Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans
Light roast arabica coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. Light roasts are a delicate balance between artisan roasting, multi-origin blends, and blending.
The process of roasting creates new sugars while removing some of the natural sugars that are in the coffee bean. This is why a light roast can be sweeter than its dark roast counterpart.
Light Roast
A light roast is a type of coffee that has been lightly roasted to retain the natural flavor of the beans. As the name suggests, these types of coffees are usually lighter in body than dark roasts and can be consumed with a variety of methods of brewing, including drip, french press, pour over, and espresso. Light roasts have brighter and fruitier flavor notes and are able to highlight the distinctive characteristics of a coffee more than darker roasts.
This is particularly true when working with single-estate or micro-lot coffees. In addition this level of roast can aid in bringing out delicate, nuanced flavor profiles that are often lost in dark roasts. The good news is that regardless of your preference every roast level has unique and delicious coffees!
Light roasts are also known for their sharp acidity and smooth body. They are a result of this, the coffees can give you an energy boost without the heaviness that can be associated with dark roasts. This is why they are a great option for those looking to start their day with a bit of extra pep and a clean taste.
When it comes to caffeine, there is some truth to the common belief that a light roast has more caffeine than a dark roast. This is a little misleading because it depends on the way you weigh your coffee. If you weigh your coffee, a scoop of a light roast will have more caffeine than an ounce of a darker roast (because it has more mass). If you weigh by volume, both will contain about the same amount.
The process of roasting is the key to a great light roast. This is why it's essential to select a roaster you trust, since poorly executed light roasts may have a strong burnt, or bitter flavor that can overpower the other qualities that are desirable to the coffee. We love to work with small, family-run roasters that are committed to quality.
Our Extra Mile Kenyan is a perfect example of a well-crafted light roast. It has a silky mouthfeel, and sweet flavors of baker's chocolate and stonefruit. It's also obtained from a sustainable, ethical farm that practices fully sustainable farming.
Medium Roast
Medium roast is often described as the "just-right" coffee because it's the perfect blend of dark and light roast. Medium roasts have the same diner-style taste as dark roasts, but have more balance and nuance. They come with a range of aromas and flavors.
The medium roast arabica beans are roasted at lower temperatures and for a shorter time than darker roasts. The beans are heated up to 385 degrees and then they begin to pop. (This is known as the first crack). Beans that have been roasted to this point will have a light brown hue and won't have any oil on their surface.
Coffee that is roasted at this level preserves many of the original coffee bean's distinctive aroma and taste. This includes floral and fruity aromas and flavors that are indigenous to the region of origin. Lightly roast beans also have a brighter acidity and a more mellow body.
A medium roast could include flavors like chocolate, caramel and hints of spice based on the beans that are used. It's important to remember that these flavors will be less intense in a medium roast than they would be in a lighter roast, because the beans are roasted longer.
Medium-dark flavors can be a bit bittersweet and heavy which makes it difficult for some people's palates. Dark roasted coffee is characterized by its deep oily appearance, and tastes of bittersweet chocolate dark caramel and smoke.
If you are looking for a smooth, balanced cup of coffee, that is lighter than dark, but not as delicate as light roast medium roast, then our medium roast arabica blend is the best option. Our Happy Place blend is created with single-origin coffee beans from farms at high elevations that are Rainforest Alliance Certified and practice completely regenerative farming. It is a blend of blackberry, cocoa and guava, with a smooth finish.
Regardless of the roasting level, all types of coffee contain similar amounts of caffeine. The amount of caffeine found in coffee beans depends on their natural levels as well as the amount of oxygen that the beans absorb when they are roasted.
Dark Roast
A dark roast is a form of coffee that has been roasted for longer than light roast beans. This lets the coffee develop an enticing flavor profile. This results in a coffee that has a rich, bold flavor and less acidity compared to a light-roasted coffee. This kind of coffee is ideal for those who are looking for an intense coffee to kick off their day.
Dark roast coffee is distinguished by its brown color and oily top which gives it a full and classic diner-style flavor. The roasting process used for this type of coffee is what makes it distinct, and it is essential to select a coffee that has been roast properly to enjoy the full flavor.
It is important to roast a dark-roasted coffee until the beans start cracking. This is the first indicator that the beans are properly roasted and that they are ready to be made. Dark roasted coffee should also have a soft mouthfeel, and a balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
To find the best dark-roasted coffee, you must concentrate on high-quality beans that are roasted at just the right temperature. This allows the distinctive and exotic characteristics of the beans to shine through without being overwhelmed by a strong roast flavor.
In addition to the roasting stage, it is important to look at the source of the beans and where they were cultivated to determine the most suitable dark roasted coffee. Certain regions are better for dark-roasted beans because of their sweetness while others have a rich, complex flavor that can match the intensity.
You should also remember that the darker the roast, the more caffeine you'll get in your coffee. This is because the roasted beans are exposed to more heat, which results in more caffeine to be released. Additionally the darker the roast more intense the bitterness will be.
Washed Coffee
The coffee beans that are washed go through a process referred to as "wet processing." After harvesting, the cherries are de-pulped and then soaked in tanks of water to soften the sticky mucilage that covers them. The process is followed by a wash to remove the remaining pectin, drying. This method is very popular among specialty roasters. It's a great option for those who want fresh crisp, acidic, and crisp flavor profile with moderate sweetness and body.
Depending on the length of fermentation and the amount of mucilage is left on seeds, a variety of flavor compounds are created. These may have earthy, floral, fruity or nutty notes. This is the reason washed coffees can show a wide range of characteristics of terroir as well as the typicity of a varietal. whole bean arabica coffee is in contrast to natural processed coffees that can create distinctive flavors due to the pulpy fruit that surrounds the beans.
After the mucilage has been removed the beans are dried either by being soaked in large tanks of water (as in the washed method) or laid out on patios or beds raised in the sun and rotated regularly. This is done until the seeds reach a moisture content between 10-12%.
The final step is roasting. As the roasting happens the temperature inside the bean will rise and a cracking sound will be heard. This is the moment that vapors begin to penetrate the outer wall of the bean. This is known as the first crack.
When this happens after which the beans are now ready to be enjoyed. Light roasts taste fresh and fruity as they haven't been cooked long enough for the oils to develop. Medium roasts will be more bready and have a deeper and richer taste because they have been roasted longer, and darker roasts can be very sweet or even smoky depending on how dark they've been roast.
All of this creates an array of flavors and aromas and it's up to you to find the one that best fits your preferences! Try a variety single-origin roasts like lighter, medium and darker roasts. Each has its own unique flavor.