Medium vs. Dark Roast Coffee
There are 3 types of coffee roasts; light, medium, and dark but the two most commonly preferred roasts are medium and dark.
Medium roast, also known as City roast, American roast, Regular Roast, or Breakfast Roast and is generally fully flavored and acidic, with notes of caramel. It is roasted between 400-430 degrees Fahrenheit. Brown in color, the medium roast is balanced with the natural flavors of coffee, with hints of bitterness.
Dark roast, also known as Vienna roast, Italian roast, French Press roast, or Full City roast is slightly acidic and has a strong flavor. When you mix the dark-roasted coffee beans with milk, they make a bold cup of coffee. After the beans are roasted to a high temperature, they may lose their characteristic strong flavor and smell. But you will observe smokey notes in the dark roast.
So what are the key differences between the two coffee roasts?
Caffeine content
This topic has long been debated amongst coffee aficionados. The well-researched answer is that roasting does not affect the amount of caffeine in the coffee beans. However, if you compare inch-by-inch, then medium roast has slightly more caffeine content than dark roast.
Taste
Medium Roast has a distinctive flavor profile. It tastes like premium beans with floral hints. The medium roast lies between the light and dark roasts. Most coffee lovers prefer medium roasts because they are not too bland like light roasts nor too intense like dark roasts.
Dark Roast coffee beans are dark brown. It is believed that the dark roasting process is used to camouflage the low quality of some coffee beans. Dark roast often tastes like charcoal when burnt at a high temperature.
Final Verdict
Medium and Dark roast coffee taste amazing. There is an almost equal caffeine content in both roasts. However, medium roast is the most popular and recommended. It is well-balanced to satisfy your palate cravings for coffee. You can feel the signature taste and aroma of the coffee beans along with the bold notes.
But of course, try both roasts and experience the difference yourself. Now, you must be craving a creamy cup of Joe. So, go get your cup right now!!
