Coffee Bean Roasting: The Difference Between Light and Heavy Roasting

The difference between light and dark roast

Coffee bean roasting is one of the key steps in making coffee, which can change the flavor and taste of coffee beans. In the roasting process, there are two common roasting degrees: light and heavy. These two different roasting degrees will bring completely different characteristics to the coffee.

Light Roast

Light roasting means that the coffee beans are processed relatively quickly under high temperature, usually between 185°C and 205°C. This temperature range causes the surface of the coffee beans to begin to change color and chemical reactions to begin inside.

In the light roasting process, due to the relatively less time, the coffee beans retain more of the original flavor and aroma. At this time, the coffee beans are not completely dehydrated and retain a certain amount of acidity. Therefore, what you taste in the cup is a bright and fresh coffee with a sweet and sour taste like citrus or berries, floral or herbal aromas, etc.

Heavy Roast

Compared with light roasting, heavy roasting requires higher temperature and longer time. It is usually carried out between 205°C and 230°C, and the time will be extended to more than 15 minutes. Such high temperature and long time treatment make the coffee beans darker and oil begins to appear on the surface.

During the heavy roasting process, more chemical reactions occur inside the coffee beans, and the moisture is almost completely lost. Due to the long exposure to high temperature, the acidity inside the coffee beans gradually decreases and turns into bitterness. At the same time, the aroma also changes. What you taste in the cup is a rich and full coffee with a bittersweet taste like chocolate or nuts, coal or wood flavors, etc.

Mild vs severe

Light and heavy roasting give coffee a completely different flavor experience:

• Taste: Light roasts produce a fresh, bright taste with sweet and sour notes and floral aromas; dark roasts produce a rich, full-bodied taste with bittersweet and nutty or chocolate-like flavors.
• Aroma: Light roasting retains the original floral or herbal aroma of the coffee beans; while heavy roasting produces a stronger coal or woody aroma.
• Color: Lightly roasted coffee beans are lighter in color and have no oil on the surface; heavily roasted coffee beans are darker in color and have oil on the surface.

Choose the coffee that suits your taste

Light roasting is a good choice for those who like fresh and bright coffee with a sweet and sour taste like citrus or berries, floral or herbal aromas, etc. The coffee produced at this level has a certain degree of original flavor and allows people to taste the unique characteristics of different regions and varieties.

For those who like a rich and full-bodied coffee with a bittersweet taste like chocolate or nuts, or a coal or woody flavor, heavy roasting is more suitable. The coffee produced at this level has a higher bitterness and aroma, which can give people a strong and deep experience.

Summarize

Light roasting and heavy roasting are two common ways of processing coffee beans, which bring different flavors and tastes. Choosing the coffee that suits your taste depends on personal preference. Whether it is light roasting or heavy roasting, you can find the cup of coffee you like in different occasions.