Did you know that Americans drink an average of three cups of coffee per day? With so much coffee drinking, many of us are curious to know what sets different kinds of coffee apart. Why should you take a dark roast over a light roast?
If you’re curious to learn more about the common types of roasts with your coffee, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about your morning cup of joe!
Flavor
One of the first things to look at is the flavor of a coffee. Once you’ve decided on the types of beans you want to use, the flavor is the main deciding factor for your preferred types of roasts.
Light roasts have a fruitier, nutty flavor to them. These tend to taste sweeter and less bold. That’s because a light roast isn’t roasted for long, helping preserve these flavors.
Conversely, a dark roast is roasted long enough to cover this flavor profile. Instead, these taste robust, deep, and earthy.
A medium roast will have notes of both, depending on the quality of the beans. Try each of these roast types to see which best fits your preference of flavors!
Caffeine Content
The caffeine content is another factor in a coffee’s roast. Many believe that a dark roast coffee has a higher caffeine count. The misconception comes from the flavor being bolder and stronger, meaning the coffee must also be “strong.”
However, the opposite is true! The lighter a coffee’s roast is, the more caffeine the coffee will have.
The reason for this is that the roasting process removes the caffeine. As the coffee roasts, much of the caffeine will work its way out of the coffee naturally.
That isn’t to say that a dark roast has no caffeine. A dark roast will still have plenty of caffeine, so don’t worry about not having your morning pick-me-up.
If you’re after a higher caffeine content, you should stick to lighter roasts. Light roasts are good for people that don’t drink much coffee. They’ll help you stay awake without giving you the jitters from drinking too many cups.
There are many nutritional benefits of coffee that are linked to its roasting times. The caffeine content is only the beginning of how roasting affects your coffee’s nutritional value.
Acid Levels
A third difference from roasts is the acid level. Did you know that the bright and citrusy flavors of light roasts come from the acid? While there are other factors, the high acid of a light roast affects this flavor.
On the other hand, the longer roasting period of a dark roast lowers the acid. If you have a low tolerance for acid, you should switch to dark roasts!
Dark Roast or Light Roast?
Whether you prefer a dark roast’s bold flavor or a light roast’s citrusy notes, coffee is an invaluable part of your day. Make sure to try multiple coffees of each type to see which is your favorite roast style!
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