Is Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans The Same As Everyone Says
Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans
Light roast arabica coffee beans variety coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. Light roasts are an artful balance between artisan roasting, multi-origin blends, and mixing.
The roasting process also burns off some of the natural sugars in the coffee bean, it also produces new sugars. This is why a light roast can be sweeter than its dark roast counterpart.
Light Roast
A light roast is a type of coffee that has been lightly roasted to retain the natural flavors of the beans. As the name suggests, these types of coffees are usually lighter in body than dark roasts and can be consumed with a variety of methods of brewing like drip, french press, pour over, and espresso. Light roasts have brighter and more fruity flavors, and can bring out the unique characteristics of a coffee more than darker roasts.
This is particularly true when working with single-estate or micro-lot coffees. Additionally this level of roasting can help bring out delicate, nuanced flavor profiles which are often omitted in dark roasts. The good news is, regardless of what you prefer every roast level has distinctive and delicious coffees!
Light roasts also have a sharp acidity and a soft taste. They can give you an energy boost without the heavy sensation that is often associated with dark roasts. These coffees are ideal for those who want to start their day with a bit of pep and a fresh taste.
In the case of caffeine, there is some truth to the common belief that a light roast is more caffeine than a darker roast. However, this is a bit confusing because it depends on how you measure your coffee. If you weigh the coffee, a scoop that contains lighter roast will have more caffeine than one with dark roast (because of its larger mass). If you measure by volume, both will have roughly the same amount.
The process of roasting is the primary ingredient in an excellent light roast. It is crucial to select the roaster you can trust. Poorly executed light roasts could have a bitter or burnt flavor, which can overpower other good qualities of the coffee. This is why we prefer to work with small, family-owned roasters who are committed to quality.
Our Extra Mile Kenyan is a perfect example of a well-crafted light roast. It has a soft mouthfeel and sweet flavors of baker's chocolate and stonefruit. In addition, it is made from a sustainable and ethical farm that adheres to sustainable arabica coffee bean farm agriculture practices.
Medium Roast
Sometimes referred to as the Goldilocks roast, medium roast is the "just right" coffee that falls between light and dark roast. Medium roasts have the same diner-style flavor as dark roasts, but they have more nuance and balance. They come with a range of flavors and aromas.
Medium roast arabica coffee beans are roasted for a shorter amount of time and at lower temperatures than dark roasts. The beans are heated to around 385 degrees, and they begin to pop. (This is called the first crack). Beans that are cooked to this point will have a light brown color and won't have any oil on their surface.
This level of roasting keeps the distinctive aroma and taste notes of the original coffee bean. This includes fruity and floral flavors and aromas that are indigenous to the region of origin. Coffee beans that are lightly roasted have a brighter acidity, and an effervescent body.
Depending on the beans you use, medium roasts can be flavored with flavors like chocolate, caramel and even hints of spice. It is important to keep in mind that these flavors will be less intense in a medium roast than in a lighter roast, because the beans have been roast for longer.
Apart from the boldness and richness of coffee that is dark roasted, medium-dark flavored coffee may have a heavy bittersweet taste that can make it unpalatable for some tastes. Dark roast coffee has a rich, oily look and is flavoured with bittersweet chocolate smoke and dark carmel.
If you're looking for a smooth, balanced cup of coffee that's lighter than dark but not as delicate as light roast medium roast arabica coffee is a great option. Our Happy Place blend is created with single-origin coffee beans from high-elevation farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified and practice fully regenerative farming. It is a blend of blackberry, guava and cocoa with a soft end.
No matter the roast level, all kinds of coffee have similar amounts of caffeine. The amount of caffeine found in coffee beans is determined by their natural levels, as well as the amount of oxygen the beans absorb when they are roasted.
Dark Roast
A dark roast is a type of coffee that has been roasted for longer than light roast beans. This gives a more complex flavor profile to be developed. This results in a coffee that has a rich, bold flavor and less acidity than a lighter roast coffee. This type of coffee will suit those who like a strong cup to start the day.
Dark roasted coffee has a distinctive brown color and an oily surface, giving it the distinctive, rich and classic diner style taste. The roasting process used for this type of coffee is what makes it distinct, and it's important to choose a quality coffee that has been roast correctly to get the best experience.
If a coffee has been dark roasted, it needs to be roast until the beans start to crack. This indicates that the coffee beans have been correctly roasted and are ready to be made. Dark roasted coffee should also have a smooth mouthfeel, and a balance of bitter and sweet flavors.
To find the most excellent dark roasted coffee, you must focus on premium beans that are perfectly roasted at the right temperature. This will allow the distinct and exotic qualities of the beans to shine through without being overwhelmed by an over-roasted flavor.
In addition to the roasting level, it is important to look at the source of the beans and the place they were cultivated to select the most desirable dark roasted coffee. Some regions are better in the dark roasting process because of their sweetness, while others have a rich and complex flavor that could match the intensity.
It is important to remember that the darker the roast the more caffeine you'll get in your coffee. This is because the coffee beans that are roasted are exposed to more heat, which releases more caffeine. The darker the roast, the more intense the bitterness.
Washed Coffee
Coffee beans that have been washed have gone through a process referred to as "wet processing." After the process is completed, the cherries are de-pulped and then soaked in water tanks to soften the sticky mucilage that covers them. The beans are then dried and washed to remove any remaining pectin. This is a very popular method among specialty roasters and is an excellent choice for those looking for clean, crisp acidic flavors with medium amounts of sweetness and body.
Based on the length of fermentation and the amount mucilage remains on the seeds, different flavor compounds are produced. These can have earthy, floral, fruity or nutty notes. This is the reason washed coffees can express a lot of the terroir and distinctive varietal characteristics. This is in contrast to natural processed coffees which can develop unique flavors from the pulpy fruit that surrounds the bean.
After the mucilage has been removed and the beans are dried by placing them in large tanks of hot water (as as with the washed method) or spreading the beans on patios, raised beds, or terraces and turning them regularly. The process continues until the seeds have an moisture content of between 10-12%.
Roasting is the final step. When the roasting process begins, the temperature within the bean will rise and cracking sounds are heard. This is the time when vapors begin to penetrate the outer shell of the bean. This is referred to as the first crack.
After this when this happens, the beans are ready for consumption. Light roasts will taste fresh and fruity as they haven't been roasted long enough to allow the oils to develop. Medium roasts are more bready and have a more rich more pronounced flavor, because they've been roasted for a longer time. Darker roasts may have a smoky or chocolaty flavor, based on the roasting level.
All of this makes for an array of tastes and scents and it's your choice to choose the coffee that best suits your preferences! Try a variety of single-origin roasts, including light, medium and darker roasts. Each is distinct in its own way.