more information)

I’ll confess: I am not much of a coffee lover. Despite that un-American preference, I still appreciate an occasional excellent cup. That appreciation led me to start digging deep into the world of coffee. While it was initially confusing, I discovered exciting possibilities when I looked into different coffee roasts. In the same way, this changed how I see coffee; it can also change your view, which is why I write this article.

Light roast

Definition and appearance

Light roast coffee beans go through a very short roasting process, resulting in light brown, matte-looking beans. Additionally, because of the short heating time, the coffee bean retains its core characteristics, which include its flavor profile, acidity, and aroma.

These coffee beans will not have a very strong “roast” flavor, as the goal is to enhance their mellow body and wide flavor range and highlight their acidity. The coffee beans are typically heated at temperature ranges of between 350 and 400^OF for less than 10 minutes, with the 385-degree mark being the first “pop” or “crack” of the beans.

Acidity

As a rule, more fruity-tasting coffees are more acidic because of their mouthfeel, or the “sharpness” the coffee leaves in your mouth when you drink it. A fun fact is that higher-altitude coffees will be more acidic since the cooler temperatures they grow in allow them to ripen slower and their flavors to concentrate more.

Due to the shorter roasting process that light roast coffees go through, the beans will retain most of the original coffee cherry’s attributes, including acidity. Therefore, light roast coffees are the most acidic coffee roast, despite their lighter taste and body. The acid levels are not severe either, so they will not affect the taste significantly; in most cases, the pH will be about 6.

Balance

Like acidity, balance is challenging to define in terms of coffee – because different people will have different definitions of what it is. Generally, light roasts are the least balanced coffee type due to their higher acidity levels, but they are not too overpowering.

Versatility

Light roasts are highly versatile since their lighter body, and floral-like flavors lend themselves effortlessly to different drinks. All you need to do is vary the brewing method, the ground extent (whether you want finely-ground beans or coarser ones), and the brewing time.

Caffeine

The difference among the different coffee roasts in caffeine content is negligible. It is essential to know that the longer a coffee bean goes through the roasting process, the less dense it becomes and the bigger its size.

If you measure the caffeine amounts using a volumetric measure (like one tablespoon), the light roast coffee beans are smaller, and more can fit in one tablespoon, so the caffeine content is higher. If you measure the caffeine by weight (such as 100 grams), the mass is more important than the size of the beans, and the caffeine content is the same in both cases.

Best drinks to make using it

While you cannot use a light roast to make espresso, it will work very well for hot black coffee, café au lait, or drinks that incorporate coffee with cream. It also works well for cold brews and iced coffee drinks because these use its flavors to their full advantage.

Medium roast

Definition and appearance

Medium roast coffee is probably the most underappreciated coffee roast, unlike dark and light roasts. However, it offers a new perspective on nuanced coffee thanks to its quirks.

A medium roast coffee goes through a slightly longer heating process of between 10 and 15 minutes at temperatures between 401 and 418^OF. The result is a bean with a medium-brown color and a matte appearance and has a sweet or nutty-tasting and smooth flavor profile. In this way, it combines the dependable dark roast and the experimentation potential of the light roast.

Acidity

Coffee enthusiasts consider medium roasts to have average acidity levels, but the truth is that this is more dependent on where the coffee originates from. That means that higher-elevation coffees, which are more acidic in profile, will retain this characteristic even when they become medium-roast coffees.

Balance

Like acidity, medium-roast coffees have a good balance of flavor and richness without overpowering taste buds. This quality makes them good for people new to coffee or looking to expand their palette.

Versatility

Since medium roast coffees have excellent balance and caffeine levels, they are very versatile like light roast coffee. They can also work well when you want to add depth to lighter drinks or remove the heavy taste of darker flavors since their qualities include a well-rounded acidity and caramel-like sweetness.

Caffeine

Like the other coffee roasts, caffeine amounts are hard to determine in medium roasts, and the differences between them and other roasts are negligible. Instead of measuring the amounts of caffeine in each bean, a better way to determine caffeine levels is the brewing method and the number of beans you have.

Best drinks to make using it

The best way to describe medium roast coffee is comfort. Because of this, they will work excellently in cold brews to bring balance and subtle sweetness. You can also brew them hot and pour them over ice to bring out their fruity characteristics.

Dark roast

Definition and appearance

Contrary to the popular assumption that a dark roast is all about a rubbery taste, an excellent dark roast must maintain balance and quality without tasting burnt or ashy. Dark roast coffee, therefore, goes through the roasting process at temperatures between 465 and 480^OF for around 15 minutes and produces beans that have a shiny surface and a dark brown appearance.

Acidity

It is well-known that dark roast coffee has a very rich aroma and taste, but the lesser known fact is that its acidity levels are not as high as, the lighter roast coffees. This is due to the evaporation of most of its compounds that lead the stomach cells to produce acid.

Balance

In line with the lower acidity levels, dark roast coffee has a dense flavor profile with a smooth texture. Expect a heavy cream-like and caramelized balance to it, and sometimes can taste bitter when it is exposed to too much heat in the roasting process.

Versatility

Dark roast coffee is not as versatile in its flavor profile, but it holds up well to different brewing methods because of its ability to withstand pressure and heat. Its uniformity also makes it work well in espresso, depending on the grind size, freshness, and contact time with the water you use.

Caffeine

Caffeine content differences among all coffee roasts are negligible, although the common assumption is that dark roasts will have slightly lower caffeine than medium and light roasts.

Best drinks to make using it

The classic drink you can make using dark roast coffee is a hot, fresh cup of coffee. However, this is not the only application you can use it for – it works very well in cold brews because of its intensity and smoothness in a better way than iced coffees.

Espresso roast

Definition and appearance

Espresso roasts are very similar to dark roasts in terms of color, with the only difference being that the beans are meant to work optimally in espresso-based drinks. The roasting process can go on longer than a dark roast, as the coffee is roasted into a carbonization state when its notes change into a stronger, smoky flavor.

Acidity

The more time the coffee beans go through roasting, the less acidic they get. Since the espresso roast is quite dark, it is less acidic than light and medium roasts.

Balance

When looking for balance in a coffee roast, you will examine its sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. Espresso roasts, in most cases, are pretty balanced while retaining a strong flavor due to the low acidity and sweetness.

Versatility

Espresso roast coffee is not as versatile as other coffee roasts because its intense and strong flavor. Additionally, this makes it limited in the variety of drinks it can be used in since its roasting level makes it appropriate for strongly-flavored coffee drinks.

Caffeine

The caffeine content in espresso roasts is about the same as in other coffee roasts. This is because the differences are negligible, although the common assumption is that darker roasts like the espresso roast will have less caffeine.

Best drinks to make using it

The espresso roast is quite dark, so it is very strong in flavor and may not suit a hot cup of black coffee – unless you enjoy the taste. If you want to explore some alternatives, you can make iced coffee, cold brews, or espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and mocha.

FAQ SECTION

What coffee roast makes the strongest coffee?

If you want a rich aroma and flavor from your coffee, it is always best to choose espresso or dark roast coffee.

Which roast level is best for lattes?

For a latte, it is best to choose a dark or medium roast because of its low acidity levels, medium to full body, and some prominent undertones.

Which is the bitterest coffee roast?

Dark roast coffee has the highest bitterness levels because of the long roasting process, which increases the concentration of chlorogenic acid lactones responsible for the bitter taste.