Best Dark Roast Coffee
Full-Bodied, Rich-Tasting Brew
Seasoned coffee drinkers often have their favorite coffee roast, but: have you ever wondered what the taste difference is between light, medium, and dark roast brews? Darker roast coffee beans go through significant change during the roasting process, soaking in the heat, delivering a flavor profile that's often rich, thick, and full of body. Darker beans also have a lower caffeine content than light and medium roasts. The longer roasting process strips away some of the bean's natural caffeine.
The Perfect Coffee Beans
The beans selected for darker roasts are somewhat different than those used in light roasts or medium roasts. Beans grown at higher altitudes are often hardier, allowing them to withstand the roasting process and not burn or char. Our Arabica beans are born in regions where quality coffee beans thrive, including the following locations around the world:
- Colombia
- The Island of Sumatra
- Kenya
- Various countries located in Central America
The Roasting Process
Dark roasted beans change the most during the roasting process: from raw, green coffee bean to dark, cracked coffee ready for brewing. This is because the roasting process creates physical and chemical changes in the bean, and it takes a tremendous amount of work to get the perfect roast level. In fact, if you've ever had a cup of dark roast that tasted burnt or ashy, chances are it was over-roasted.
So, how do you get these beans to become the best dark roast?
- The roasting process begins by bringing the beans to very high temperatures until they are nearly 428°F internally.
- Oils start to appear on the roasted beans the longer they have roasted and the higher the temperature. Dark roasted beans should have an oily surface. If not, it's likely been over-roasted.
- During the roasting process, the beans crack once they hit a specific temperature causing them to grow larger.
Flavor Profile and Qualities of Dark Roast Coffee
If you love a little dairy with your java, a darker roast blend is probably for you. Dark roast coffees have a smoother, less acidic flavor, blending well with cream. Some of the most popular flavors found in dark roast blends include:
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Maple
One of the biggest fallacies is that dark roast contains more caffeine than lighter roasts. In fact, it's the opposite: light roast brews contain more caffeine while medium roasts sit in the middle. Other aspects include:
- Strong aroma
- Low acidity
- Lower caffeine content
- Rich brewed color
Pairing Options For Dark Roasts
The low acidity level of dark roast blends makes it the easiest to pair. Some of the most popular pairings include dark chocolate, dishes with a spicy flavor, and cream-based dishes. If you're looking for a contrast pairing, try drinking your brew with dishes with a bitter taste, such as sour cream, cheese, yogurts, or cheesecake.
Brewing Methods
As an avid coffee drinker, you might be brewing the same way with the same method every day - and that's okay! However, to get the most quality flavor out of your cup of joe, you might want to follow these methods and tips:
- Pour Over Brewing Method: Use finer grounds like table salt for smaller pour-over cones/brewers and sea salt-sized grounds for larger brewers like Chemex. Pour-over brewing methods make it easier to experiment to get the subtle flavors out of each brew.
- French Press Brewing Method: Brewing with a French Press starts by letting grounds soak in hot water for 4-5 minutes. When done correctly, this causes a more robust, bolder flavor. Break out your grinder and try it out!
- Automatic Drip Brewing Method: This is your standard, easy-to-use coffee maker. You'll want to use medium-fine grounds when brewing your morning joe in one of these. Also, watch the amount of water you're using so you aren't missing out on the delicious flavor.
Experiment with Dark Roast Recipes
If you're looking to escape your routine of a simple dark roast, mix things up with these easy recipes to try at home. Level up your favorite blend today!
Make Your Own Froth (No Fancy Equipment Needed!)
Dark Roast Isn't For You?
No problem. Learn more about our best light and medium roast, along with flavor profiles, products, and recipes. Hopefully, this will help you find your favorite roast.
Ready to find the best dark roast coffee?
Get your balanced, perfect cup of coffee from Caruso's. By using beans from all over the world and roasting them until we get the right amount of flavor from each crack, Caruso's makes the best dark roast coffee.
