Roasting Levels Explained
Coffee Roasting Levels refer to the degree to which coffee beans are roasted, and they can greatly affect the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
Typically, we categorize these levels as Light Roast, Medium Roast, & Dark Roast.
Light Roast
Light roast coffee is roasted for a shorter amount of time, typically until just after the first crack. It has a light brown color, and the surface will usually be uneven. The coffee will have a more acidic, fruity flavor with a subtle aroma of toasted grain.
Medium Roast
Medium roast coffee is roasted for a slightly longer time than light roast, and is roasted until just before the second crack. It has a medium brown color and the coffee beans will have reached an even and smoothed surface. The coffee will have a balanced flavor, with a slight acidity and a caramel or chocolate aroma.
Dark Roast
Dark roast coffee is roasted for a longer time, typically until after the second crack. It has a very dark brown or black color and a strong, bitter flavor, with notes of dark chocolate or burnt caramel and a smoky aroma. The beans will have an oily sheen, as the oils within the bean will be extracted at these higher temperatures.
Beyond dark roast is when French Roast and Italian Roasts are reached. These coffees will have a lower caffeine content and acidity level due to their roast levels.
Which is the Best?
As a small roaster, we purchase specialty coffee beans, and roast each one to an individual roast level based on the bean's characteristics. Additionally, we roast based on what our team believes tastes the best, because we love great coffee! Everyone has a different pallet, and if you prefer your beans darker or lighter than we do, we are always happy to custom roast a batch of coffee for you to meet your specific tastes.