LIGHT ROAST : THE NEW KID ON THE COFFEE BLOCK
Coffee roasters around the world are ditching the old school mentality of coffee roasting and embracing the adventurous possibilities of light roast coffee. Light roasts take a huge step away from the traditional dark roast heaviness of harsh burnt flavours in the cup for a method of roasting that protects the beans origin notes and keeps the roasted flavour subtle. Gone are the days where every cup tastes the same, light roast has ushered in a modern coffee drinking era. The gentle approach to roasting opens an exciting world for both casual and serious coffee drinkers. As coffee drinkers dive deep into learning the “why” behind a favourite roast the opportunity for understanding the roles of origins in their cup is priceless.
IN THE ROASTER
These light brown beans keep their visibly unique markings while remaining oil free and matte. Roasting at 350-400°F, these beans reach their perfect roast just before first crack, sealing in all of their oils while keeping the body light and silky. Light roasts can be tricky to get right, with a lot of trial and error most roasters find their sweet spot and are able to produce consistent roasts that are full of flavour and fun.
LIGHT ROAST, BIG FLAVOUR
Light roasts are similar to a black tea in their light body and clean presence on the pallet. When enjoying your next cup, try and pick out some of the following notes:
Sugar: honey, vanilla, sugar cane, marshmallow
Fruit: berries, stone fruit, citrus
Floral: rose, jasmine, hibiscus
AN ADVENTURE IN EVERY CUP
Just like light roast is tricky to master while roasting, it can also be finicky to brew. Let’s talk acidity, many are afraid of acidity but it’s the key component in coffee, without it coffee just wouldn’t be the same. If your brew seems sour the culprit is typically a short brew time, leaving behind the sweet flavours can really effect your cup. You can increase brew time by adjusting grind size and the flow of water when doing a pour over, and change length of brew time if using a percolation method like Aeropress.
If your are new to light roast try a cup alongside a warm buttery croissant, a sweet or savoury scone, or a flaky fruit tart. Light roast is the perfect pairing any time of day.