Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles
Marlena S.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
— Updated March 03, 2023
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.
27 Comments
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Team FRCIf you love coffee but sometimes get a sour stomach from its acidity, look for dark roast coffees and coffees from the Indo-Pacific region. Darker roasts have less acidity due to the hotter roasting, while coffees from India, Sumatra, Java, Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Flores naturally have a lower acid content due to the soil and climate in the region.
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JLJoy Long
Hi Where can I purchase your coffee. I live on Cape Cod, MA. Is it preground and will it work well in an electric perk. Thanks, Joy
Team FRCHello Cape Cod! You can get our coffee delivered right to your door. Just order online and your coffee will be roasted and shipped right to you!
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LBLinda Bosso
Do you have whole bean organic, decaf espresso? Thank you.
Team FRCYes, yes, and yes. Espresso is a method of preparation, not a roast, though we have a few that we’re partial to for espresso drinks. We’d recommend you try Black Knight Swiss Water Decaf and Ethiopian Sidamo Swiss Water Decaf. Both are organic!
Hello I love coffee but recently I found out I have bad GERD and Acid Reflux and I need a coffee with the least acidity, as not to upset my stomach. Which coffees do you recommend.