Guide to coffee roasting

Roasting is a heat process that transforms coffee into the fragrant, dark brown beans we know and love.

Roasting brings out the aroma and taste of the green coffee beans . Beans are green stored, a condition in which they can be preserved without loss of quality or taste. A green bean does not have the characteristics of a roasted bean – it feels soft and spongy and smells grassy.

During roasting, chemical changes occur because the beans are quickly brought to very high temperatures. When they reach the peak of perfection, they are quickly cooled to stop the process. Roasted beans smell like coffee and weigh less because the moisture has been roasted out. They are crispy to the bite and can be ground and brewed immediately.

However, after roasting, they should be consumed as quickly as possible within 3 months before the fresh roasted aroma fades.

Roasting is both an art and a science

It takes years of training to become an expert roaster , able to "read" the beans and make split-second decisions. The difference between perfectly roasted coffee and a ruined batch can be a matter of seconds.

Know your coffee roast

Most roasters have specific names for their preferred roasts and there are very few industry standards. This can cause confusion when purchasing, but generally speaking, roasts fall into one of four color categories: light, medium, medium-dark, and dark.

Many consumers assume that the strong, rich taste of darker roasts is due to a higher caffeine content but the truth is that light roasts actually have a slightly higher concentration .

The perfect roast is a personal decision, sometimes influenced by national preferences or geographical location. Within the four color categories, you'll likely find the common roasts listed below. It's a good idea to ask before you buy. There can be a world of difference between roasts.

Light roasts

This roast has a light brown color and is generally preferred for milder coffees . There is no oil on the surface of these beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oil to penetrate to the surface.

• Light City
• Half City
• Cinnamon

Medium roasts

This roast has a medium brown color with a stronger flavor and a non-oily surface. It is often referred to as the American roast because it is generally preferred in the United States.

• City
• American
• Breakfast

The Coffee Pirates coffee roastery has dedicated itself to the medium roast because we want to emphasize the unique variety of aromas of the coffee cherries.

Medium dark roasts

This roast has a rich, dark color, some oil on the surface and a slightly bittersweet aftertaste.

• Full City

Dark roasts

This roasting produces shiny black beans with an oily surface and a pronounced bitterness. The darker the roast, the less acid the coffee drink contains. Dark roast coffees range from slightly dark to charred, and the names are often used interchangeably – be sure to check your beans before purchasing!

• High
• Continental
• New Orleans
• European
• espresso
• Vienna
• Italian
• French