Do you want to enjoy coffee with a flavor that feels right on your tongue? The secret lies in understanding the various coffee roasting levels available.
The coffee roasting level choice determines the coffee beans final color, taste, and aroma development during the brewing process.
One of the three known roasting levels is light and medium roast. Both signify that our coffee beans are not roasted until too brown. The roasting time limit is vague as well.
You may want to know what are the differences between light roast vs medium roast coffee. In this article, we’ll explore both characteristics in terms of flavor, caffeine content, and benefits!
Table of Contents
What Happens When Coffee Is Roasted?
Roasting is the process of heating raw coffee beans to develop the distinctive color, aroma, and taste of the coffee we enjoy. This transformative process enhances the beans natural flavors, creating the rich and diverse profiles found in different types of coffee.
When heated, coffee beans undergo a series of processes: caramelization and the Maillard reaction. This is what gives your cup of coffee its complex flavor!
As the coffee beans, which initially are raw and green in color, undergo the roasting process, they gradually change color. This transformation is accompanied by a reduction in water content, contributing to the development of the beans flavor and aroma.
Three types of roasts can be produced based on the temperature level and duration of roasting. These types include light roast, medium roast, and dark roast.
These three types of roasting levels will affect the level of acidity, the rich flavor of the coffee, and the amount of caffeine in the coffee.
What Is Light Roast Coffee?
Light roast coffee is a coffee bean briefly roasted at a low temperature, generally in the range of 180-205°C.
The resulting coffee beans are light brown or golden from this process. For the taste, light roast coffee generally has a flavor that tends to be sour, fruity, and bright. The texture is also not too thick because the body is light.
The roasting process is short, so the coffee’s oil layer has yet to emerge fully. This causes the original flavor profile of the coffee bean to stand out. The caffeine content is also higher than the dark roast variety.
What Is Medium Roast Coffee?
Meanwhile, medium roast coffee is a coffee bean that roasts at a medium temperature of 210°C-220°C. This process is done a little longer than light roast, so your coffee beans will be medium to slightly dark brown in color.
How about the flavor? This type of coffee offers a balance of sour and sweet flavors. The body is not too thick or watery and has a slightly stronger aroma. You can taste the authentic flavor of the coffee beans because the roasting process is only done for a short time.
Also read: Light Roast vs Dark Roast Coffee: What Makes It Different
The Differences between Light Roast vs Medium Roast Coffee
Both of these coffee beans may come from the same plant. However, the roasting process makes them different regarding flavor, caffeine content, and health benefits offered. Let’s take a look at each one!
1. Taste
Light roast coffee beans generally have a bright flavor and high acidity. It’s common to taste a few notes of fruits or flowers, which characterize the region of origin.
On the other hand, medium roast coffee strikes a balance between sweetness like chocolate or caramel with a slight sourness. The acidity tends to be lower, but the flavor is still smooth when consumed.
2. Caffeine Level
Actually, the relationship between roasting level and caffeine content is a bit counterintuitive. Generally, light roasts tend to have slightly higher caffeine levels compared to darker roasts.
This is because the roasting process reduces the caffeine content in the beans, meaning the longer and hotter the roast, the more caffeine is lost.
3. Health Benefits
Despite the caffeine loss, the short roasting process for light roast coffee results in high antioxidant levels. Regular consumption of this coffee can help protect your body from various free radicals.
Medium roast coffee, with even higher antioxidant content compared to light roasts, offers significant health benefits to its drinkers!
Also read: Luwak Coffee Benefits: Buckle up, This Will Be A Long List!
Other Coffee Roasts
Other than these three coffee roasting levels, several other coffee roasting levels are unique. They also have different flavor and aroma characteristics. Let’s explore a few details about them!
1. French Roast
French roast is a type of coffee that is roasted to a dark roast level. The beans are dark brown, and the surface is coated with oil. As for the flavor, French Roast-style coffee beans tend to be bitter and smoky with a pretty intense aroma.
2. Italian Roast
Just like French Roast, the Italian Roast roasting process is said to be perfect when the coffee beans have a dark brown color with a slight layer of oil on the surface.
For the taste, this coffee has a bold and slightly bitter flavor. The texture is also thick, and the aroma tends to be strong.
3. Continental Roast
What is a continental roast? This term describes coffee roasted very dark, similar to French roast. The flavor is intense and smoky with a slight sharp aftertaste.
4. Espresso Roast
Espresso roast is defined as the type of coffee beans that are roasted for espresso. Usually, this process takes place to produce coffee that is dark brown in color, rich in flavor, thick in texture and has a complex aroma.
5. New Orleans
The last type of coffee is New Orleans roast, roasted coffee beans that are roasted with chicory until the flavor is unique and earthy. The flavor is bold and bittersweet, with a distinctive chicory aroma.
Also read: Medium Roast vs Dark Roast Coffee: Everything You Need To Know
How to Choose Which Coffee Roast is Best for You?
After knowing the difference between light roast vs medium roast coffee, now it’s time to know how to determine the best level of coffee roasting.
You should keep in mind that taste preferences are highly subjective to an individual. Consider these three factors when choosing which coffee roasting level is best for you!
1. Taste Preferences
If you prefer your coffee to taste bright and predominantly acidic, then light roast coffee is for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more balanced flavor with a hint of sweetness, medium roast coffee might be your perfect match.
2. Caffeine Content
If you’re looking for a coffee with a high caffeine content, consider choosing light roast coffee. The shorter roasting process helps retain more caffeine, making light roast coffee a great option if you want that extra boost compared to medium roast.
3. Coffee Drinking Experience
If you’ve just entered the world of specialty coffee, then opt for medium roast coffee. Thanks to its well-balanced flavor, this type of coffee is a good starting point!
Also read: How to Roast Coffee Beans at Home: A Complete Guide
Choose the Roasting Level that Suits Your Taste
That’s all you need to know about light roast vs medium roast coffee. By choosing the roasting level with the above factors, you can get a coffee option with the right taste!
Our advice is to choose light roast coffee if you like your coffee to taste fresh and complex. On the other hand, if you like your coffee balanced and rich, try to enjoy medium roast coffee.
Whatever your taste, use high-quality coffee beans, such as Indonesian beans from FnB Coffee! We provide various coffees with interesting flavors from Arabica and Robusta types.
Still, trying to understand which coffee option suits your taste? Check out our list of best-seller coffee products, or contact the FnB Coffee team to discuss further!
Discover the best coffee experience with quality Indonesian coffee beans from FnB Coffee!
