Walk into any coffee shop and you'll see coffee labelled light, medium, or dark roast. But what do those words actually mean, and which one should you buy? This guide breaks down how roast level changes flavour, body and caffeine, and clears up one of the most common coffee myths along the way.
What does "roast level" mean?
Green coffee beans don't taste like coffee at all. Roasting transforms them, developing hundreds of aromatic compounds, caramelizing sugars, and driving out moisture. The longer and hotter a coffee is roasted, the darker it becomes and the more its flavour shifts from the bean's origin toward the roast itself.
A simple way to think about it: light roasts taste more like where the coffee came from. Dark roasts taste more like the roasting.
Light roast coffee
Flavour: bright, fruity, floral, tea-like. Higher perceived acidity (a pleasant, juicy brightness, not sourness).
Body: lighter and more delicate.
Best for: pour-over, filter, and black coffee drinkers who like complexity.
Try: Cloud Nine, with notes of stone fruit, jasmine and brown sugar.
Medium roast coffee
Flavour: balanced and sweet, with origin character still clear. Think honey, citrus, caramel.
Body: medium, smooth.
Best for: almost any brew method. If you're unsure, medium is the safest place to start.
Try: Golden Hour from Ethiopia, with citrus, jasmine and honey.
Medium-dark roast coffee
Flavour: richer and sweeter, with caramel and chocolate notes and some fruit still shining through.
Body: fuller.
Best for: drip, French press, espresso, and anyone who wants a crowd-pleaser.
Try: Bold Rush from Colombia, with caramel, red apple and milk chocolate.
Dark roast coffee
Flavour: bold, chocolatey, nutty, sometimes smoky. Low acidity.
Body: heavy and rich.
Best for: espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and anyone who takes milk or likes a strong, classic cup.
Try: Midnight Club from Brazil, with dark chocolate, walnut and brown sugar.
Does dark roast have more caffeine? (The big myth)
Many people assume dark roast is "stronger" and has more caffeine. In reality, it depends on how you measure your coffee.
When America's Test Kitchen tested this, they found:
- Measured by weight, light and dark roast had virtually the same caffeine.
- Measured by scoop (volume), the light roast had more caffeine, about 60% more in their test, because dark roast beans lose more water and puff up during roasting, so fewer of them fit in a scoop.
So if you scoop your coffee, a light roast will usually give you a little more caffeine. If you weigh it (which we recommend), the difference is minimal. "Strong" flavour and caffeine are two different things.
For reference, Health Canada advises that most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day, roughly three 8 oz cups of brewed coffee.
Light vs dark roast at a glance
- Acidity: light is highest, dark is lowest
- Body: light is lightest, dark is heaviest
- Flavour source: light shows origin, dark shows roast
- With milk: dark and medium-dark hold up best
- Black: light and medium shine
How to choose the right roast
- You drink lattes or add milk: go dark or medium-dark.
- You drink it black and like fruity or floral flavours: go light or medium.
- You want one coffee that does everything: go medium-dark.
- You have a sensitive stomach: many people find lower-acid dark roasts easier to enjoy.
- You don't know yet: taste them side by side.
That last one is exactly why we created The Flight: all four Sola coffees, from light to dark, in one box. Brew them the same way and you'll find your favourite fast. For brewing recipes for each roast, see our guide to the best coffee for each brew method.
Frequently asked questions
Which roast is the strongest?
Dark roast tastes the boldest, but it doesn't have more caffeine. By weight, light and dark roasts are nearly the same.
Is medium roast better than dark roast?
Neither is better. Medium roast keeps more origin flavour and brightness, while dark roast is bolder, richer and lower in acidity.
Which coffee roast is best for espresso?
Medium-dark and dark roasts are the most popular for espresso, especially for milk drinks.
Is light roast coffee more acidic?
Light roasts have more perceived acidity, which tastes bright and fruity. Dark roasts taste lower in acidity.
Which roast is best for beginners?
A medium or medium-dark roast is a great starting point because it's balanced and works with almost any brew method.