Coffee roasting levels affect the overall experience of how you enjoy your daily speciality coffee. To determine the roast degree, roasted coffee beans are usually distinguished by their colour, which ranges from light to dark. This is because the more heat that's absorbed by the coffee, the darker its colour would be.

Here at The Proper Coffee Co., we only work with master roasters and grade AA quality beans to ensure a truly special speciality coffee experience.

Light coffee roasts are characterised by their light brown colour, light body, and oil-free bean surfaces. The original flavours of the bean and most of the caffeine are maintained greater than darker roasted coffee beans, which is why they have a toasted grain taste and stronger acidity.

On average, lightly roasted beans reach an internal temperature of 356°F to 401°F. Therefore, a light roast refers to a coffee that has not been roasted beyond the first crack.

→ Common light roast names:
If you prefer and are searching for light roasted coffee beans online, then here are some names you should look for:

• Cinnamon roast
• Half city
• Light city
• New England roast

Medium roasted coffees have a medium brown colour, more body than light roast coffees, and oil-free bean surfaces. Since they lack the grainy taste that light roasts have, they contain more of a balanced flavour, aroma, and acidity. Also, compared to light roast coffees, they have lower caffeine levels.

Medium roasted coffees are roasted between 410°F and 428°F between the end of the first crack and before the start of the second crack.

→ Common medium roast names:
Here are some common roast names of medium roasted coffees:

• American roast
• Breakfast roast
• City roast
• Regular roast

Medium-dark roasts have a richer, darker colour, and a heavier body compared to lighter and medium roasted coffees, with some oil on the bean surfaces.

Since the coffee beans are roasted at about 437°F to 450°F, medium-dark roasts have a stronger flavour and aroma than lighter and medium roasts.

→ Common medium-dark roast names:
If you are planning to buy speciality coffee that is roasted medium-dark, you should search for the following roast names:

• After-dinner roast
• Full-city roast
• Vienna roast

Dark roasted coffees are identified by their dark brown or black colour; their bitter, smoky, or burnt taste; and a sheen of oil on bean surfaces. They also have a significantly reduced amount of caffeine.

Dark roasted coffee beans are roasted to an internal temperature of 465°F to 480°F, from about the end of the second crack or beyond.

→ Common dark roast names:
To buy dark roasted speciality coffee in the UK without any hassle, here are some common roast names you should look out for:

• Continental roast
• Espresso roast
• French roast
• Italian roast
• New Orleans roast
• Spanish roast

In a nutshell, the roast levels of coffee beans have a direct impact on the flavours, aroma, body, acidity, oil, and caffeine levels of your coffee. Thus, the level of coffee roasting significantly affects your coffee experience.

All our speciality coffee clearly states the roast type so you know exactly what you are getting. Why not try 1 or 3 to see which you prefer? Or better yet, sign up to our coffee club to regularly receive a different one of our amazing coffee bags!

If you have any queries regarding coffee roasting, just get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help where we can. To learn more about coffee in general, have a browse through our coffee journal.