We’ve recently introduced a dark roast and had a few questions from our community asking us to explain the difference between the Espresso and the Dark roast. They are different styles and produce distinct flavours and characteristics in the final cup. Here's the difference…:
Roasting, Arts and Sciences
Experienced roasters rely upon a balance of both art and science. Dark roast refers to a level of roast where the coffee beans are roasted for a longer duration, resulting in a darker colour and more pronounced, robust flavours.
Relative to the dark roast, crafting an Espresso roast, leans more heavily on the art of roasting. For one bean, the Roaster chooses the roast level that will result in a final roast profile that is best suited for the Espresso brewing method, and Espresso-based drinks like a Americano or Flat White. As a result, the roast can be medium to dark roast, but is determined by the roaster based on the flavour profile of the bean. So, while an Espresso roast can be a dark roast, it does not mean that all espresso roasts are dark roasts.
Flavours
Dark roast coffees have a bold, smoky, and rich flavour. The longer roasting process caramelises the natural sugars in the beans, which can lead to a bittersweet taste with low acidity. They may exhibit flavours of chocolate, nuts, or toasted grains.
Espresso roast, although it can be a dark roast, is often characterised by a balance between richness, sweetness, and acidity, with flavours that are conducive to the concentrated and intense nature of espresso shots. Our Honey Process, Espresso Roast has been developed as rich roast with a chocolatey body and red berry sweetness. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Brewing Method
Dark roast coffee can be brewed using various methods such as drip brewing, cafetière, or pour-over. It is not limited to espresso brewing alone, and therefore should be ground to suit the brewing method.
Espresso roast, as the name suggests, is primarily intended for preparing espresso shots. It is finely ground and brewed under high pressure using an espresso machine to extract the flavors and oils from the coffee grounds, resulting in a concentrated and intense shot of coffee.
Versatility
Dark roast coffee can be enjoyed in different forms, including black coffee, espresso-based drinks (like lattes or cappuccinos), or blended with milk or cream. It offers a robust and bold flavor that can cut through the milkiness of a latte, for example.
Espresso roast, due to its specific roast level and flavor profile, is particularly suited for espresso shots and espresso-based beverages. However, it can also be used in other brewing methods if you enjoy a bolder and more intense cup of coffee.
On one hand, coffee flavours can be evaluated against a range of metrics to result in a Q score, preferences are entirely personal. The key is to explore different coffees, experiment with brewing methods, and find the roast level and flavour profile that you personally enjoy the most.
We offer both espresso and dark roasts for you to taste and enjoy.
All from our farms in Colombia.
