Types of Coffee Roasts
Whether used as an early morning pick-me-up or paired with a late-night dessert, there isn’t a more universally loved hot beverage than coffee. In fact, a recent study found that 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink at least one cup every day. However, not every kind of coffee is created equal. There are many different types of coffee, with variations in color, taste, roast, and levels of caffeine all available to your dining operation with the click of a button, which can make choosing the right one difficult. This buying guide will help those seeking to make the best choice by explaining the coffee roasting process, in addition to some of the key differences between types of coffee roasts.
Type of Roast
|
Color
|
Oil on Surface?
|
Taste
|
Amount of Caffeine
|
Internal Temperature of Beans at Roasting Peak
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Light brown
|
No
|
Toasted grain with pronounced acidity
|
High
|
Approx. 400°F |
|
Brown
|
No
|
Balanced flavor, aroma, and acidity
|
Medium
|
Approx. 420°F
|
|
Dark brown
|
Some
|
Heavy, full body flavor with small taste of spice
|
Low
|
Approx. 445°F
|
|
Black
|
Yes
|
Bitter, smoky, or burnt taste
|
Very Low
|
Approx. 475°F
|
Whole Bean vs. Ground Coffee
One thing that’s also important to consider not directly related to the different coffee roasts is the distinction between whole bean and ground coffee. Convenience is the largest benefit of pre-ground coffee, as it requires very little effort to prepare. So even in the most fast-paced commercial dining setting, this type of coffee remains ready to brew at a moment’s notice. On the other hand, whole beans can help provide that authentic coffee roasting experience and taste most corner shops and diners hope to deliver. They will need to be ground by hand, but can be done so easily with the proper piece of equipment, such as any item from this collection of coffee grinders. With the right technique, the time it takes to grind and subsequent coffee roasting process can take just a few minutes to complete. Both types of coffee, regardless of roast or size, are reliable options for your operation.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. It’s helpful to understand the difference between these types of coffee beans when choosing your coffee since their tastes can vary significantly.Arabica
When roasted, Arabica beans provide a sweet, yet soft taste with low acidity levels. These types of coffee beans needs a cool, subtropical climate where lots of sun, rich soil, and moisture are present, as a location in 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.
Robusta
Robusta coffee is considered the more 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, and therefore are less vulnerable to diseases and pests since caffeine acts as a natural insecticide in the plant. Robusta beans can also stand up to harsher growing environments and lower altitudes, making it 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.
Choosing Your Coffee
The entire bean-to-cup journey is rather remarkable, and can help identify some of the things to look for when either shopping for beans or grounds in order to find the best type of coffee. While it can be hard to pinpoint the best choice for your restaurant, a quick tour through all of our available restaurant coffee and espresso flavors is a great place to start. Continue reading for an overview of the options, as organized by the different coffee roasts, and don’t forget to check out our other coffee roasting service supplies such as mugs, insulated servers, chafer urns, condiment organizers, and stirring straws. For examples of coffee brewing equipment, look through our available satellite coffee brewers and commercial coffee makers.Coffee Comparison
Product
|
Style
|
Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?
|
Packaging
|
Size/Qty.
|
Available in Single Pack?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case
|
No
|
Product
|
Style
|
Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?
|
Packaging
|
Size/Qty.
|
Available in Single Pack?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Packets
|
2 oz. - 80/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2 oz. - 80/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
or |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Bags
|
or or |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Packets
|
0.5 oz. - 150/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Packets
|
100 packets |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz - 128/case |
No
|
|
Whole Beans
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
32 oz. - 10/case |
No
|
|
Whole Beans
|
Decaffeinated
|
Bags
|
32 oz. - 10/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
0.5 oz. - 150/case |
No
|
Product
|
Style
|
Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?
|
Packaging
|
Size/Qty.
|
Available in Single Pack?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2 oz. - 80/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Decaffeinated
|
Packets
|
2 oz. - 80/case |
No
|
|
Whole Beans
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
2 lbs. - 5/case |
||
Whole Beans
|
Decaffeinated
|
Bags
|
2 lbs. - 5/case |
||
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Packets
|
2.5 oz. - 24/case |
No
|
Product
|
Style
|
Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?
|
Packaging
|
Size/Qty.
|
Available in Single Pack?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
12 oz. - 6/case |
||
Whole Beans
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
12 oz. - 6/case |
||
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
12 oz. - 6/case |
||
Ground
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
12 oz. - 6/case |
||
Whole Beans
|
Caffeinated
|
Bags
|
12 oz. - 6/case |
Related Resources
Coffee Shop Equipment List
You have a business plan, a great location, and the perfect name with an awesome logo to go with it, but now that it's time to supply your coffee shop , you're unsure of where to start. Well, even though specific requirements will vary from business to business, we've developed a comprehensive coffee shop equipment list to get you started. To get an idea of the equipment needed when opening a coffee shop, take a look at the information below, or for a quick reference, check out our printable coffee shop equipment list!
Coffee Brewing Methods
Java, Joe, liquid energy, and brew are just some of the terms used to describe one of the world’s most highly consumed beverages - coffee . One of the most important factors that effects the taste of coffee is the way in which you brew it. Understanding these coffee brewing methods helps to build the foundation for some of the most popular coffee drinks offered in cafés and coffee bars, and will greatly improve your staff’s knowledge and success! Coffee Brewing Methods Once coffee beans have been harvested and roasted, it’s time to convert them into a liquid. The most popular methods of doing this include using a drip coffee maker, French press, or espresso machine. Understanding these three processes is essential when running a successful
Types of Specialty Coffee Equipment
There is nothing more satisfying for a customer than walking into a coffee shop and seeing a menu full of varying cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and more. Having specialty coffee drink options adds unmatched versatility to your business that, in turn, draws in a much larger variety of caffeine-craving guests. By following this guide, you can find the right specialty coffee equipment and accessories to make sure your business is serving flavorful hot drinks that turn one-time hopefuls into regular patrons.
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