COFFEE 101
COFFEE ROASTS EXPLAINED
Let’s get to the facts about roasts, their taste, appearance and how much caffeine they contain.
But first, what’s up with coffee roasting?
A roast type describes the development of the coffee bean as heat is being applied.
Common descriptors for roast levels are Dark, Medium & Light.
Appearance & Taste
Kicking Horse Coffee beans are roasted to different levels to bring out different types of taste.
Dark Roasts
Dark roasts are roasted for longer times, and as a result the dark roasted beans are deep, darkish-brown in colour, and have oily exteriors.
At the dark roast stage, beans can develop sweet and rich taste profiles. Dark roasts are often bold and rich, full of body and texture. Dark roasted beans tend to have a bittersweet or toasty taste, as well as decadent chocolaty flavours and are often oilier in appearance.
Medium Roasts
Medium roasts are roasted for less time than dark roasts, and the beans can range in appearance from earthy-brown to caramel-coloured, with a slightly oily exterior.
A medium roast can possess some of the unique and brighter flavors of the coffee’s origin, and can also carry some of the caramel sweetness of a darker roast. Yum yum!
Light Roasts
Light roasts are roasted least of all, and have a light-brown colour and generally no oil on the bean's exterior.
Light roasts typically bring forward origin flavours and unique natural elements. They can often be the most wonderfully complex and brightest tasting of all coffee roasts. Look to Light roasts to reveal traces of sweetness, fruit tanginess, and even a subtle floral aroma.
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A dark roast does not have more caffeine than a light roast.
Each roast basically has pretty much the same amount of kick.
In fact, if measured by scoop, light roast coffee will have oh-so-slightly more caffeine, since the beans are denser than a darker roast. Because they’ve been roasted longer, dark roasts have less mass. Dark roasts having more kick... is a myth. The simple rule of thumb is: It ain’t about the roast of bean; just add more coffee for more caffeine. It doesn’t matter about the type of roast. There’s just as much kick in a light roast as a dark roast. It’s the amazing ranges of taste that’s marks the difference between light and dark!
Check out our how to brew guides and more Coffee 101.