Light Roast Arabica Coffee Beans
Light roast arabica coffee beans are the (relatively) new kid on the block. Making delicious light roasts is a delicate balance of artisan roasting and multi-origin blending.
The process of roasting produces new sugars while removing some of the natural sugars that are in the coffee bean. This is why light roasts can be more sweet than dark roasts.
Light Roast
A light roast is a coffee that has been lightly roasted to retain the flavor of the beans. Like the name implies, these kinds of coffees tend to be lighter in body than dark roasts and can be enjoyed with a variety methods of brewing like drip french press, drip over and espresso. Light roasts have brighter and fruitier flavors, and can bring out the unique characteristics of a coffee better than darker roasts.
This is especially true when working with single-estate or micro-lot coffees. Additionally this level of roasting can aid in bringing out delicate, nuanced flavor profiles that are often missing in dark roasts. The good news is that no matter your preference each roast level offers unique and delicious coffees!
Light roasts also have a crisp acidity and mellow flavor. This is why these coffees provide an energy boost without the heavy sensation that is often associated with dark roasts. This is why they are the perfect option for those looking to start their day with a little extra pep and a clean taste.
There is some truth in the belief that a lighter roast contains more caffeine than a darker roast. However this could be false, as it is based on the method you use to weigh your coffee. If you weigh your coffee, a scoop of a light roast will have more caffeine than an ounce of a darker roast (because it has more mass). If you weigh by volume, both will have about the same amount.
The process of roasting is the most important factor in the perfect light roast. It is essential to select a roaster you can trust. Poorly executed light roasts may be bitter or have a burnt flavor that can overwhelm other qualities that are desirable in the coffee. We are awestruck by working with small, family-run roasters that are committed to high-quality coffee.
Our Extra Mile Kenyan is a excellent example of a well-crafted light roast. It has a soft mouthfeel, and sweet flavors of baker's chocolat and stonefruit. It's also obtained from a sustainable and ethical farm that uses Regenerative farming.
Medium Roast
Sometimes referred to as often referred to as Goldilocks roast, medium roast is the "just right" coffee between light and dark roast. Featuring the familiar, traditional diner-style flavors of dark roast but with a greater balance and depth, medium roasts provide an array of intriguing flavors and aromas.
Medium roast arabica coffee beans are heated for a shorter amount of time and at a lower temperature than dark roasts. The beans are heated to 385°F and then begin to pop (this is known as the first crack). The beans will be light brown and have no oil on their surface.
Coffee roasted to this level retains many of the original coffee bean's distinctive aroma and flavor notes. This includes fruity and floral flavors and aromas that are typical of the region from which they originate. Lightly roasted coffee beans possess more acidity and a brighter color, as well as more mellow body.
Depending on the beans used, medium roasts may have flavors like caramel, chocolate and subtle hints of spice. But, it's important to keep in mind that these flavors are less prominent than in a light roast due to the fact that the beans have been roasted for a longer period of time.
In addition to the richness and intensity of coffee that is dark roasted, medium-dark flavored coffee can have a heavy bittersweet taste which can be unpleasant for certain palates. Dark roasted coffee is distinguished by its rich oily appearance and flavors of bittersweet chocolate, dark caramel and smoke.
If you are 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 choice. Our Happy Place blend is made with single-origin beans from farms at high elevations that are Rainforest Alliance certified and practice fully regenerative agriculture. It is a blend of blackberry, guava and cocoa with a soft end.
All varieties of coffee have the same amount of caffeine regardless of roasting levels. The amount of caffeine found in coffee beans depends on their natural levels as well as the amount of oxygen the beans absorb when they are roast.
Dark Roast
Dark roast coffee is a variety that is roasted longer than light roast beans. This lets the coffee develop a more complex flavor profile. This produces a coffee with a rich, bold flavor and less acidity compared to a light-roasted beans. This type of coffee is perfect for those who are looking for a strong cup of coffee to start their day.
Dark roast coffee is distinguished by its brown color and oily top, that give it a smoky and classic diner-style. The process of roasting this type of coffee is what makes it so distinct, and it's crucial to select a coffee that has been roasted properly to enjoy the full flavor.
It is important to roast a dark roasted coffee until the beans begin cracking. This is a sign that the coffee beans have been correctly roasted and are ready to be made. Dark roasted coffee must have a silky mouthfeel, and a balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
To find the best dark roasted coffee, you must focus on premium beans that are perfectly roasted at the right temperature. This will allow the exotic and unique characteristics of the beans, without being overpowered by an over-roasted taste.
To find the best dark-roasted coffee, it's important to consider the source of the beans and the location where they were grown. For example, some regions have a distinct sweetness that is more suitable for dark roasting and other regions have an intense and complex flavor that can withstand the intensity of a roast that is dark.
You should also remember that the darker the roast the higher amount of caffeine you'll get in your coffee. This is because the coffee beans that have been roasted are exposed to more heat, which releases more caffeine. Additionally, the darker the roast more prominent the bitterness will be.
Washed Coffee
Washed coffee beans are the result of a process known as "wet processing". After picking the cherries, they are then de-pulped in tanks, and then fermented to break down the sticky mucilage which covers them. This is followed by a wash to remove the remaining pectin, then drying. This is a very popular method for specialty roasters and is an excellent choice for those looking for crisp, clean and acidic flavor profiles that have medium amounts of body and sweetness.
Different flavor compounds are created according to the duration of the fermentation and the amount of mucilage that is left on the seeds. They can be earthy, floral, fruity or the nutty note. This is the reason washed coffees can show a wide range of characteristics of terroir as well as varietal typicity. This is in contrast to natural processed coffees that can develop distinct flavors from the pulpy fruit that surrounds the beans.
After the mucilage has been removed, the beans can be dried by soaking them in large tanks of hot water (as in the wash method) or spreading the beans on raised beds, patios or terraces and rotating them frequently. This process is continued until the seeds have an moisture content of between 10-12 percent.
Roasting is the final step. When best arabica coffee beans roasting process begins, the temperature inside the bean will increase and a cracking sound will be heard. This is the moment when vapors begin to penetrate the outer wall of the bean. This is referred to as the first crack.
Once this occurs after which the beans are now ready to be enjoyed. Light roasts taste fresh and fruity since they haven't been cooked long enough to produce the oils. Medium roasts are more bready and have a richer, deeper taste, as they've been roasted for a longer period of time. Darker roasts can have a chocolaty or smoky taste, based on the degree of roasting.
This creates a variety of flavors and aromas. It is up to you to select the coffee that suits your tastes! Explore a variety of single-origin roasts, such as medium, light and darker roasts. Each is distinct in its own way.