Coffee beans are roasted in medium roasting: light roasting vs dark roasting

The degree of roasting of coffee beans has an important impact on the flavor and taste of coffee. Light roasting and dark roasting are two common roasting methods, which have obvious differences in color, acidity, bitterness and aroma.

First of all, light roasting means heating the coffee beans to a medium color, usually light brown. This roasting method retains the characteristics of the original coffee beans, making the acidity more obvious and having a higher fresh taste. Due to the lower temperature, the moisture content inside the coffee beans is higher, and more gas is released during brewing, forming a rich and complex aroma. In addition, during the light roasting process, most of the natural saturated fatty acids in the coffee beans are retained, making the taste smoother.

In contrast, dark roasting heats the coffee beans until they are dark black or shiny. This roasting method gives coffee a completely new flavor. Due to the high temperature treatment that reduces moisture, dark roasted coffee has a relatively low acidity, and the bitterness and sweetness are more prominent. During the dark roasting process, the sugar inside the coffee beans is completely decomposed, resulting in a series of complex chemical reactions, forming a rich and unique aroma. In addition, during the dark roasting process, the saturated fatty acids contained in the coffee beans will gradually convert into unsaturated fatty acids, and the oil will seep out from the surface of the beans.

In general, the choice of light or dark roast depends on personal taste preference. People who like fresh, bright taste and rich aroma may prefer light roasted coffee. People who like rich, bittersweet taste and strong aroma may prefer dark roasted coffee. In addition, the brewing method can also be adjusted according to different roasting degrees. For example, the drip brewing method can highlight the delicate flavor of light roasted coffee; while the espresso method can fully show the dark black and shiny dark roasted coffee.