Types of Coffee Roasts & Flavor Profiles
Marlena S.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
— Updated July 05, 2022
Determine Your Preferred Coffee Roast Level
Light Roast:
Light roast coffee beans are light brown in color and are a preferred roast for more mild-bodied coffees. Light roast coffee should not have any oil on the surface of the coffee beans. If you prefer light, fragrant, floral or fruity coffee notes - you'll enjoy a light roast coffee.
AKA: Light City, Half City, Cinnamon, New England
Medium Roast:
Medium roast coffee is medium brown in color with a non-oily surface. Traditionally, a medium roast is the most preferred type of coffee roast in America. If you prefer a flavorful, traditional cup of coffee you'll enjoy a medium roast.
AKA: City, American, Breakfast
Medium-Dark Roast:
Medium-dark roast coffee beans are a rich, dark brown color with a semi-oily surface. This type of roast produces a modest bittersweet aftertaste. If you prefer slight bittersweet notes and deep flavors, you'll enjoy a medium-dark roast.
AKA: Full City
Dark Roast:
Dark roast coffee beans are nearly black, oily and produce a noticeable bitterness. The darker the coffee bean, the less acidity will be present in the coffee. If you prefer a heavy mouthfeel and strong flavor, you'll enjoy a dark roast coffee.
AKA: High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso, Viennese, Italian, French
Determine Your Preferred Coffee Flavor Profile
Mild:
Coffee with a mild body is not sharp, pungent or strong. Many light roast coffees normally possess a mild flavor profile.
Bold:
Coffee with a bold body has a strong and noticeable flavor. Coffees from medium to dark roast levels normally possess a bold flavor profile.
Extra Bold:
Coffee with an extra bold body has flavors that are extremely strong and pronounced. Dark roast coffees normally possess an extra bold flavor profile.
19 Comments
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Team FRCSure do! Check out the unroasted variety packs we have available right now!
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SSSteve Sylvester
Hi, I was recently in Costa Rica and had the most amazing coffee in Tamarindo . It was like drinking velvet . Was it Tarrazu ?
Team FRCWell, we’re honestly not sure as Costa Rica has a number of growing regions but we know we love the smooth, silky taste of our Tarrazu!
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KKellychoularton
Thank you so much
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CCCindy Castelazo
Hi, I just came across your website and I’m excited to try something out! I have heard that shade grown coffee is less acidic. I would like something organic and shade grown but that still retains some acidity as I have tried some low acid coffees that ended up tasting flat to me. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Team FRCThere’s no actual certification for shade grown coffee and, in fact, many farms are a combination of shade and sun. However, if you’re looking for organic, low-acid coffees, check out the volcanic-soil-grown varieties from the Indo-Pacific region. Our selections from Bali, Sumatra, Flores, Java, and Timor all fit the bill!
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MMMark McKinney
I am interested in trying my hand at roasting coffee for my family. We really enjoy Black Knight. Which beans would you recommend for us to try?
Team FRCHi, Mark! We’re thrilled to hear you like Black Knight! Our recipes are proprietary, but we can tell you that it’s a blend of Central American and Indo-Pacific coffees. We’d recommend trying your hand at coffees from either of those regions or make your own blend! Go for a darker roast for a bolder brew. Let us know how your home roasting journey goes!
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SOsarah okoon
I recently enjoyed the dark Sumatra. How can I order it again?
Team FRCDark Sumatra is always available on our website in coffee pods, whole bean or ground coffee - even in convenient fractional packs! Simply type Dark Sumatra in the search bar at the top of your page and see what Fresh Roasted Coffee has to offer! If you’ve ordered before and have an account set up, simply log in to your account! You can see your past orders and easily place re-orders from your history.
We’re planning to start a business in Las Vegas and roasting coffee is one of them. We’re interested on your products. Is there a sampler pack raw coffee beans available for us to try?