Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans
Light roast arabica coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. Light roasts are an artful balance between artisan roasting, multi-origin blends and blending.
The roasting process produces new sugars, while also removing some of the natural sugars in the coffee bean. This is the reason why light roasts are often sweeter than dark roasts.
Light Roast
A light roast is a coffee that has been lightly roasted in order to preserve the flavor of the beans. As their name suggests, are lighter in body and can be enjoyed using a variety brew methods, including espresso, drip french presses, drip pour-overs. Light roasts tend to have more vibrant and fruity flavors and may highlight the qualities of the coffee’s origin more than darker roasted styles.
This is especially applicable to single estate or micro-lot coffees. This level of roast can assist in bringing out delicate and nuanced flavors that are often lost during dark roasting. Whatever your preference is the roast levels all produce exceptional and delicious coffees.
Light roasts are also known for their sharp acidity and smooth body. They are a result of this, the coffees provide energy and a fresh boost without the heaviness that is often associated with dark roasts. These coffees are great for those who like to start their day with a bit more pep and a fresh taste.
There is some truth in the notion that a lighter roast contains more caffeine than a darker roast. However this can be confusing because it depends on how you measure your coffee. If you weigh the coffee, a scoop with a lighter roast will contain more caffeine than a scoop containing darker roast (because of its greater mass). If you weigh by volume, both will have approximately the same amount.
The process of roasting is the key to a great light roast. It is important to choose a roaster that you can trust. Poorly executed light roasts may be bitter or have a burnt flavor, which could overpower other desirable qualities in the coffee. We love to work with small, family-run roasters who are committed to high-quality coffee.
Extra Mile Kenyan is an excellent example of a light roast that has been well-crafted. It offers sweet flavors of stonefruit and baker’s chocolate with a smooth mouthfeel. In addition, it is taken from an ethical and sustainable farm that adheres to the principles of regenerative agriculture.
Medium Roast
Often referred to 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 with more nuance and balance. They can be found in a variety of flavors and aromas.
Medium roast arabica coffee beans are roasted for a shorter amount of time and at a lower temperature than dark roasts. The beans are heated to around 385 degrees and then they begin to pop. (This is known as the first crack). The beans will appear light brown color with no oil on their surface.
The coffee that is roasted to this degree retains many of the original coffee beans’ distinctive aroma and flavor notes. This includes fruity and floral flavors and aromas that are indigenous to the region of origin. Lightly roasted coffee beans have an acidity that is more vibrant, and a mellower body.
A medium roast could be flavored with chocolate, caramel and hints of spice based on the beans employed. It is important to note that these flavors are less prominent when compared to a light roast since the beans have been roasted for a longer time.
Medium-dark flavors can be a bit bittersweet and heavy, which can make it unpalatable to some taste buds. Dark roasted coffee is characterized by its rich, oily appearance and features tastes of bittersweet chocolate smoke, and dark caramel.
If you want a smooth, balanced cup of coffee that is lighter than dark roast, but not as delicate as light roast medium roast, then our medium-roasted arabica is the right choice. Our Happy Place blend is made with single-origin beans from high-altitude farms that are Rainforest Alliance certified and practice completely regenerative agriculture. It is a blend of blackberry, cocoa, and guava, with a smooth finish.
All varieties of coffee have the identical amount of caffeine regardless of roasting degree. The amount of caffeine in coffee beans varies based on their natural levels, as well as the amount of oxygen beans absorb when they are roast.
Dark Roast
Dark roast coffee is a variety that is roasted longer than light roast beans. This gives a more complex flavor profile to be created. This produces a coffee with an intense, bold flavor and less acidity when compared to a light-roasted coffee. This kind of coffee is ideal for those who are looking for a strong cup of coffee to begin their day.
Dark roasted coffee is distinguished by its brown color and oily top, which gives it a full and classic diner-style flavor. This coffee is characterized by its roasting process. It is essential to choose a top-quality coffee that has been properly roasted to get the full taste.
If a coffee is dark roasted, it needs to be roasted until the beans begin to crack. This is the first sign that the beans are properly roasted and that they are ready to be brewed. Dark-roasted coffee should have a silky mouthfeel and a balance between bitter and sweet flavors.
The most important thing to do when searching for the perfect dark-roasted coffee is to focus on finding high-quality arabica coffee beans beans that have been roasted to the right temperature. This will allow the distinct and exotic qualities of the beans to shine without being overwhelmed by a strong roast flavor.
To determine the best dark-roasted coffee, it’s important to take into account the origins of the beans, as well as the region where they were cultivated. Some regions are better suited to dark roasted beans because of their sweetness, while others have a deep complex flavor that can match the intensity.
Also, keep in mind that the darker the roast the more caffeine you will find in your coffee. This is because the coffee beans that are roasted are exposed to more heat which causes them to release more caffeine. The darker the roast, the more intense the bitterness.
Washed Coffee
Coffee beans that have been washed have gone through a process called “wet processing.” After picking the cherries, they are pulverized and then soaked in tanks filled with water to break down the mucilage that covers the beans. The beans are then dried and cleaned to get rid of any remaining pectin. This method is very popular among specialty roasters. It’s a great choice for those who want a clean crisp, acidic, and crisp flavor profile with moderate sweetness and body.
Depending on the length of fermentation and the amount of mucilage remains on the seeds, various flavor compounds are produced. They can be floral, earthy, fruity or some nutty notes. This is the reason washed coffees can convey a variety of characteristics of terroir as well as the typicity of a varietal. Natural processed coffees can produce unique flavors because of the fruity pulp around the beans.
After the mucilage has been removed, the beans are dried either by being soaked in large tanks of water (as in the washed method) or laid out on raised beds or patios in the sun, and then turned regularly. This is done until the seeds have a moisture content of between 10-12 percent.
The final stage is roasting. As the roasting process progresses the temperature inside the bean will increase, and cracking sounds are heard. This is the time when vapors begin to break through the outer shell of the bean. This is referred to as the first crack.
Once this has happened after which the beans are ready to be enjoyed. Light roasts are fresh roasted arabica coffee beans and fruity, as they haven’t roasted long enough to produce the oils. Medium roasts are more bready, with an intense and richer flavor due to the fact that they’ve been cooked longer. Darker roasts can be very chocolatey or even smoky depending on how dark they’ve been roasted.
This creates a variety of flavors and aromas. It is your choice to select the coffee that is best for you! 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.
