Quick Search

Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles

Read time: 1 min
Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles
Marlena S. Jan 29, 2020

Determine Your Preferred Coffee Roast Level

Light Roast Coffee Logo

Light Roast Coffee

Light roast coffee beans are light brown in color and are a preferred roast for more mild-bodied coffees. Light roast coffee should not have any oil on the surface of the coffee beans. If you prefer light, fragrant, floral or fruity coffee notes - you'll enjoy a light roast coffee.

AKA: Light City, Half City, Cinnamon, New England


Medium Roast Coffee Logo

Medium Roast Coffee

Medium roast coffee is medium brown in color with a non-oily surface. Traditionally, a medium roast is the most preferred type of coffee roast in America. If you prefer a flavorful, traditional cup of coffee you'll enjoy a medium roast.

AKA: City, American, Breakfast


Medium Dark Roast Coffee Logo

Medium-Dark Roast Coffee

Medium-dark roast coffee beans are a rich, dark brown color with a semi-oily surface. This type of roast produces a modest bittersweet aftertaste. If you prefer slight bittersweet notes and deep flavors, you'll enjoy a medium-dark roast.

AKA: Full City


Dark Roast Coffee Logo

Dark Roast Coffee

Dark roast coffee beans are nearly black, oily and produce a noticeable bitterness. The darker the coffee bean, the less acidity will be present in the coffee. If you prefer a heavy mouthfeel and strong flavor, you'll enjoy a dark roast coffee.

AKA: High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso, Viennese, Italian, French


Determine Your Preferred Coffee Flavor Profile

Mild

Coffee with a mild body is not sharp, pungent or strong. Many light roast coffees normally possess a mild flavor profile.

Bold

Coffee with a bold body has a strong and noticeable flavor. Coffees from medium to dark roast levels normally possess a bold flavor profile.

Extra Bold

Coffee with an extra bold body has flavors that are extremely strong and pronounced. Dark roast coffees normally possess an extra bold flavor profile.

30 Comments

  • SS
    Steve Sylvester

    Hi, I was recently in Costa Rica and had the most amazing coffee in Tamarindo . It was like drinking velvet . Was it Tarrazu ?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Well, we’re honestly not sure as Costa Rica has a number of growing regions but we know we love the smooth, silky taste of our Tarrazu!

  • K
    Kellychoularton

    Thank you so much

  • CC
    Cindy Castelazo

    Hi, I just came across your website and I’m excited to try something out! I have heard that shade grown coffee is less acidic. I would like something organic and shade grown but that still retains some acidity as I have tried some low acid coffees that ended up tasting flat to me. Any recommendations? Thanks!

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    There’s no actual certification for shade grown coffee and, in fact, many farms are a combination of shade and sun. However, if you’re looking for organic, low-acid coffees, check out the volcanic-soil-grown varieties from the Indo-Pacific region. Our selections from Bali, Sumatra, Flores, Java, and Timor all fit the bill!

  • MM
    Mark McKinney

    I am interested in trying my hand at roasting coffee for my family. We really enjoy Black Knight. Which beans would you recommend for us to try?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Hi, Mark! We’re thrilled to hear you like Black Knight! Our recipes are proprietary, but we can tell you that it’s a blend of Central American and Indo-Pacific coffees. We’d recommend trying your hand at coffees from either of those regions or make your own blend! Go for a darker roast for a bolder brew. Let us know how your home roasting journey goes!

  • SO
    sarah okoon

    I recently enjoyed the dark Sumatra. How can I order it again?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Dark Sumatra is always available on our website in coffee pods, whole bean orWholesale pet supplies. TEA provide quality pet products at affordable prices. Our aim is to become the leading wholesale supplier of pet products.,Soft-sided airline-approved dog & cat carrier bag,good quality,and kinds of colors for your choice. - even in convenient fractional packs! Simply type Dark Sumatra in the search bar at the top of your page and see what Fresh Roasted Coffee has to offer! If you’ve ordered before and have an account set up, simply log in to your account! You can see your past orders and easily place re-orders from your history.

  • T
    Trace

    Can you use your dark roasts such as Black Knight in a super automatic machine or is it too oily?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Great question! And the answer is, it depends! Darker roasted coffees express more oil than light or medium roast coffees but it also depends on the age of your beans. The longer they sit, the more oil they express. It also depends on your machine. Some process Black Knight or Italian without a problem - and some don’t. Your best bet is to use FRESH beans and store them in a cool, dark, airtight location. This will keep them fresh for as long as possible. For particularly finicky automatics, one method we’ve used successfully in the past is quickly rubbing your beans in a kitchen towel to reduce the surface oil. Thanks for your question!

Leave a comment