To gain complete control over the taste of your coffee, roast color makes a huge impact. There are three main flavor profiles and strengths of coffee roasts – light vs. medium vs. dark. While you may be used to picking up any old package of coffee and tossing it into your coffee maker, the color of your beans makes a huge difference in how it ends up tasting. So, if you want to brew up your favorite beverage every morning, you should consider experimenting with different roasts and your taste buds will surely thank you.
Let’s settle the age-old question once and for all: Which tastes better, light vs. medium vs. dark roast coffee?
Light Roast Coffee
Light roast coffee is the most popular out of three options, becoming more and more accessible to the average consumer throughout the last two decades. Compared to medium and dark roasts, these more unrefined beans provide an intense flavor and multiple layers of sweet, tangy, and floral aromatic notes. Because the manufacturing process is quicker, the oils and sugar in light coffee don’t have time to carmelize, leaving you with an unmodified, more acidic brew.
Other benefits of light roast coffee
Light roasts have been shown to provide a high level of antioxidants, specifically, polyphenol chlorogenic acid (CGA), an anti-inflammatory agent that protects against cell damage. Additionally, light roast contains more caffeine when measured by scoop. Depending on your tolerance level, caffeine can help reduce headaches and increase alertness.
Medium Roast Coffee
The perfect middle ground between light and dark – it doesn’t get much more classic than medium roast coffee. This roast level typically makes for the smoothest and most traditional flavor profile, one that’s well balanced. Typically, medium roasts are less acidic and fruity than lighter alternatives, but not quite as rich as a dark roast. Because they’re cooked longer, bright floral flavors are reduced while taking on a bit of smokiness from the roasting process.
Other benefits of medium roast coffee
Like light roast, medium roast contains a high amount of CGA, which gives you a number of health-boosting benefits including lowered cholesterol and improved complexion. Medium roast is a great option for the cold brew method of making coffee, because the longer brewing time heavily enhances the natural flavors, so you don’t want anything too strong on one end of the spectrum or the other.
Dark Roast Coffee
Those who are interested in the roasting process should know the term, “first crack”. This is a sound emitted by the coffee bean once it reaches a certain temperature. Light roasts are removed from the roasting machine immediately after the first crack. Dark roasts, however, are defined by a lengthier roasting process that allows the sugars to caramelize while reducing acidity and caffeine content. They’re left in the roaster until the “second crack” is heard. This leaves the surface of the bean coated in a flavorful oil that isn’t as present on light or medium coffees.
Other benefits of dark roast coffee
Because it contains high levels of antioxidants and vitamins, specifically vitamins B12 and E, dark roast coffee is more effective in reducing body weight, restoring red blood cells, and optimizing glutathione concentrations. In addition to traditional brewing methods, dark roast is the best for espresso-style brewing and French press brewing.
Which Is Best – Light Roast, Medium Roast, Or Dark Roast?
That will depend on your personal tastes – for more acidity and caffeine, reach for a lighter roast. Medium roasts deliver a good in-between option that provides the most traditional coffee taste. Those who prefer a bold, smooth, and smokey flavor profile should choose a dark roast. Now that you know the differences between light roast, medium roast, and dark roast coffee, you’re well on your way to becoming a skilled barista. Experiment with different roasts to find the right flavor profile that excites your senses – best of luck!
Ready for a new roast? Give Inflight Fuel a try today.
Are you searching for a new type of coffee that is flavorful, bold, and offers the perfect caffeine level? Then a bag of Inflight Fuel is the solution. With light, medium, and dark roast beans, sourced from local farms in the Dominican Republic, you get a coffee that tastes great and works hard. No matter what type of roast level you love, you’ll find a tasty option with this high-quality coffee product. So, no matter where life takes you, make sure you’re prepared by picking up a bag of Inflight Fuel.
