What’s the Difference Between Light, Medium, and Dark Roasts?

When it comes to choosing coffee, one of the first decisions you'll face is roast level. Whether you're browsing bags at your local café or buying beans online, you'll almost always see the terms light roast, medium roast, and dark roast on the label. But what do they actually mean? And more importantly, how do they affect flavour, caffeine, and the overall coffee experience?

Let’s dive into the key differences so you can choose the roast profile that suits your taste and brewing style best.

What Do Roast Levels Refer To?

Roast levels describe how long and at what temperature coffee beans are roasted. All coffee starts out the same: green, raw, and dense with moisture. Roasting transforms these raw beans into the familiar brown beans we grind and brew.

The longer the beans are roasted, the darker and oilier they become. That change affects everything from taste and aroma to mouthfeel and acidity.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each roast level:

Light Roast

Colour: Light brown
Surface: Dry (no visible oils)
Common Names: Cinnamon, Half City, New England

Light roasts are roasted just until the first crack, a popping sound that happens when moisture escapes and the bean expands. They’re pulled from the roaster before the second crack begins.

Flavour Profile:
Light roasts are prized for their bright acidity, fruity or floral notes, and their ability to showcase the bean's origin characteristics. If you're drinking a naturally processed Ethiopian coffee, for example, a light roast will highlight its blueberry or jasmine notes beautifully.

Caffeine Content:
Contrary to popular belief, light roasts tend to retain slightly more caffeine by weight compared to darker roasts. The difference is minor, but it exists because caffeine starts to break down at higher temperatures.

Who It’s For:
If you’re curious about the unique flavours of a specific region or love clean, complex brews, light roasts are your go-to. They’re especially well-suited for filter brewing methods like pour-over, Chemex, or Aeropress.

Medium Roast

Colour: Medium brown
Surface: Still dry, but slightly darker
Common Names: City, American, Breakfast Roast

Medium roasts are roasted just past the first crack, and occasionally into the very beginning of the second. This roast level strikes a balance between preserving origin flavour and developing deeper caramelised sugars.

Flavour Profile:
You’ll get a more rounded cup with medium roasts. Expect sweeter, nutty, or chocolatey notes, with a bit less acidity than a light roast. The flavours are often more familiar and comforting, making medium roast a popular choice for many.

Caffeine Content:
Slightly less than a light roast, but not enough to make a major difference in your energy levels.

Who It’s For:
Medium roasts are ideal for those who want a well-balanced coffee without sharp acidity or bitterness. They work across a variety of brewing methods, including both filter and espresso.

Dark Roast

Colour: Dark brown, sometimes almost black
Surface: Oily
Common Names: Full City, French, Italian, Espresso

Dark roasts are roasted well past the second crack. At this point, much of the original origin flavour is replaced by roasty, smoky, and sometimes bitter notes. The oils inside the bean migrate to the surface, giving it a shiny appearance.

Flavour Profile:
Expect dominant notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, caramel, and smokiness. Some dark roasts can develop ashy or burnt flavours if taken too far.

Caffeine Content:
Dark roasts tend to have slightly less caffeine than lighter roasts by volume, but the difference is small.

Who It’s For:
If you love bold, intense flavours, and enjoy your coffee with milk or sugar, dark roasts offer that classic, rich taste. They’re often used for espresso, where their lower acidity and heavier body shine.

Which Roast Is Best?

There’s no right answer. It depends on what you value in your cup. Here are a few guiding questions:

• Do you like vibrant, tea-like coffees with citrus or floral notes? Try a light roast.

• Want something balanced and sweet that’s easy to drink? Go for a medium roast.

• Prefer bold, full-bodied coffee that cuts through milk? Choose a dark roast.

Roast Level and Brewing Method

Roast level can also influence how a coffee behaves in different brew methods.

• Filter brew (V60, Chemex, batch brew): Light or medium roast

• Espresso: Medium or dark roast (though light espresso is gaining popularity)

• French press or moka pot: Medium to dark roast

• Cold brew: Medium or dark roast for smoothness

The Jaeger Morris Approach

At Jaeger Morris, we focus on medium roasts, carefully developed to bring out the best in each coffee’s natural characteristics. We believe in transparency and traceability, and we roast each batch in Berlin with attention to origin, processing, and flavour.

Our coffees change with the seasons, but our commitment to quality and integrity never does.

Final Thoughts

Understanding roast levels is a simple yet powerful way to refine your coffee choices. Whether you’re brewing at home or exploring a new café, knowing what to expect from light, medium, and dark roasts helps you find your flavour preferences and elevate your daily ritual.

Curious to taste the difference? Explore our current coffee range and find your next favourite roast.