Different Coffee Roasts and All You Need to Know About Them

Want to know the secret behind the taste and aroma of your coffee? Well, it’s the roast level. Moreover, coffee roast is the process that turns those green fruits from coffee plants into our beloved aromatic, flavorful, dark brown COFFEE BEANS. Moreover, you should know that there are different levels of roasting. And each level unlocks a different kind of flavor profile, caffeine content, and aroma. So, if you are a true coffee lover, you should know about the roast levels. Read till the end to learn about different levels of roasted beans and how they impact the taste of your coffee.

What are the Different Coffee Roast Levels? Your Guide 

There are several roast levels, including light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roast. You should know that roasting is the process that brings out the best aroma and taste of those green coffee beans. Moreover, this is done before the beans are brewed to make your cup of joe.

Did You Know?
Roasting is the heating of coffee beans at high temperatures to turn green coffee beans and give them their classic flavor.

Moreover, coffee roast includes heating the beans to a point when they have no moisture in them. Also, roasted beans are crunchy when bitten. Moreover, you can either brew them as-is or grind them first. Besides, roasting doesn’t just define how your cup of Joe’s taste. In fact, there are a lot of other qualities depending on it. You should know that the coffee roast impacts your beans’:

Coffee lovers can know about the nitty-gritty bit of roast levels but only experts know how to read the roast levels. In fact, they are thoroughly trained for the job. Moreover, they exactly know how a split-second timing can decide the level of roasted coffee beans. Heat it a little more and the whole batch of beans is ruined.

Coffee Tip!

Use your roasted coffee as early as possible before its roast flavor begins to fade away.

At Backyard Brew, we have coffee roasted to perfection and ready to be brewed into a cup of delight. Anyway, let’s get back to talking about what we are here for: different roast levels of coffee beans:

Light Roast

This roast gives the beans a crisp, bright flavor. Besides, they are light brown in color and used to brew mild coffee. You should know that light roast coffees are less bitter and have a fruity, sweet taste to them. And what about the caffeine content? How does light roast impact that? Well, the lighter roasting process preserves the caffeine content in the beans. So, if you are seeking a strong cup of coffee, this roast level may become your favorite. Anyway, here are the different names of light roasts you can find out there:

• Cinnamon
• Scandinavian
• Half City
• Blond

Roast Temperature
For light roast, the internal temperature of coffee beans has to reach 180 - 205°C. This point is called the first crack and beans aren’t roasted beyond it.

Medium Roast

As the name suggests, these beans are medium brown in color. Plus, the roast level creates a perfect balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness. Besides, its well-rounded profile gives off flavors of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. You should know that medium roasts have a moderate caffeine level and are just the best pick for all sorts of coffee blends.  Whether you are into espresso or drip brew, this one is the right roast. Moreover, you can find it by the name:

• City
• American
• Breakfast

Roast Temperature
The beans undergo a roasting temperature of 210 -  220°C or right before the second crack occurs. 

Medium Dark Roast

These beans have a darker brown color and richer flavor as compared to medium or light roasts. Moreover, you can expect to taste deeper notes of chocolate, toffee, and caramel with a subtle smokiness. Some even say that medium roast beans have a slightly spicy taste profile. Besides, it has a fuller body with some amount of oil on the surface - unlike medium or light roast. Whether single-origin coffee or not, this roast is perfect for all sorts of brewing methods, So, if you are a true coffee lover, you are sure to enjoy medium-dark roast coffee. It comes by the names of:

• Full City
• After-Dinner
• Dark-Brown 
• Light French
• North Italian

Roast Temperature
Coffee beans are roasted to a medium dark level beyond the second crack temperature i.e. 225 -  230°C.

Dark Roast

This roast level leads to black-colored beans with a shiny surface because of the oils. If you like some pronounced bitterness in your coffee, this roast is for you. The longer roasting process is what gives these beans their distinct flavor and qualities. Moreover, it makes the beans less acidic with a heavy body. Besides, you can expect an earthy aroma from the brewed coffee. Moreover, the flavor profile includes notes of toasted nuts, and chocolate with some smokiness. Also, this roast is available with several other names including:

• Viennese
• Italian
• French
• High
• Continental
• New Orleans
• European
• Espresso

Roast Temperature
Dark roast temperature for coffee beans ranges from 240 -  250°C. Keep in mind that 250°C is a rare case as it gives beans a charcoal-like flavor profile. 

How to Choose the Right Coffee Roast?

If you have come reading this far, you now know the basics of coffee roasts. You also know that different types of coffee have different roasts in them. But the real question here is: which is the right roast level for you? After the origin of coffee, its roast is what matters the most. This is so because it defines the overall taste of your coffee. So, here we are with some tips for you on how to choose the right roast for your indulgence:

• Check the Taste Profile

This is the easiest way to find your perfect roast. Roasters have usually mentioned the flavor notes on the bag. You can read it and see for yourself; if the flavor description fits how you like your cup of coffee, you can buy it. 

• Consider Your Brew Type

Do you like your coffee with milk and sugar? Or without them? This is also an important factor to consider when picking a coffee roast. If you love adding milk or cream to your cup, you shouldn’t go for light roasts. Instead, choose medium or medium roasts (or even dark ones) for a more pronounced taste. 

• Check the Freshness

No matter what roast you pick for your brews, always make sure that they are fresh. Beans roasted 7 or 10 days before are the freshest. Moreover, make sure that the coffee bags you get are puffy. It is so because the puffiness comes from the carbon dioxide gas the FRESH BEANS release. If the bags are flat, this means the coffee is no longer fresh. 

Conclusion

If you are a true coffee lover, you should know about different roast levels. After all, with each level up the taste of coffee becomes stronger and more nuanced. With options like light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roasts out there, you can easily pick the one that delights your taste buds. If you are a beginner, we have also given some really helpful tips for you. Follow them and you can easily choose the best roast for yourself.