Three useful starting points
Light roast often protects origin detail. Medium roast balances origin and roast sweetness. Dark roast emphasizes deeper flavours created in the roaster.
Compare light, medium and dark fairly
- Light: often brighter, with fruit or floral impressions. Medium: often rounder, with caramel or nut-like impressions. Dark: often more roasty and bittersweet.
- Those are starting descriptions, not guarantees. Origin, processing and brewing can make two coffees with the same roast label taste very different.
- Brew equal doses with the same method. Taste black first, then add the same amount of milk to each if that is how you normally drink coffee.
What does it taste like?
Think bright and floral at the light end, rounded and caramel-like in the middle, then deep, cocoa-like and roasty at the dark end.
What about caffeine?
Roast level is a poor shortcut for caffeine. Compare serving size and recipe instead.
Who might enjoy it?
- Light: you want clarity and lively acidity.
- Medium: you want balance and familiarity.
- Dark: you want deep roast flavour and lower perceived acidity.
Brewing reference: National Coffee Association roast guide. Use the leaf packet or equipment instructions where they differ.