Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans
Light roast arabica coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. The art of creating delicious light roasts is a delicate balancing act of roasting artisanally and multi-origin blend.
The process of roasting burns off some of the natural sugar in the coffee bean, it also creates new sugars. 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 natural flavor of beans. These coffees, as their name implies are lighter in weight and can be enjoyed using different brewing methods, such as drip, espresso, french presses, and pour overs. Light roasts have brighter and more fruity flavors and are able to highlight the distinctive characteristics of a coffee better than darker roasts.
This is especially relevant when working with micro lot or single-estate coffees. In addition this level of roasting can help bring out subtle, nuanced flavor profiles which are often omitted in dark roasts. No matter what you prefer each roast level produces distinctive and delicious coffees.
Light roasts are also renowned for their crisp acidity and mellow body. As a result, these coffees provide a refreshing boost of energy without the heaviness that can be associated with dark roasts. These coffees are ideal for those who prefer to start the day with a bit more energy and a refreshing taste.
There is some truth in the belief that lighter roasts have more caffeine than a darker roast. However this could be confusing because it depends on how you weigh your coffee. If you weigh your coffee and scoop it up, a scoop of a light roast will have more caffeine than the scoop of a dark roast (because it is heavier). If you weigh by volume, both will have approximately the same amount.
The key to a successful light roast lies in the roasting process. It is essential to select a roaster you can trust. Light roasts that are poorly executed could have a bitter or burned flavor, which can overpower other good qualities of the coffee. This is the reason we love to work with small and family-owned roasters that value quality.
Our Extra Mile Kenyan is a excellent example of a well-crafted light roast. It offers sweet flavors of baker's chocolate and stonefruit with a silky mouthfeel. It is also sourced from a sustainable and ethical farm that adheres to sustainable agriculture practices.
Medium Roast
Medium roast is often described as the "just-right" coffee due to the fact that it's the perfect blend between light and dark roast. Featuring the familiar, traditional diner-style flavor notes of dark roast, but with a greater balance and nuance, medium roasts offer an array of intriguing flavors and aromas.
Medium roast arabica beans are heated at lower temperatures and for a shorter time than darker roasts. The beans are heated up to 385 degrees and then they begin to pop. (This is called the first crack). Beans that have been roasted to this level will have a light brown hue and will not have any oil on their surface.
Coffee roasted to this level retains a lot of the original coffee bean's distinctive aroma and taste. This includes floral and fruity aromas and flavors that are native to the region of origin. Coffee beans that are lightly roasted have a brighter acidity, and a mellower body.
Depending on the beans you use, medium roasts can be flavored with flavors such as chocolate, caramel and even hints of spice. It is important to keep in mind that these flavors will be less intense in a medium roast than in a lighter roast, because the beans are roasted longer.
Aside from the boldness and richness of coffee that is dark roasted, medium-dark coffees can have a heavy bittersweet taste that can make it unpalatable for some palates. Dark roasted coffee is characterized by its deep, oily appearance and features the flavors of bittersweet chocolate, smoke, and dark caramel.
If you're seeking a smooth, balanced cup of coffee that's lighter than dark, but not as delicate as light roast medium roast arabica coffee is the perfect choice. Our Happy Place blend is created using single-origin coffee beans sourced from high-elevation farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified and practice fully regenerative farming. It has flavors of blackberry, guava, and cocoa with a soft finish.
Whatever the roast level, all types of coffee contain similar amounts of caffeine. This is due to the caffeine content of beans is based on their natural levels as well as the amount of oxygen that beans absorb as they are roasted.
Dark Roast
Dark roast coffee is one that has been roasted for longer than light roast beans. This lets the coffee develop an enticing flavor profile. specialty arabica coffee beans results in a coffee that is rich and bold in taste, and less acidity than a lighter roast. This type of coffee is ideal for those who like a strong cup to start the day.
Dark roast coffee is distinguished with its brown color and oily surface, which give it a rich and classic diner-style flavor. The coffee is distinguished by its roasting process. It is important to select a high-quality bean that has been properly roast to obtain the best flavor.
If a coffee is dark roasted, it has to be roast until the beans begin to crack. This is the first indicator that the beans have been properly roasted and that they are ready to be made. Dark roasted coffee should also have a soft mouthfeel and a balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
The trick to finding the right dark roasted coffee is to focus on selecting beans of high-quality that have been roasted at the perfect temperature. This will let you enjoy the exotic and unique qualities of the beans without being overwhelmed by an over-roasted taste.
To find the best dark-roasted coffee, it is important to consider the origin of the beans, as well as the region where they were cultivated. Certain regions are more for dark-roasted beans due to their sweetness while others have a deep, complex flavor that can match the intensity.
You should also remember that the darker the roast the higher amount of caffeine you'll get in your coffee. This is because coffee beans that have been roasted are exposed to higher temperatures which causes them to release more caffeine. The darker the roast, the stronger the bitterness.
Washed Coffee
Washed coffee beans are the product of a process called "wet processing". After removing the cherries, they are de-pulped in tanks before being fermented to break down any sticky mucilage that is encases them. The process is followed by a wash to eliminate the remaining pectin, and then drying. This method is very well-liked among specialty roasters. It's a great option for anyone who wants fresh, crisp, acidic taste profile with moderate sweetness and body.
Based on the length of fermentation and how much mucilage remains on the seeds, a variety of flavor compounds are produced. These can have fruity, floral, earthy or the nutty note. This is what allows washed coffees to convey a variety of the terroir and varietal typicity. Natural processed coffees can produce distinctive flavors due to the fruity pulp around the beans.
After the mucilage is removed, the beans are dried either by soaking in large tanks of water (as in the washed method) or spread out on patios or raised beds in the sun and rotated regularly. This is done until the seeds attain a moisture level between 10 and 12%.
The final step is roasting. As the roasting happens, the temperature inside the bean will rise and a cracking sound can be heard. This is the moment when vapors begin to break through the outer wall of the bean. This is known as the first crack.
After this after which the beans are now ready to be enjoyed. Light roasts are fresh and fruity because they haven't roasted long enough to produce the oils. Medium roasts are more bready and have a deeper more pronounced flavor, because they've been roasted for longer. Roasts that are darker may have a smoky or chocolaty taste, based on the level of roasting.
All of this makes for an array of tastes and aromas, so it is up to you to find the perfect coffee to suit your preferences! We suggest you try a variety of our single-origin light, medium and dark roasts to find out what unique flavors each will bring to you.