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Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles

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Types of Coffee Roasts & Coffee Flavor Profiles
Marlena S. Jan 29, 2020

Determine Your Preferred Coffee Roast Level

Light Roast Coffee Logo

Light Roast Coffee

Light roast coffee beans are light brown in color and are a preferred roast for more mild-bodied coffees. Light roast coffee should not have any oil on the surface of the coffee beans. If you prefer light, fragrant, floral or fruity coffee notes - you'll enjoy a light roast coffee.

AKA: Light City, Half City, Cinnamon, New England


Medium Roast Coffee Logo

Medium Roast Coffee

Medium roast coffee is medium brown in color with a non-oily surface. Traditionally, a medium roast is the most preferred type of coffee roast in America. If you prefer a flavorful, traditional cup of coffee you'll enjoy a medium roast.

AKA: City, American, Breakfast


Medium Dark Roast Coffee Logo

Medium-Dark Roast Coffee

Medium-dark roast coffee beans are a rich, dark brown color with a semi-oily surface. This type of roast produces a modest bittersweet aftertaste. If you prefer slight bittersweet notes and deep flavors, you'll enjoy a medium-dark roast.

AKA: Full City


Dark Roast Coffee Logo

Dark Roast Coffee

Dark roast coffee beans are nearly black, oily and produce a noticeable bitterness. The darker the coffee bean, the less acidity will be present in the coffee. If you prefer a heavy mouthfeel and strong flavor, you'll enjoy a dark roast coffee.

AKA: High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso, Viennese, Italian, French


Determine Your Preferred Coffee Flavor Profile

Mild

Coffee with a mild body is not sharp, pungent or strong. Many light roast coffees normally possess a mild flavor profile.

Bold

Coffee with a bold body has a strong and noticeable flavor. Coffees from medium to dark roast levels normally possess a bold flavor profile.

Extra Bold

Coffee with an extra bold body has flavors that are extremely strong and pronounced. Dark roast coffees normally possess an extra bold flavor profile.

32 Comments

  • CW
    Charles R. Williams

    Do you put a “roasted on” date on the coffee? What is the usual time between roasting and delivery (Massachusetts)? Thanks.

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Sure do! You’ll see a small sticker on every bag of Fresh Roasted Coffee that shows the roast date. It may look something like 22-001. That translates as year 2022, day 1 (January 1st). 22-035 would be February 4th, 22-036 would be February 5th, all the way to 22-365 - December 31st…you get the idea.

    As far as the time between roasting and delivery, that depends a little bit on your delivery person but for the most part, orders received before 2:00 PM Sunday through Thursday get roasted the same night and shipped the next day. Coffee pods can take a little longer since the coffee has to de-gas before we can put it in the cups (nobody like an exploding coffee pod!) but particularly here on the east coast / mid-Atlantic, the carriers are getting our packages to you in 2-3 days. So in your case, an order placed on Monday morning could potentially be in your hands by Thursday - weather delays, etc. notwithstanding.

  • EG
    Ed G

    We’re planning to start a business in Las Vegas and roasting coffee is one of them. We’re interested on your products. Is there a sampler pack raw coffee beans available for us to try?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Sure do! Check out the unroasted variety packs we have available right now!

  • SS
    Steve Sylvester

    Hi, I was recently in Costa Rica and had the most amazing coffee in Tamarindo . It was like drinking velvet . Was it Tarrazu ?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Well, we’re honestly not sure as Costa Rica has a number of growing regions but we know we love the smooth, silky taste of our Tarrazu!

  • K
    Kellychoularton

    Thank you so much

  • CC
    Cindy Castelazo

    Hi, I just came across your website and I’m excited to try something out! I have heard that shade grown coffee is less acidic. I would like something organic and shade grown but that still retains some acidity as I have tried some low acid coffees that ended up tasting flat to me. Any recommendations? Thanks!

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    There’s no actual certification for shade grown coffee and, in fact, many farms are a combination of shade and sun. However, if you’re looking for organic, low-acid coffees, check out the volcanic-soil-grown varieties from the Indo-Pacific region. Our selections from Bali, Sumatra, Flores, Java, and Timor all fit the bill!

  • MM
    Mark McKinney

    I am interested in trying my hand at roasting coffee for my family. We really enjoy Black Knight. Which beans would you recommend for us to try?

    FRC Logo Icon
    Team FRC

    Hi, Mark! We’re thrilled to hear you like Black Knight! Our recipes are proprietary, but we can tell you that it’s a blend of Central American and Indo-Pacific coffees. We’d recommend trying your hand at coffees from either of those regions or make your own blend! Go for a darker roast for a bolder brew. Let us know how your home roasting journey goes!

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