You might just be getting into at-home espresso making, or you might be a veteran, but picking your favourite roast is a barista’s rite of passage, no matter what stage of the journey they’re on.
Coffee is one of those wonderful things in life that you can easily tailor to suit your exact preferences, especially now that beans are so widely available. You’ve got origins, blends, grinds, and now, you’ve got roasts. Interestingly, the roast on your beans will be the biggest determining factor in their final taste. So, while those other factors are important, this is the one you want to nail.
But looking at light roast coffee vs. dark roast, dark roast coffee vs. medium roast, and all the other permutations… It’s enough to give anyone a headache. That’s why we’re making it simple, with this quick and clear guide to light, medium, and dark roast coffee. Jump in to find your match.
What is a ‘coffee roast’ in the first place?
All coffee beans start the same colour: green. They taste like a strange mix between herbal tea and coffee, having been freshly harvested from inside the coffee fruit. That’s right, they’re not even technically beans! Coffee beans are, in fact, seeds.
This is why the roasting process is so important. A careful roast drastically alters the colour, flavour, and texture of coffee ‘seeds’ to produce the beans you are familiar with. The colour of the roast – light, medium, or dark – refers to both the colour of the beans once they are done roasting and the duration of the roast itself.
Light roast beans are roasted for the shortest amount of time, followed by medium roast, and then finally dark roast, which is roasted for the longest. When we compare light roast coffee to dark roast (or dark roast to medium roast), we’re essentially comparing the degree to which heat has altered the original seed.
Light Roast Coffee: Bright, Lively, Daring
Between light roast coffee vs. dark roast, the former keeps most of its original flavour from the beans’ origin. This is because it’s had the least amount of time under the flames of all three roast types. It also means that you can actually taste where the beans originated.
This style of coffee is lighter in body and more acidic compared to the medium and dark varieties, making it a great choice for those who prefer a clean, tea-like cup.
H3: You might love light roast if:
- You want your coffee crisp, fruit, and full of unique flavours.
- You love brewing filtered or pour-over coffee (to preserve those delicate notes).
- You enjoy a “brighter” and more complex taste.
You’ll definitely be dealing with a bit of tang, but if that’s your thing, then light roast is the way to go. Not to mention, the lower roasting time actually preserves some of the natural caffeine in the bean, so these will hit you harder caffeine-wise.
Medium Roast Coffee: Old Faithful
If coffee had a middle child, this would be it. Medium roast coffee is easy-going, adaptable, and popular for a very good reason! It’s the middle of the road, a balanced and versatile taste that makes up most café blends.
When we compare dark roast coffee vs. medium roast, we find a flavour and depth that’s not too sharp, and not too heavy. It’s a great introduction to coffee for those who have never tried it, and an excellent roast for all applications.
You might love medium roast if:
- You’ve ever had a cup of espresso at a café and loved it.
- You love a smooth, rounded flavour with chocolate or caramel high notes.
- You vary between espresso machines, plungers, and filters.
- You change how you drink your coffee regularly (with milk, without, iced, etc.).
This is definitely the kind of cup that fits into every mood and every morning, especially if you come down on the lighter side of the dark roast coffee vs. medium roast debate.
Dark Roast Coffee: Rich and Unapologetic
Finally, let’s tip our hats to dark roast coffee. This one’s for the bold ones, the espresso-cravers, and anyone who gets a kick out of intense flavours.
Dark roast coffee vs. medium roast coffee have drastically different roasting times, with the former staying in the heat until the oils rise to the surface of the bean. This gives them a shiny look and a smoky aroma, which, while stripping away some of the original bean character, adds an undeniably powerful espresso hit.
You might love dark roast if:
- You love dark chocolate or dry red wine.
- You’re craving a deep, intense flavour with less acidity.
- You use an espresso machine or moka pot (anything that produces a robust extraction).
When it comes to light roast coffee vs. dark roast, it’s the latter that provides a comforting and full-bodied flavour. For some, it’s too strong, while for others, that tang on the light roast is just right. For many of us, the medium roast is just the ticket.
Across the board, if there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: always enjoy your beans from a reputable supplier, and enjoy them fresh. A light roast that’s been sitting on a shelf for three months will taste dull and flat, while a freshly-roasted dark blend will be full to bursting with flavour.
So, trust your local New Zealand coffee supplier to bring you only the best.
Find the roast that fits your morning.
Light roast coffee vs. dark roast, or dark roast coffee vs. medium roast; wherever you feel on the roast spectrum, Segafredo Zanetti is here to provide the very best beans. We have full oversight of our coffee production, and we roast locally, so you always know you’re getting fresh and high-quality beans straight to your doorstep.
Find the roast that makes you look forward to that first sip from the Segafredo Zanetti coffee range.
