16/09/2013
Type of Roasts
Here are some of the more common roasts from lightest to darkest.
1. Very Light roast – also referred to as a Half-city roast, Cinnamon roast and New England roast. This roast produces a dryer coffee with a lighter flavor. Can sometimes be a bit grainy depending on the bean. The lightest roasts produce a tan or yellow colored bean.
2. Light roasts - also referred to as City roasts and American roasts. These roasts typically produce a well-balanced coffee. The light roast produces a medium brown bean that stops short of bringing the natural oils to the surface.
3. Medium roasts - also referred to as Full City, Vienna roasts and Continental roasts. As the medium roasts move to the darker range, some oils may begin to emerge at the surface.
Dark roasts - also referred to as Italian roasts. The dark roast produces a darker brown bean and brings the bean’s natural oils to the surface. The darker roast adds a caramel or chocolate tone to the flavor.
4. Darkest roasts - also referred to as heavy or French roasts. All hints of the underlying coffee bean’s characteristics generally give way to the heavy, smoky, over roasted result. Even more extreme is the Spanish roast, which is taken almost to the fire threshold, and has a distinct charcoal essence with a burnt and bitter aftertaste.