If you’ve bought different brands of coffee, you might have noticed that they differ a lot in flavor. Each person has a different taste in coffee. Hence, we’re here to help you pick the right coffee roast so you can enjoy your coffee break to the fullest.
4 Tips for Picking the Right Coffee Roast
Some people don’t pay attention to how their coffee is as long as they get it on a daily basis. However, most coffee lovers are particular when it comes to how their coffee roast is picked. It affects the flavor and how it affects your body.
If you want to get into picking the right coffee roast, here are some tips you can follow.
Know the Roasting Date
If you’re getting your coffee from the supermarket, then you’re not getting the most out of your coffee. While coffee doesn’t have an expiration date, it does degrade in quality as time passes and goes stale. It is due to its reaction with oxygen, moisture, and heat.
If you’re not getting a premium coffee like a dark roast 100% kona coffee, then it’s best to pick coffee roast with a roasting date of no later than 3 weeks. It will still be considered as “fresh”. Consuming coffee less than 3 weeks its roasting date gives the best outcome for extracting aromatic oils, sugars, and soluble.
Hence, it’s great if you can find a place that sells coffee roast that shows the roasting date. If you live in a city or near a city, it shouldn’t be hard to find one. It’s even better if you live near a coffee plantation and get your coffee from there yourself.
Know Your Coffee Beans
Choosing the kind of beans will give off different flavor and for different coffee concoctions. It may also affect the health benefits you get from coffee. Hence, it’s important to know your coffee beans so you can pick the right coffee roast for you.
- Light – light roasted coffee beans have distinct bright and acidic flavors. With light roast, you can make any kind of coffee brew. You also don’t have to add sugar and milk to add sweetness and creaminess.
- Medium – a slightly darker roast and slightly lower acidity, medium roasted coffee beans have a balanced flavor. They’re great for filter-style coffee brews and can be used as blends for cold brews and espressos. If you want a balanced bittersweet flavor, this is your best option.
- Medium-dark – in between dark and medium roast, that has a slightly robust flavor with a bit of nuttiness. They’re great for pressure brewers like espresso. If you want to enjoy a strong flavor with the option of mixing in milk or sugar, then this is for you.
- Dark – dark roasted coffee beans have the strongest flavor. It has the lowest acidity level. Dark coffee is best paired with immersion brewing styles. If you don’t mind having flavors like dark chocolate, nuts, and cacao in your coffee, then this is for you.
Decide Between Single Origin or Blend
Single origin are coffee beans originating from a single estate. It generally has its distinct flavor. Some of the more renowned single origin coffee beans are from Malaysia. Other examples are coffee beans from Kona, Nicaragua, and Tanzania. Single origin does not have any other coffee beans used.
A blend is a mix of single origins to combine their flavor. They generally have complex flavors and are generally heavier compared to single origin.
The Right Coffee Maker Matters
The quality of coffee you make is also limited to what coffee maker you use. Here are some of the common coffee makers and what coffee roast you should pair them with.
- Plunger – medium roast
- Paper filter or cold brew – light roast, medium roast, single origin
- Stove top – medium to dark roast, medium to heavy blends
- Portable filter maker – espresso or filter roast
- Espresso machines – medium roast and some light roast
- Espresso machines (latte) – medium roast with rich blends
These are just recommendations of what coffee roast to use. You can always blend and experiment on your own and see what flavor and setup is best for you. If you can’t afford getting that premium coffee making machine, then don’t and make do with what you have.
Conclusion
Picking the right coffee roast lets you enjoy the flavor you prefer. Combining energy boost with some stimulating flavor will really help you start your day. Hence, it’s important that you know how to choose and make your own coffee.