If you operate a cafe, you'll know that having a well-rounded coffee drink menu is essential to the success of your business. With over 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drinking at least one cup every day, the quality and roast color of your coffee and espresso beans can mean the difference between a great cup of coffee and a disappointment for your customers. Familiarize yourself with the different types of coffee roasts so you can make the best supply choices for your coffee shop or diversify your coffee roasting business offerings.
Coffee roasting is a heating process that brings out the aroma and flavor locked inside a green coffee seed, which has a mild, grassy taste on its own, and turns the beans brown. A coffee bean starts acidic, but the longer it is roasted, the more smoky and bitter it becomes. The flavor profile of a bean's roast level will depend on the varietal and geographic location of that bean as well as the roasting method.
Light roast coffee beans are light brown in color and have a mild acid flavor. Because of its low roast time and temperature, the internal oils aren't extracted and the bean retains its naturally high caffeine levels. Only heating up to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, the coffee bean is cooled just as it reaches "first crack" when the vapors crack through the hard surface of the seed with a loud popping noise. You'll commonly see light roast coffee listed as light city, half city, or cinnamon roast.
Color:
Light brownOil on Surface:
NoFlavor Profile:
Toasted grain with pronounced acidityAmount of Caffeine per Scoop:
HighInternal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak:
Approx. 400°FLight Roast Alternative Names:
Light City, Half City, CinnamonMedium roast coffee is considered one of the more approachable coffee styles because of its slightly sweet, slightly acidic, well-balanced flavor. The beans are roasted to 420 degrees Fahrenheit and removed from the heat just after the "first crack" but before the second. This non-oily roast is preferred in the United States, often earning it the name of "American roast".
Color: Brown
Oil on Surface: No
Flavor Profile: Balanced flavor, aroma, and acidity
Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Medium
Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 420°F
Medium Roast Alternative Names: Regular Roast, Breakfast Roast, American Roast, City Roast
Dark roast coffee is made for dark brown coffee beans that have been roasted to 445 degrees Fahrenheit and typically reach the second crack. The internal oils of the seed rise to the surface and the bean takes on a full-bodied, almost spiced flavor. The original characteristics of the bean will be roasted out at this point but its low acidity makes it a favorite as a base for coffee drinks with additional flavoring syrups, pairing well with chocolate and caramel.
Color: Dark Brown
Oil on Surface: Some
Flavor Profile: Heavy, full body flavor with small taste of spice
Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Low
Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 445°F
Dark Roast Alternative Names: Full City, Vienna Roast
Extra dark roast coffee beans are heated to approximately 475 degrees Fahrenheit until the beans are nearly black. They are quite oily and have a bold smoky and bitter flavor caused by the Maillard reaction. The strong flavor of this roast is excellent for espresso-type coffee drinks without the full intensity of caffeine that espresso typically delivers. It is also used for making cold brew coffees as a robust morning pick-me-up.
Color: Black
Oil on Surface: Yes
Flavor Profile: Bitter, smoky, or burnt taste
Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Very low
Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 475°F
Extra Dark Roast Alternative Names: Continental Roast, French Roast, Italian Roast, Espresso Roast
Help your employees brush up on the different types of coffee roasts by adding our printable coffee roasts chart to your coffee station.
There are two basic types of coffee bean species that are grown commercially throughout the world: Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta, which differ due to their growing environments, overall flavor, and price. There are also two less common types of coffee beans, Liberica and Excelsa coffee beans, but they make up only about 2% of the world's coffee supply and are not often used for cafe menus. It's helpful to understand the difference between these types of coffee beans when choosing your coffee since their tastes can vary significantly.
Arabica beans make up 60% of the world's coffee supply. When roasted, Arabica beans provide a sweet, yet soft taste with low acidity levels. These types of coffee beans need a cool, subtropical climate where sun, rich soil, and moisture are present, typically at a high elevation. Since Arabica beans are difficult to grow and cultivate, they are more expensive compared to Robusta beans and have a higher cost of production. Most Arabica beans are grown in Africa and Latin America.
What Does Arabica Coffee Taste Like?
Arabica coffee has a smooth and balanced flavor, with a hint of sweetness. Depending on the growing region, Arabica beans may have an earthy or floral flavor.
Robusta coffee is considered the inferior choice compared to Arabica since it yields a strong, bitter, and harsh taste when roasted. Robusta beans contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica, which makes them less vulnerable to diseases and pests since caffeine acts as a natural insecticide in the plant. Primarily grown in Africa and Indonesia, Robusta beans can also stand up to harsher growing environments and lower altitudes, making them cheaper to produce and sell. Due to its low cost, most instant and ground coffee blends sold in grocery stores are made from Robusta beans.
What Does Robusta Coffee Taste Like?
Coffee made from Robusta beans tends to be on the bitter side with a strong smell and harsh flavor. There is also usually an earthy and spiced flavor that lends well to dark roasts.
In addition to choosing which roasts you will serve customers, it is also important to decide whether you will purchase whole bean coffee or pre-ground coffee. The frequency of your coffee service, time availability, and access to proper coffee equipment will all affect your decision.
Purchasing whole bean coffee is an excellent choice for operators looking to improve their coffee service. It is best to use when brewing with an espresso machine, pourover, or French press.
Pre-ground coffee is a convenient, time-saving choice for high-volume operators using drip brewers in their establishments.
To preserve the flavor of your unused coffee, store in an airtight container at room temperature away from light, heat, and moisture.
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