Choosing the Perfect Bean

It's enjoyed in cafes, homes, offices, restaurants, you name it. Coffee is one the most popular drinks around the world. And yet, a lot of people know very little about it. Maybe they drink it iced or with milk, but the way the bean itself is roasted can dramatically change the flavor. Let's take a deep dive into some of the most popular roasts, and clear up some coffee misconceptions along the way.

Why We Roast Coffee Beans

Before we get into talking about each roast, let's touch on what roasting actually does for the coffee bean. Raw coffee beans are chewy, green and slightly grassy tasting. If you brewed a cup of coffee with raw beans, it would most likely be a very bitter and unpleasant experience. Roasting rapidly heats the beans to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time, releasing that well-known carmelized flavor and aroma.

Most roasters create specialized names for their roasts, and with very little industry standards, it can be a bit confusing to the consumer. Just remember, coffee roasts can be loosely grouped into four categories: light, medium, medium-dark and dark.

Light Roasts

Light roasts are heated for the shortest amount of time at a fairly low temperature. When the beans start popping, known as "the first crack," that signals the end of the roast. Light roasts have delicate, complex flavors with a citrusy flair. The best light roasts will have a bright flavor with subtle sweetness. Coffee categorized as light roast might include: Blonde, Cinnamon, Half City and New England.

Myth: The darker the coffee, the higher the caffeine content.

In actuality, light roasts contain slightly more caffeine by volume and are also the most acidic.

Medium Roasts

Medium roasts are heated longer than light roasts but not quite as long as dark roasts. At this point, coffee beans are just developing their rich brown color but oils haven't yet risen to the surface. This roast is the most popular among consumers because it's well rounded without being too bold or smoky. Coffee catergorized as medium roast might include: American, City, Full City and Breakfast blends.

Medium-Dark Roasts

This is where the coffee beans experience their "second crack." Roasters must carefully monitor the beans so as not to burn them. The beans develop a light oil sheen as temperatures release more flavor. The taste profile is rich, full bodied and slightly smoky. Coffee categorized as medium-dark roast might include: Continental, Espresso, New Orleans and High blends.

Myth: Espresso has more caffeine than a cup of coffee.

Because a typical serving of espresso is so small, it contains less caffeine than the average cup of coffee. Although espresso roast is a darker roast, the term "espresso" actually refers to the brewing method, not the bean itself.

Dark Roasts

This is the far end of the roasting spectrum. Beans that have been roasted this long have a dark, almost black appearance with a noticeable oily sheen. Dark roasts tend to be heavy, slightly bitter and intense. Because these roasts take on such smoky, even slightly burnt profiles, the origin of the beans is less important than lighter roasts. Coffee categorized as dark roast might include: Vienna, French or Italian blends.

You may have noticed that I didn't mention popular names like Colombian, Sumatran or Ethiopian. These names refer to the origin of the beans and, while beans of different areas have distinct profiles, the roast style is much more important to determining the flavor.

Other Considerations

While the roast profile will greatly affect the flavor of your coffee, there are other aspects to take into consideration. Brewing methods can change the acidity and caffeine content of your brew. The grind size can also affect taste. If you love coffee as much as the average American, it may be worth your while to do a bit of experimentation to brighten up your cup of morning joe.

Our coffee beans, sourced through The Water Witch Foundation, come whole bean in a range of roasts. Now with the help of our newly acquired, classic A&P coffee grinder, you can grind your beans fresh in store!