The aromas and flavors that we enjoy discovering in a cup of coffee are the result of the art of roasting! This craft or industrial know-how gives the opportunity to cook the coffee while it is still green, by bringing it to a certain temperature for a longer or shorter period of time, in order to enhance all the aromatic richness of a coffee bean.
Depending on the taste or sensation you are looking for, there are different levels of roast to choose from when choosing coffee beans: light, medium and full-bodied roast. Let's discover these specificities so that your next cup of coffee becomes, why not, a journey to awaken your senses!
Roasting is the process of cooking the coffee bean. This will allow the transition between the green coffee bean and the fact that it becomes edible. It is in this process that the artisanal method takes on its full meaning, because it is effectively an art, rigorous and subtle.
The roasting of coffee beans is a very precise and meticulous step since it consists in burning the beans up to 200°C for a maximum of 20 minutes. This time depends on the taste and color desired in the cup. It should be noted that above 230°C, all the aromas disappear and the coffee loses at least 60% of its organoleptic characteristics.
The roaster's objective is to discover the ideal roasting profile of the coffee: it must represent a happy medium between aroma (the characteristic of the flavors), body (the power and thickness in the mouth) and acidity (strength of the coffee).
Depending on how the coffee is extracted, whether it is used for the mild method or for espresso, a roaster usually produces different roasts.
For example, it is preferable to set up an advanced roasting for an espresso. Indeed, as its extraction time is very fast, it is the best method to guarantee that the coffee preserves all its taste in the cup. A lighter roast, known as "monk's robe", is preferred for the gentle method. Its purpose is to ensure that the taste of the coffee is not too bitter after a few minutes of brewing, while still revealing all its aromas.
In an artisanal process, the number of beans roasted at one time is subject to the capacity of the roaster. This machine has effectively the same name as the person who uses it. It is still capable of producing between 5 and 15 kilos of coffee for artisanal roasters, but it can also go up to 300 kilos if it is a question of industrial production.
When you want to buy coffee beans, you quickly realize that there are three main levels of roast: light, medium and full-bodied. Each level has its own distinct characteristics that make them perfect for all types of tasting and brewing.
Lightly roasted beans tend to be rather light brown. Since they are not roasted long enough, there is no oil on their surface.
This short roasting time also has an impact on the taste of the coffee beans. Indeed, this level of roasting is able to bring out many varieties of aromas. It is often quite easy to guess their origins. For example, a Colombian coffee tends to be more full-bodied with some floral notes, while a coffee from the island of Sumatra has much more earthy flavors and aromas.
However, it is important to remember that lightly roasted coffees usually have a pronounced acidity.
Medium roast beans remain the perfect compromise between full-bodied and light roast.
Indeed, this type of beans is roasted long enough for the caramelization to start, but not so long that the subtle fruity aromas of the coffee disappear. In addition, there is also a good compromise between the acidity and bitterness of the coffee.
Coffee beans for full-bodied roasting can withstand the longest roasting time. This makes the process slightly more complex. If this step is done by someone who has not fully mastered the maneuver or with poor quality green coffee beans, the taste of the beverage may be burnt or acrid.
However, if the full-bodied roasting is done properly, the floral and fruity aromas of the beans will give way to a myriad of fuller chocolate flavors. The caramelization will also be complete, which will bring the coffee its final richness.
To make your search for good quality coffee beans easier, according to the level of roast, here is a small practical guide.
With a light or blond roast:
With a light or medium roast:
With a "monk's robe" or medium roast:
With a brown or advanced roast:
With a very brown or very advanced roasting :
With all this information in hand, it becomes easier to choose the coffee beans that correspond to your preferences. To conclude this subject of the different levels of roasting of coffee, it should be remembered that these criteria are also a good basis for discovering new taste sensations.
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