Roasting affects the aroma, appearance, and flavour is the easiest answer to “how does roasting affect the flavour of coffee beans?”. But the real answer is more complex.
And we love diving deeper into the different aspects of how different roast levels affect flavour. Here, we’ll explore the roasting process, light vs. medium vs. dark roasts, and what flavours to expect at each roast level.
Quick Summary
- Coffee roasting is the final stage of turning dried, raw green coffee beans into a ready-to-brew bean
- Light roast coffee is generally only roasted to around first crack and results in vibrant, lively flavours
- Medium roast coffee is known for its balanced smoothness and can include a range of flavours
- Dark roast coffee consists of beans that are roasted at higher temperatures for longer, resulting in bolder, richer, more robust flavour density
- Light roast coffee is excellent for coffee lovers seeking a lively flavour journey and as much of the original bean characteristics as possible
- Medium roast coffee is versatile, balanced, and great if you are just beginning your journey into becoming as coffee-obsessed as we are
- Dark roast coffee is ideal if you prefer full-bodied, bold flavours and subtle hints of nuttiness, smokiness, or chocolate
- Your ideal roast will depend on your preferred brewing method and flavour preferences
What Is the Coffee Roasting Process?
Roasting is the final stage in making coffee beans ready for brewing. The process involves heating the beans at specified temperatures for a certain period of time. The roasting process makes the beans soluble and ready to brew.
Prior to roasting, raw coffee beans are almost flavourless, greenish in hue, and have a subtle aroma of grass. Not very appealing! The heat of the roasting process unlocks the bean’s flavours, oils, and aromas.
How Does Roasting Affect the Flavour of Coffee Beans?
How coffee beans are roasted has a dramatic effect on the flavour, appearance, and aroma of the beans. The same coffee bean will taste entirely different depending on the roasting time and temperature.
Light, medium, or dark roast refers to the roast level. Light is roasted for the shortest time at lower temperatures. Medium, as the name implies, is roasted in between light and dark roasts. Dark roasts are roasted at higher temperatures for longer.
These differences in roast time and temperatures drastically affect the bean’s final flavour, aroma, and appearance. Understanding the roast differences is key to finding your preferred roast degree.
Light Roast Coffee Beans
- What Is Light Roast?: Shortest roast time that generally stops just after the first bean crack; preserves more of the original characteristics and aromas of the raw beans; maximum flavour profile and clarity; no oil on the bean’s surface
- Light Roast Flavours: Contains more perceived acidity that makes the flavour livelier and more complex; often described as crisp, vibrant, nuanced with hints of citrus, berries, fruits, or floral flavours
- Best for: If you want your coffee bright and unique with lively flavours and high clarity; a chance to enjoy more complex tastes and flavour notes; retaining the most characteristics of the raw beans
- Learn More: Go deeper into the light roast process and how it affects bean flavour in our guide here: What Is Light Roast Coffee?
Browse our delicious range of light roast coffee beans
Medium Roast
- What Is Medium Roast: Medium roast coffee is well-rounded and balanced; minimal oils on the bean’s surface; generally roasted until between the first and second crack in the beans.
- Medium Roast Flavours: Often deemed the ‘best of both worlds’ for its balanced mix of mellow flavours; notes of caramel, chocolate, and subtle hints of fruit or citrus; medium acidity
- Best for: Coffee drinkers who enjoy a balanced and even cup of coffee that is versatile and smooth; coffee enthusiasts who want a hint of surprise flavours in each cup; coffee newbies who aren’t sure where to start and need an approachable, smooth flavour
- Learn More: Our guide to medium roast coffee delves deeper into flavour notes, characteristics, and the roasting process: What Is Medium Roast Coffee?
Browse our roasted-to-perfection medium roast coffee beans.
Dark Roast
- What Is Dark Roast: Roasted for longer and at higher temps; brings oils in the beans to the surface, resulting in a shiny, oily, deep brown appearance
- Dark Roast Flavours: Deep, bold, rich, nutty, chocolatey, intense, robust, straightforward, predictable
- Best for: We recommend dark roasts if you prefer rich, toasted, smoky flavours and a bolder, more intense cup of coffee.
- Learn More: Our guide to dark roast coffee goes in-depth on the flavours and aromas you can expect and the ideal brewing methods: What Is Dark Roast Coffee?
Browse our quality selection of dark roast coffee beans.
Light Roast vs. Medium Roast vs. Dark Roast at a Glance
| Light Roast | Medium Roast | Dark Roast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roasting Process | Shorter roast process at lower temperatures | Roasted between the first or second crack of the beans | Roasted for longer at higher temperatures |
| Effects of Roasting | Retains more of the raw coffee beans' original flavour and characteristics | Middle ground between the original bean characteristics and a deeper roasted flavour | Retains less of the raw beans’ characteristics, resulting in a more roasted, bold flavour |
| Flavours | Lively, floral, delicate, dynamic; may have floral or citrus notes | Smooth, balanced, even, subtle; may have hints of toffee, baking spices, vanilla, or caramel | Rich, potent, earthy, bold; hints of dark chocolate or molasses; may be slightly bittersweet |
| Best For | Tasting as much of the original bean flavour as possible; coffee drinkers who enjoy lively, unique flavour notes | Coffee drinkers who want a balanced, even flavour and the best of both worlds between light and dark roasts | Coffee enthusiasts who want a potent, full-bodied cup of coffee with deep, intense flavours |
Find Your Perfect Coffee Roast
Your ideal roast will depend on your brewing method, bean quality, and taste preferences. Time to get experimenting!
If you like intense, rich, potent flavours and love coffee as much as we do, we recommend a dark roast. If you are new to the wonderful world of coffee or prefer nuanced, lively, delicate flavours, try a light roast. Not sure which to choose? You can’t go wrong with a medium roast.
Looking for flavour-packed coffee beans? Browse our light roast, medium roast, and dark roast beans now to find your favourite. Or contact us for personalised recommendations. If you can’t tell already, we jump at the chance to talk with our coffee-loving customers!