Light Roast vs Dark Roast: What's Actually Different?

Light roast vs dark roast is mostly about how far the beans go in the roaster. Light stays brighter and closer to origin flavor. Dark goes further, so you get more roast character, body, and less acidity.

Light roast coffee

Light roast usually stops around first crack. Expect fruit, citrus, floral notes, and a tea-like finish. Origin comes through clearly.

Caffeine by weight is slightly higher than dark roast. The gap is small in a normal cup.

Best with pour over, Chemex, and Aeropress.

Shop light: Ethiopia Natural and Kenya.

Dark roast coffee

Dark roast goes past first crack, often toward second crack. Expect chocolate, caramel, smoke, and earth. The roast is louder than the farm.

Caffeine by weight is a bit lower. In practice you will not notice much.

Best with French press, espresso, and drip when you want a bolder cup.

Shop dark: French Roast, Cowboy Blend, and Sumatra.

Medium roast

Medium sits in the middle: some brightness, more body. Most people who want a “normal good cup” land here.

Shop medium: Colombia, Brazil Santos, and House Blend.

Shop these

• Ethiopia Natural
• French Roast
• House Blend
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