Did you know that there are hundreds of kinds of coffee? That might not surprise you, but did you know there are also different kinds of roasts? There are hundreds of varieties of coffee and almost as many types of roasts! What’s your favorite coffee roast – dark, light, or somewhere in between?

Coffee results when the roasted seeds or “beans” from a coffee plant are brewed. Coffee plants can be either Arabica or Robusta. Beans from an Arabica plant have a mild flavor, slightly sweet, with a hint of fruit or berry taste. Beans from the Robusta coffee plant have a higher level of caffeine and a more harsh flavor. This bean is used primarily as a filler in coffee blends or to produce budget-friendly coffee.

Coffee lovers have their go-to roast level. By learning about the types of coffees and variations of different coffee roasts, you can decide when to use each. The roast level provides a baseline guide to the taste you can expect.

While the type of bean does have an impact on taste, the roasting process gives coffee much of its flavor and aroma. How long the coffee beans are roasted impacts the body, flavor, and acidity. When the beans are roasted, they transform from green coffee beans to the aromatic brown coffee beans we know and love. The bean’s flavor is impacted by where it was grown, the plant variety, and the roasting method.

The amount of time the beans are roasted affects the color, flavor, and aroma of the coffee when it’s brewed. The color of a coffee bean can help identify the roast levels. Four types of coffee roasts are light roast, medium roast, medium-dark roast, and dark roast. The difference in coffee roasts is in their oil, caffeine, and acidity levels.

Coffee Roasts

The names of the roasts and descriptions vary depending on the brand and type of coffee. The longer coffee beans roast, the darker in color they become, and the more the flavor and aroma change. The longer the beans roast, the less caffeine, and acidity they contain. Here’s a breakdown of coffee roasts explained so you can pick a roast that’s in line with the flavors you enjoy.

Light Roasts

Light roasts are lighter in color, mostly light brown. Light roast coffees have a light body, delicate flavors, and are more acidic. These beans do not have oil on the surface. When the beans are lightly roasted, they retain more of their original flavor than if they are dark roasted. Light roast coffee beans also keep most of the caffeine from the original state of the coffee bean. Some popular categories of light roasts include Cinnamon, Half City, Light City, and New England.

Medium Roasts

Medium roasts have a medium brown color and more body than light roasted beans. When beans are medium roasted, the result is beans with more balanced acidity, aroma, and flavor. For this reason, medium roasted beans are the most popular commercial coffee bean. Around the world, it is known as an American roast because it is the preferred type of coffee in the United States. Some popular roast names for this roast level are American, Breakfast, City, and Regular.

Medium—Dark Roasts

Medium-Dark roasts have a richer, darker color with some oil on the surface of the beans. These roasts have a richer, fuller flavor, more body, and less acidity. Roasts in this category include After-Dinner, Full City, and Vienna.

Dark Roasts

Beans that have been dark roasted are dark brown or almost black. The beans can have an oily surface and a pronounced bold rich body. Dark roasted beans have a strong, sometimes spicy, and smoky flavor. This roast is known for having a bitter taste, but it actually has low acidity. Roast names that fall within this category include Continental, Espresso, European, French, Italian, New Orleans, and Viennese.

People should try all different types and different roasts before they determine their favorite roast level. Lighter roasts have less oil, more caffeine, and a higher level of acidity. Darker roasts are oilier with less of an acidic flavor and lower levels of caffeine.

Storing Coffee

Always store your coffee beans in an airtight container in a dry, dark, cool place. Some may say to store coffee in the freezer, but it is not a good idea. Doing so can create issues with excess humidity, exposure to circulating air, and absorption of other flavors.

Beans should be used two weeks after roasting or two weeks after a seal is broken on a sealed bag. It is best to only buy the quantity of coffee that will be used at your home within two weeks to maintain freshness and flavor.

By understanding the different types of coffee plants and coffee roasts, you can begin to explore coffees and find the one perfect for you. First thing in the morning or accompanying a late-night dessert, coffee will always be a beloved hot beverage.

Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator

Sources:

• www.freshroastedcoffee.com
• knowyourgrinder.com
• www.ncausa.org
• https://www.perfectbrew.com