What's The Difference in Coffee Roasts?
These days, there are a myriad of coffee options to choose from, and since coffee is the way many people start their day, it’s important to find one you love. One of the main differentiators between coffee choices is the level of roast the beans go through before being bagged for brewing.
Coffee is made from beans grown on coffee plants, but before they make it to a cup as the warm drink we know and love, they are roasted at a precise temperature for a specific amount of time.
When roasted, the moisture in the fresh beans evaporates and the chemical changes that occur in the beans help bring out and accentuate the different tasting notes.
There are three main roast levels, based on the amount of heat and time applied to the beans, and each roast level has its own characteristics.
Light Roast Coffee
This is the perfect roast for cold brew and iced coffee. It is lighter and brighter, typically with lasting acidity on the palate.
How It’s Roasted
To achieve a light roast, green coffee beans are roasted between 350-400°F. At around 400°F, the beans crack just once and then are cooled.
Taste
Light roast coffee beans are lighter brown in color and often the driest of all the roast types. Their flavor profile is typically floral with hints of bright fruit.
Acidity
This roast is more acidic because the shorter, lower-temperature roasting process preserves more of the bean's natural acids, which are what produce the bright, citrusy flavors.
Medium Roast Coffee
This is one of the most popular roast types in the US, often preferred for its versatility and balance. Our Vivace Medium Roast also happens to be the Segafredo customer favorite and our best seller.
How It’s Roasted
For a medium roast, the beans are heated between 400-430°F. They crack once and begin to start a second crack and then are quickly cooled.
Taste
Medium roast coffee beans are medium brown in color and have a shiny appearance. The longer, deeper roast creates a more toasty and fruity aroma.
Acidity
A medium roast tends to have a smoother, more balanced acidity profile.
Dark Roast Coffee
Dark roasts are for those who want more intense flavor and who prefer more of a chocolate, toasted, darker flavor profile. Dark roast coffee holds up the best in drinks with cream and additives, and it's our preferred roast in coffee cocktails.
How It’s Roasted
To reach a dark roast, the beans are roasted between 430-480°F. The beans crack twice for a proper dark roast.
The longer the beans are roasted, the more they are puffed up, much like popcorn, so the beans are larger in volume and lighter in weight than lighter roasts.
Taste
Dark roast coffee beans are dark brown in color and the oils from the deeper roast give them a glossy shine. The aroma often has notes of caramel, nuts, and cacao, and might be bittersweet.
Acidity
Dark roasts are the least acidic option because the longer roast time helps to break down the acidic compounds. This means for a generally smoother flavor profile.
Note: Caffeine Does Not Vary Greatly With Roasts
Some people assume that darker roasts contain more caffeine because of their more intense flavor profiles. The truth is the longer roast time actually decreases the amount of caffeine by volume ever so slightly. It’s such a small amount that its effect is likely negligible and unnoticeable.
Find Your Perfect Segafredo Roast
Do you know which roast you prefer? Whether you like bright and floral notes or a more robust and smoky profile, we have a coffee you'll love.
We have 4 different options between the three roast profiles to choose from.
Brillante Light Roast: Florals and silky chocolate with hints of citrus
Crescendo Medium Roast: Fresh berries with hints of sweet floral and cocoa
Vivace Medium Roast: Juicy stone fruit with hints of chocolate and sweet nut
Enzo Dark Roast: Smoke with roasted nut and dark chocolate