The Truth About Coffee Roasts: Light, Medium & Dark
Navigating the world of coffee can feel like cracking a complex puzzle. Light, medium, dark—what does it all mean? Which one’s best? And do these terms even matter anymore?
At Fox Coffee, we believe roasting is more than just a process—it’s an art. The same coffee can taste dramatically different depending on how it's roasted, and that’s where skill and experience come into play.
Let’s break down what each roast level really means and, more importantly, how it shapes the coffee in your cup.
Roasting 101: Finding the Sweet Spot
Think of roasting coffee like baking a cake. Too little time, and it’s raw. Too much, and it’s burnt. Coffee follows the same principle—we aim for a precise point where sweetness, acidity, and body are in harmony.
At its core, roasting is about applying heat, time, and airflow to develop flavour. The endpoint of this process determines whether a coffee is light, medium, or dark.
Can Any Coffee Be Roasted Light or Dark?
Technically, yes. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Different coffees shine at different roast levels. As roasters and green bean buyers, our job is to find the best match—some coffees sing as a light roast, while others reveal their full potential at a medium or dark roast.
Light Roast: Bright, Crisp, and Complex
Light roasted coffee is roasted for the shortest time, reaching around 207°C. These coffees are known for their high acidity, vibrant flavours, and clarity—you’ll often find fruity, floral, or tea-like notes in the cup.
They’re typically single origins, designed to showcase the skill of the farmer and the unique terroir of the region. If you love tasting the subtle nuances of a coffee, this is your go-to.
👉 Best brewed as pour-over, AeroPress, or black filter coffee to truly experience its complexity.
(And yes, ‘light roast’ and ‘filter roast’ are just two names for the same thing! 😉)
Try a lighter roast with a Single Origin, Shop the Range Here
Medium Roast: The Balanced Choice
Medium roasts are taken to a higher temperature than light roasts, allowing for a balance of body and acidity.
These coffees tend to be versatile, approachable, and easy to drink—smooth enough for black coffee yet structured enough to hold up in milk-based drinks.
👉 If you’re after a reliable, everyday coffee with a broad range of flavours, medium roast is where it’s at.
Try our medium roasted Crafted Blend coffee HERE
Try our medium roasted Hunter Blend HERE
Dark Roast: Bold, Rich, and Smooth
Dark roasts reach up to 220°C+. developing deep, caramelised flavours.
Many people assume dark roasts are always bitter, but that’s an outdated idea. With modern roasting precision, a dark roast can be strong yet smooth, bold yet balanced.
Dark roasts are often seen as sweeter because the natural sugars in the bean caramelise during roasting—a process known as the Maillard Reaction. They’re full-bodied, rich, and buttery, with low acidity and a even slightly smoky finish.
👉 If you love a big, bold coffee that works beautifully with milk, dark roast has come a long way from its bitter past.
Try our medium roasted Dusk Blend HERE
Which Roast is Best?
Honestly? It’s all about personal taste.
- Light roasts push the boundaries of what coffee can taste like—bright, complex, and layered.
- Medium roasts offer a comforting, balanced cup that pairs well with anything.
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Dark roasts deliver bold, rich flavours with a smooth finish.
In Australia, dark roasts have often been unfairly dismissed due to old-school bitterness. But with modern roasting software, we’ve refined the approach—today’s dark roasts are strong yet sweet, with an easier “sweet spot” for home brewing.
Meanwhile, medium roasts are enjoying a resurgence, offering a perfect middle ground. And light roasted coffee continues to push quality standards, thanks to innovations in harvesting and processing.
Final Thought: Coffee is an Experience
Roast levels aren’t a rigid science—they’re an interpretation. What one roaster calls "medium" might be "light" to another. The best way to know what you love? Try them all.
At Fox Coffee, we obsess over finding that perfect roast for each coffee, ensuring you get the best possible experience in every cup.
Ready to explore? Let’s take your coffee game to the next level.