Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles

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Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles
Marlena S. Jan 29, 2020

Determine Your Preferred Coffee Roast Level

Light Roast Coffee Logo

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 Coffee Logo

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 Coffee Logo

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 Coffee Logo

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

  • DS
    Debby Spence

    Do you sell decaf?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Yup - and lots of it! All our decaf selections can be found HERE.

  • MC
    Marcelo de Campos

    Em qual estado e cidade são torrados os cafés?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Todos os nossos cafés são torrados em Sunbury, Pensilvânia. (All our coffees are roasted in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.)

  • FJ
    Frederick Jamison

    Do you sell green beans for my home roaster?

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    Team FRC

    Of course! And a great place to start is our unroasted Home Roaster’s Starter Kits!

  • D
    De

    Can this be purchased in a store?

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    Team FRC

    Great question! And the answer is no - not yet, at least. To get Fresh Roasted Coffee it’s gotta be fresh roasted - as every single order from us is! And if it’s sitting on a shelf in a store or in a warehouse, it’s...well, you get the idea. However, we’re working on some new technology in packaging, sealing, and nitrogen-flushing (because oxygen is what makes your beans go stale) in order to keep your coffee fresher longer. Once that happens, don’t be surprised to see us.

  • B
    brigitte

    which of your coffees have the highest antioxidant content?

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    Team FRC

    We do not lab test any of our coffees for antioxidants. However, generally speaking, studies have shown that coffees roasted to medium have the highest degree of antioxidant activity.

  • LR
    Lexi Royal

    Hey there! Trying all of your different options it feels like and I haven’t been disappointed by one! The two that stuck out to me were the French Roast and the Drago. I’ve used them for drip and cold brew. I just purchased an automatic espresso machine and was wondering if there were options similar to these two that weren’t as oily? Much love, Lexi!

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    The grinders in automatic machines can be fussy particularly with dark roasted coffees which tend to express oil more quickly than lighter roasts. ALL roasted coffee beans can express oil in time, but the darker ones do it much faster. Check out medium roasts like Tiger Nebula and Dark Nebula - both of which were blended to make stellar espresso!

    If you can’t live without your dark roasts, try rolling your beans in a kitchen towel just prior to putting them in your machine. This takes the surface oil off the beans and helps prevent clogging in the grinder.

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