The different types of coffee roasts explained

The Different Types of Coffee Roasts

There are many different types of coffee beans available, each with its own unique flavour, aroma, and characteristics. The most common are below:

1. Arabica: Arabica is the most popular coffee bean and accounts for around 60% of the world's coffee production. It is known for its delicate flavour profile and low acidity, with notes of fruit, berries, and chocolate and are best suited to light roasts. 
2. Robusta: Robusta is the second most popular coffee bean and is known for its high caffeine content and strong flavour profile. It has a higher acidity than Arabica, with notes of earthy, woody, and bitter flavours best suited to a dark roast. 
3. Liberica: Liberica is a rare and unique coffee bean, accounting for less than 2% of the world's coffee production. It has a strong and smoky flavour profile with notes of floral, fruity, and woody flavours best suited to a light or medium roast.
4. Excelsa: Excelsa is another rare coffee bean, accounting for less than 1% of the world's coffee production. It has a complex and unique flavour profile, with notes of tart, fruity flavours.

In this blog, we’re going to explore the different types of coffee roast, their flavour profiles, and which drinks they are best suited for so you’re completely knowledgeable for your next coffee choice.

What drinks is light roast coffee best for?

Light roast coffee is best suited for drip coffee, pour-over, and delicious cold brew, as well as for single-origin coffee. The light roast allows the natural flavours of the coffee to shine through, making it perfect for coffee lovers who want to taste the unique characteristics of different coffee beans. Light roast coffee also has a high acidity level, which makes it perfect for those tasty iced coffees and cold brews, as the acidity can help cut through the milk or cream that is added.

Flavour and aromas of light roast coffee

Light roast coffee has a typically bright, clean, and crisp flavour with a hint of acidity that is not too overpowering. The flavour and aroma profile can vary depending on the type of coffee bean used, but in general you’ll find that a light roast coffee has a fruity, floral, and often nutty taste. 

How is light roast coffee roasted?

Light roast coffee is roasted for the shortest amount of time, usually around 5-7 minutes. During this time, the beans are heated at a temperature of around 180°C to 205°C. The shorter roasting time allows the natural flavours and characteristics of the coffee bean to be preserved, resulting in a bright and almost fruity profile. 

Flavour and aromas of medium roast

Medium roast coffee has a well-balanced flavour profile that is less acidic than light roast coffee but still has some of its fruity and bright characteristics. A medium roast has a more rounded and full-bodied taste, with a smooth and slightly sweet finish. The flavour profile can vary depending on the type of coffee bean used, but it typically has a nutty, chocolaty, and caramel-like taste.

The aroma of medium roast coffee is more complex and intense than light roast coffee, with a slightly sweet and nutty fragrance escaping the beans. It can also have hints of chocolate, caramel, and even toasted bread. The aroma can sometimes be compared to freshly baked goods, making it a popular choice for breakfast coffee!

Best drinks for medium roast coffee

Medium roast coffee is versatile and can be used in a variety of drinks, including drip coffee, pour-over, espresso, and a traditional French press. It is perfect for coffee lovers who want a more balanced and full-bodied taste than light roast coffee but don't want the intense and bold flavour of a dark roast coffee. Medium roast coffee is also a popular choice for making coffee-based beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.

How is medium roast coffee made?

Medium roast coffee is roasted for around 9-11 minutes at a temperature of around 210°C to 220°C. During the roasting process, the coffee beans expand and release their moisture. The longer roasting time causes the coffee to develop a richer flavour than light roast coffee, resulting in a medium brown colour with a somewhat oily surface.

Flavour profile of medium/dark roast coffee

Medium/dark roast coffee has a bold and powerful flavour profile with a slightly bitter taste. It has a deep and complex taste, with a slightly smoky hint that is reminiscent of toasted nuts or bitter, dark chocolate. The flavour profile can vary depending on the type of coffee bean used, but it typically has an intense taste that is less acidic than medium roast coffee.

The aroma of medium/dark roast coffee is similarly bold and intense, with a slightly sweet and smoky fragrance. It can also have hints of caramel, chocolate, and toasted nuts, which give it a complex and deep aroma. 

Best drinks for medium/dark roast 

Medium/dark roast coffee is best suited for making espresso-based drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and the traditional Americano. It is also a popular choice for drip coffee and French press, especially for coffee lovers who prefer a strong and bold coffee flavour. It is not recommended for pour-over coffee because the intense flavour can overpower the delicate taste. 

How is medium/dark roast coffee made?

Medium/dark roast coffee is roasted for around 12-13 minutes at a temperature of between 225°C to 230°C. During the roasting process, the coffee beans expand which give the coffee its characteristic flavours and aroma. The longer roasting time causes the coffee to develop a more intense and bold flavour than medium roast coffee, resulting in a dark brown colour.

Flavour profile of dark roast coffee

Dark roast coffee has a bold and strong flavour profile with a distinctive smoky and bitter taste. The longer roasting time causes the coffee beans to lose their acidity and develop a more intense and bitter flavour. The flavour profile can vary depending on the type of coffee bean used, but it typically has a full-bodied, earthy taste with notes of chocolate, caramel, and even tobacco in some roasts.

Best drinks for dark roast coffee

Dark roast coffee is well suited to making espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, and French press. It is not recommended for pour-over coffee, however, because the bold and intense flavour can overpower the delicate coffee taste. The strong and smoky flavour of dark roast coffee can also be used as a flavouring agent in baking or cooking, adding a rich and bold taste to dishes such as chocolate cake or beef stew, or even bolognese sauce.

How is dark roast coffee made?

Dark roast coffee is roasted for around 14-15 minutes at a temperature of between 240°C to 250°C. During the roasting process, the coffee beans expand and release their moisture and oils. The longer roasting time causes the coffee to develop a smoky, rich, and often bitter flavour, resulting in a very dark brown colour and oily surface.

We hope this was helpful for when choosing your next cup of coffee, how to roast it and how best to enjoy it. You can browse our range of coffee here for an exceptional cup of coffee every time.