Coffee Roasting Terminology

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The terminology used in the coffee roasting process describes the degree of heat exposure, the color of the roasted coffee beans, and the amount of oils that are allowed to break through the surface of the coffee beans.
During the roasting process chemicals and physical properties of the coffee are transformed by heat to produce just the right flavor in the coffee. The roasting of the green coffee beans develops the flavor and produces the individual characteristics of a particular coffee.
The terminology used in describing the varying degrees of coffee roasting include:

 

Light roast coffee

These coffee beans are not roasted long enough for any oils to break through the surface. The light roast coffee beans will be light brown in color and will not be shiny.

 

Medium roast coffee

This degree of coffee roasting is sometimes referred to as the “American Roast.”  As with the light roast coffee, there will be no visible oils on the coffee beans and they will be a medium brown in color. This roast produces a stronger flavor than that of a light roast.

 

Medium-dark roast coffee

These coffee beans will remain in the roaster longer, allowing the oils within the beans to come to the surface. The coffee beans will appear shiny and will be dark brown in color. Coffee brewed with medium-dark roast coffee beans will have a slight bittersweet aftertaste. A medium or medium-dark roast coffee is normally used in brewing regular coffee.

 

Dark roast coffee

There is a good chance of losing subtle and unique flavors in the coffee beans if they are roasted too long. The longer the roasting time, the darker the coffee beans become. Coffee beans that have been dark roasted are usually a shiny black in color, with an oily surface. The dark roast process is normally used in roasting coffee that will be used in brewing espresso.

The individual roasting company designs roasting profiles for each type of coffee roasting. This is why a medium roast from one company may taste differently from a medium roast from another company.

The only difference between a light roast and a dark roast coffee is temperature and time. Oftentimes, a light roast coffee will retain more of the original flavor that has been masked by the longer roasting time.

When choosing a coffee, don’t let the color of the coffee beans be your only deciding factor. It is the quality of the coffee beans and the talent of the roaster that should really matter.

 

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