Understanding Coffee Roast Levels: Light, Medium, and Dark
At Five Star Coffee, we believe great coffee starts with great understanding. One of the most common questions we get from customers is:
“What’s the difference between light, medium, and dark roast?”
Whether you’re new to specialty coffee or a longtime enthusiast, knowing how roast level affects flavor, body, and aroma can help you choose the perfect cup.
Let’s break it down.
☀️ Light Roast Coffee
Flavor Profile: Bright, crisp, and often fruity or floral
Color: Light brown, dry surface
Body: Light-bodied
Acidity: Higher acidity
Caffeine: Slightly more caffeine than darker roasts (by volume)
Light roasts are all about preserving the original characteristics of the bean. You'll often taste the origin—whether that's the citrusy brightness of an Ethiopia Yirgacheffe or the floral sweetness of a Central American variety.
At Five Star Coffee, our light roasts are roasted carefully to highlight delicate and complex flavors without overdeveloping the bean.
☕ Medium Roast Coffee
Flavor Profile: Balanced, smooth, often with hints of caramel or chocolate
Color: Medium brown, dry surface
Body: Medium-bodied
Acidity: Mellow, balanced
Caffeine: Slightly less than light, more than dark
Medium roast is the crowd-pleaser. It maintains some of the origin flavors while introducing the comforting roasted notes many people associate with coffee.
Our Kentucky Sunrise House Blend, for example, is a medium roast with a maple-honey sweetness, floral aroma, and a smooth finish—perfect for your morning cup.
🌑 Dark Roast Coffee
Flavor Profile: Bold, smoky, earthy, bittersweet chocolate
Color: Dark brown to nearly black, often oily surface
Body: Full-bodied
Acidity: Low
Caffeine: Slightly less than lighter roasts (but still energizing!)
Dark roasts develop deep, rich flavors during longer roasting times. While you lose some origin notes, you gain the classic boldness many people love.
Dark roast fans will enjoy our smooth, robust profiles without bitterness—because even with a darker roast, we prioritize balance and precision in every batch.
🔍 How to Choose the Right Roast for You
-
Love bright, fruity flavors? Go light.
-
Want a smooth, all-day drinker? Medium is your friend.
-
Crave a bold, punchy cup? Try dark roast.
👉 Pro Tip: You can experiment by brewing the same origin at different roast levels to discover what you like best.
🛒 Try Our Roasts and Taste the Difference
At Five Star Coffee, all our beans are roasted to order using a custom-built, computer-controlled roasting system. That means consistency, quality, and incredible flavor—every time.
➡️ Shop All Roasts
📦 Free delivery on orders over $17 in La Grange, KY and nearby areas!