Understanding Roast Profiles
When you sip a cup of coffee, there’s a world of flavours waiting to unfold, ranging from fruity notes to rich chocolate undertones. The roast profile, or the level of roasting, plays a crucial role in shaping these flavours. At Bean Sculpt, each roast profile is a carefully crafted decision designed to bring out the unique character in every bean we source.
What is a Roast Profile?
In coffee roasting, a roast profile is the journey the beans go through from green to roasted, encompassing time, temperature, and other variables. The roast time, for a small batch roaster can be anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes, in the temperature range of 180 and 250 degrees Celsius. Each profile results in a different flavour outcome and aroma. Generally, roast profiles are divided into three main categories:
- Light Roast
- Medium Roast
- Dark Roast
These profiles are not just about colour but reflect how much of the bean’s natural character is preserved or transformed. Each profile can highlight specific tasting notes, giving us the chance to sculpt flavours that shine through in every cup.
Light Roast: Bright and Complex
Light roasts are like the canvas that preserves the bean’s natural qualities. By roasting at a lower temperature and for a shorter time, the bean’s inherent flavours remain front and centre. This means the original tasting notes, often fruity or floral, are highlighted.
At Bean Sculpt, we choose a light roast for beans with vibrant, fruity notes, like our Ethiopian varieties, which might have hints of strawberry jam or even floral undertones. Light roasting is ideal for showcasing the terroir, the origin of the coffee and creating a bright, complex flavour experience.
Common tasting notes in light roasts could include citrus, floral, berry, and other bright, high-acidic flavours.
Medium Roast: Balanced and Sweet
A medium roast is the sweet spot for balance and flavour. As the beans roast longer and reach higher temperatures, sugars start to caramelize more and rounding out the acidity. At Bean Sculpt, we use a medium roast for beans with diverse, layered notes, allowing both the bean’s origin and developed flavours like chocolate or caramel to come through.
Medium roasts offer a harmonious balance, often appealing to a wide audience. This profile is ideal for coffee drinkers looking for a well-rounded, nuanced cup without the intense acidity of a light roast or the bolder bitterness of a dark roast.
Common tasting notes in medium roasts include caramel, nuts, milk chocolate, maple syrup, and light fruitiness.
Dark Roast: Bold and Intense
Dark roasts take the beans to a higher temperature, resulting in a bolder, more intense flavour. The bean’s natural notes give way to deeper, richer flavours with smoky or chocolaty undertones. Dark roasts are less about origin and more about developing robust flavours.
At Bean Sculpt, dark roasts are chosen sparingly for beans that can handle boldness without losing all complexity. While this profile is popular with those who enjoy a full-bodied coffee with low acidity, we lean towards it selectively to retain the unique characteristics of our beans.
Common tasting notes in dark roasts include dark chocolate, smoky, earthy, and bittersweet notes.
How We Choose the Right Roast Profile at Bean Sculpt
Choosing a roast profile is about highlighting what’s best in each coffee. With every batch, we experiment to bring out flavours that feel true to the bean’s origin, as well as Bean Sculpt’s mission of low-carbon, artisanal roasting. We take pride in choosing profiles that stay true to each harvest’s unique qualities, allowing you to experience the intricate journey each coffee has taken to reach your cup.