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Types of Coffee Roasts

Last updated on May 21, 2024

If you operate a cafe, you'll know that having a well-rounded coffee drink menu is essential to the success of your business. With over 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drinking at least one cup every day, the quality and roast color of your coffee and espresso beans can mean the difference between a great cup of coffee and a disappointment for your customers. Familiarize yourself with the different types of coffee roasts so you can make the best supply choices for your coffee shop or diversify your coffee roasting business offerings.


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Different Coffee Roasts

Coffee roasting is a heating process that brings out the aroma and flavor locked inside a green coffee seed, which has a mild, grassy taste on its own, and turns the beans brown. A coffee bean starts acidic, but the longer it is roasted, the more smoky and bitter it becomes. The flavor profile of a bean's roast level will depend on the varietal and geographic location of that bean as well as the roasting method.

Light Roast Coffee

Light roast whole coffee beans

Light roast coffee beans are light brown in color and have a mild acid flavor. Because of its low roast time and temperature, the internal oils aren't extracted and the bean retains its naturally high caffeine levels. Only heating up to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, the coffee bean is cooled just as it reaches "first crack" when the vapors crack through the hard surface of the seed with a loud popping noise. You'll commonly see light roast coffee listed as light city, half city, or cinnamon roast.

Color: Light brown

Oil on Surface: No

Flavor Profile: Toasted grain with pronounced acidity

Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: High

Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 400°F

Light Roast Alternative Names: Light City, Half City, Cinnamon

Medium Roast Coffee

Medium roast whole coffee beans

Medium roast coffee is considered one of the more approachable coffee styles because of its slightly sweet, slightly acidic, well-balanced flavor. The beans are roasted to 420 degrees Fahrenheit and removed from the heat just after the "first crack" but before the second. This non-oily roast is preferred in the United States, often earning it the name of "American roast".

Color: Brown

Oil on Surface: No

Flavor Profile: Balanced flavor, aroma, and acidity

Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Medium

Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 420°F

Medium Roast Alternative Names: Regular Roast, Breakfast Roast, American Roast, City Roast

Dark Roast Coffee

Dark roast whole coffee beans

Dark roast coffee is made for dark brown coffee beans that have been roasted to 445 degrees Fahrenheit and typically reach the second crack. The internal oils of the seed rise to the surface and the bean takes on a full-bodied, almost spiced flavor. The original characteristics of the bean will be roasted out at this point but its low acidity makes it a favorite as a base for coffee drinks with additional flavoring syrups, pairing well with chocolate and caramel.

Color: Dark Brown

Oil on Surface: Some

Flavor Profile: Heavy, full body flavor with small taste of spice

Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Low

Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 445°F

Dark Roast Alternative Names: Full City, Vienna Roast

Extra Dark Roast Coffee

Extra dark roast whole coffee beans

Extra dark roast coffee beans are heated to approximately 475 degrees Fahrenheit until the beans are nearly black. They are quite oily and have a bold smoky and bitter flavor caused by the Maillard reaction. The strong flavor of this roast is excellent for espresso-type coffee drinks without the full intensity of caffeine that espresso typically delivers. It is also used for making cold brew coffees as a robust morning pick-me-up.

Color: Black

Oil on Surface: Yes

Flavor Profile: Bitter, smoky, or burnt taste

Amount of Caffeine per Scoop: Very low

Internal Temperature Of Beans At Roasting Peak: Approx. 475°F

Extra Dark Roast Alternative Names: Continental Roast, French Roast, Italian Roast, Espresso Roast

Coffee Roast Chart

Help your employees brush up on the different types of coffee roasts by adding our printable coffee roasts chart to your coffee station.

Infographic detailing different levels of coffee roasts.

Types of Coffee Beans

There are two basic types of coffee bean species that are grown commercially throughout the world: Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta, which differ due to their growing environments, overall flavor, and price. There are also two less common types of coffee beans, Liberica and Excelsa coffee beans, but they make up only about 2% of the world's coffee supply and are not often used for cafe menus. It's helpful to understand the difference between these types of coffee beans when choosing your coffee since their tastes can vary significantly.

Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica beans make up 60% of the world's coffee supply. When roasted, Arabica beans provide a sweet, yet soft taste with low acidity levels. These types of coffee beans need a cool, subtropical climate where sun, rich soil, and moisture are present, typically at a high elevation. Since Arabica beans are difficult to grow and cultivate, they are more expensive compared to Robusta beans and have a higher cost of production. Most Arabica beans are grown in Africa and Latin America.

What Does Arabica Coffee Taste Like?

Arabica coffee has a smooth and balanced flavor, with a hint of sweetness. Depending on the growing region, Arabica beans may have an earthy or floral flavor.

Robusta Coffee Beans

Robusta coffee is considered the inferior choice compared to Arabica since it yields a strong, bitter, and harsh taste when roasted. Robusta beans contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica, which makes them less vulnerable to diseases and pests since caffeine acts as a natural insecticide in the plant. Primarily grown in Africa and Indonesia, Robusta beans can also stand up to harsher growing environments and lower altitudes, making them cheaper to produce and sell. Due to its low cost, most instant and ground coffee blends sold in grocery stores are made from Robusta beans.

What Does Robusta Coffee Taste Like?

Coffee made from Robusta beans tends to be on the bitter side with a strong smell and harsh flavor. There is also usually an earthy and spiced flavor that lends well to dark roasts.

Whole Bean vs Ground Coffee

In addition to choosing which roasts you will serve customers, it is also important to decide whether you will purchase whole bean coffee or pre-ground coffee. The frequency of your coffee service, time availability, and access to proper coffee equipment will all affect your decision.

Barista pouring whole bean coffee into a commercial coffee grinder
Barista pouring whole bean coffee into a commercial coffee grinder

Whole Bean Coffee

Purchasing whole bean coffee is an excellent choice for operators looking to improve their coffee service. It is best to use when brewing with an espresso machine, pourover, or French press. 

Pros
  • Produces a fresher product with a more pronounced flavor and aroma
  • Can control the grind size
Cons
  • Requires grinding equipment
  • Takes more time to brew
  • Takes more skill and knowledge to produce the right grind size
Barista putting pre-ground coffee into an automatic coffee brewer
Barista putting pre-ground coffee into an automatic coffee brewer

Ground Coffee

Pre-ground coffee is a convenient, time-saving choice for high-volume operators using drip brewers in their establishments.

Pros
  • Produces a more consistent flavor
  • Less labor intensive and easy to prepare
  • Typically more accessible
Cons
  • Predetermined grind size limits the brewing options
  • Flavor and aroma is not as potent and complex as fresh-ground coffee
  • Can spoil more easily and more quickly than whole beans
Expert Tip


To preserve the flavor of your unused coffee, store in an airtight container at room temperature away from light, heat, and moisture.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.

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