Choose the Right Roast

If you love coffee, it’s important to get the right roast. But with so many options and labels on the market, it can be hard to figure out what they all mean. Just look at labels on Whole Foods in house brand.

To make it easier, let's compare coffee roasts to steak cooking levels. Just like steak, coffee beans can be roasted to different degrees of doneness, from rare to well-done. And just like steak, the roast level affects the flavor, aroma, and texture of the coffee.

Some people prefer their steak rare, because they want to taste the natural flavor and juiciness of the meat. Others like it well-done, because they enjoy the charred and smoky taste. The same goes for coffee. Some people like light roasts, because they want to taste the origin and terroir of the coffee beans. Others like dark roasts, because they like the bold and bitter taste.

But how do you know what roast level suits your taste? One way is to look at the labels on the coffee packages. However, this can be confusing, because different brands use different terms and scales to describe their roasts. For example, you might see words like Italian, French, Medium-light, Medium, Dark, Honey, Brown Sugar, Berries, Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Lemon, and so on. What do they all mean?

To simplify things, I created this table to help you understand the main differences between the roast levels and the taste profiles they produce. You can use this as a guide to find the coffee that matches your preference.

As you can see, the roast level affects the taste and acidity of the coffee. Generally, the lighter the roast, the more citrusy and sour the coffee. The darker the roast, the more bitter and smoky the coffee is. The medium roasts are somewhere in between, with a balance of sweetness and bitterness.

When I choose a coffee, I usually look for the words are in the acidity and taste columns. I like coffees that have fruity and nutty flavors, generally described with words like orange, graham cracker, berry, almond, and so on. These are usually found in light to medium roasts. You might have a different preference, and that's okay. The best way to find out what you like is to try different roasts and see how they taste.

The next time you go to buy coffee beans, think about the roast level and the taste profile you want. Look for the words that describe them on the labels.

Enjoy your coffee!

Next up we will discuss the freshness of coffee.