A Guide To Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans From Start To Finish

Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans Light roast arabica coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. Creating delicious light roasts is a delicate balance of artisan roasting and multi-origin blend. The process of roasting produces new sugars and removes some of the natural sugars that are in the coffee bean. This is why a light roast may have more sweetness than its dark roast counterpart. Light Roast A light roast is a coffee that has been lightly-roasted to preserve the flavor of the beans. As their name suggests are lighter in body and can be enjoyed by using a variety brew methods, including espresso, drip, french presses, and pour-overs. Light roasts have more vibrant and fruitier flavors, and can highlight the distinctive characteristics of a particular coffee more than darker roasts. This is particularly true when working with single-estate or micro-lot coffees. Additionally this level of roast can assist in bringing out subtle flavors that are often missing in dark roasts. The good news is, regardless of your preference, all roast levels offer amazing and unique coffees! Light roasts also have a sharp acidity and a smooth flavor. They are able to provide you with a boost of energy, without the sluggish feeling that comes with dark roasts. These coffees are ideal for those who want to start their day with a bit more energy and a fresh taste. When best brand of arabica coffee beans comes to caffeine, there's a little truth to the common belief that a light roast contains more caffeine than a dark roast. However this can be false, as it is based on the method you use to weigh your coffee. If you weigh the coffee, a scoop that contains a lighter roast will contain more caffeine than one with a darker roast (because of its larger mass). If you measure by volume, both will have about the same amount of caffeine. The roasting process is the key to an excellent light roast. This is why it's essential to select an established roaster because poorly executed light roasts could be characterized by a strong burnt or bitter flavor that can overpower the other good qualities of the coffee. We love to work with small, family-run roasters who are committed to high-quality coffee. Our Extra Mile Kenyan is a perfect example of a well-crafted light roast. It has a soft mouthfeel and sweet notes of stonefruit and baker's chocolat. It's also made from an ethical and sustainable farm that uses sustainable farming. Medium Roast Often described as the Goldilocks roast medium roast is often referred to as the “just right” coffee that is a blend of light and dark roast. Medium roasts share the same flavor of diner as dark roasts, but they have more nuance and balance. They come with a range of flavors and aromas. Medium roast arabica coffee beans are heated for a shorter amount of time and at lower temperatures than dark roasts. The beans reach 385 degrees and begin to pop (this is known as the first crack). Beans that are cooked to this temperature will be light brown in color and will not have any oil on their surface. This level of roasting preserves the unique aroma and taste notes of the original coffee bean. This includes fruity and floral aromas and flavors that are native to the region of origin. Lightly roasted beans also have brighter acidity and a more mellow body. Depending on the beans used a medium roast can have flavors like caramel, chocolate and subtle hints of spice. It's important to note that these flavors will be more muted in a medium roast than in a lighter roast as the beans have been roast for longer. In addition to the richness and intensity of dark roasted coffee medium-dark flavored coffee may have a heavy bittersweet taste that can make it unpalatable for some tastes. Dark roasted coffee is characterized by its deep oily appearance, and the flavors of bittersweet chocolate, smoke and dark caramel. If you're looking for a balanced, smooth cup of coffee, that is lighter than dark roast, but isn't as delicate as light roast medium roast, then our medium-roasted arabica is the perfect option. Our Happy Place blend is made using single-origin beans sourced from farms at high elevations that are Rainforest Alliance certified and practice fully regenerative farming. It has flavors of blackberry, guava, and cocoa, with a soft ending. Regardless of the roasting degree, all varieties of coffee have similar amounts of caffeine. This is due to the fact that the amount of caffeine in beans is dependent on their natural levels and the amount of oxygen that beans absorb when they are roast. Dark Roast A dark roast is a form of coffee that has been roasted for longer than light roasted beans. This gives a more complex flavor profile to be developed. This results in a coffee that has a rich, bold flavor, and less acidity as compared to a light-roasted beans. This kind of coffee is perfect for those who prefer a robust cup to begin their day. Dark roasted coffee is distinguished by its distinct brown color and oily surfaces, which give its distinctive rich and classic diner style taste. This coffee is characterized by the roasting method. It is essential to choose a premium coffee that has been properly roast to obtain the best flavor. It is essential to roast a dark-roasted coffee until the beans begin to crack. This is the first sign that the beans have been properly roasted, and that they are ready to be taken into the cup. Dark-roasted coffee also requires to be able to produce a balanced flavor and mouthfeel. To find the finest dark roasted coffee, you must concentrate on beans of high-quality that have been roasted at just the right temperature. This will allow the distinct and exotic qualities of the beans to shine through without being masked by an over-roasted flavor. In addition to the roasting stage It is also essential to look at the source of the beans as well as where they were cultivated to determine the most suitable dark-roasted coffee. Certain regions are more suited to dark roasted beans because of their sweetness while others have a deep complex flavor that can match the intensity. It is important to remember that the darker the roast the higher amount of caffeine you will find in your coffee. This is because the coffee beans are exposed to more heat, which results in more caffeine to be released. The darker the roast, the more intense the bitterness. Washed Coffee Washed coffee beans are the product of a process called “wet processing”. After removing the cherries, they are pulverized in tanks, and then fermented to soften any sticky mucilage that covers them. The process is followed by a wash to eliminate the remaining pectin, and then drying. This is a very popular method for specialty roasters, and an excellent choice for those looking for clean, crisp and acidic flavor profiles that have moderate amounts of sweetness and body. Different flavor compounds are made according to the duration of the fermentation and the amount of mucilage that is left on the seeds. They can be fruity, earthy, floral or even the nutty note. This is what allows washed coffees to express a lot of characteristics of terroir as well as distinctive varietal characteristics. This is different from natural processed coffees, which can create unique flavors from the pulpy fruit that surrounds the bean. After the mucilage has been removed, the beans can be dried by the beans in large tanks of hot water (as in the wash method) or spreading them on patios, raised beds, or terraces and rotating them frequently. This is done until seeds have an average moisture content of 10-12%. Roasting is the last step. When the roasting process is complete the temperature inside the bean will increase and a cracking sound can be heard, which is the moment when vapors begin to penetrate the outer wall of the bean. This is called the first crack. After this, the roasted beans are ready to enjoy. Light roasts will taste fresh and fruity as they haven't been cooked long enough for the oils to develop. Medium roasts will be more bready, with more of a richer and deeper flavor because they have been roasted longer. Roasts that are darker are often very chocolatey or even smoky depending on how dark they have been roast. All of this makes for an array of flavors and aromas, so it is up to you to find the one that best fits your preferences! We recommend trying a variety of our single-origin light, medium and dark roasts to discover what the unique flavors of each can provide you.