Light roasts keep gaining ground. So what is the best light roast coffee?
Light roast coffee is a treat for anyone after refined, fruity flavours and a higher caffeine level. Light roasted beans are getting more popular, especially with people who brew by filter methods such as pour-over, Chemex or AeroPress. Picking the right beans, the right origin and the right brewing method is what gets you the best cup. Here is what to look for in a light roast and which coffees are worth your attention. The question we are answering:
What is the best light roast coffee?
What light roasted beans taste like
Light roasts differ from dark roasts above all in flavour profile. Because the roast is shorter, the beans keep more of their natural aromatics: citrus, berries, flowers and spice. Light roasted coffees are usually specialty grade, meaning they scored above 80 points in a dedicated tasting assessment. Lower scoring coffees would not be pleasant roasted light, because it is the darker roast profile that tends to hide the defects in cheap beans. In specialty roasteries, light roasts usually sit above 85 SCA points.
Here are examples of coffees that deliver something out of the ordinary:
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Burundi Karira, a light roasted specialty coffee with grapefruit, redcurrant, apricot and honey. Washed processing keeps the cup clean, and a gentle acidity carries the fruit. Ideal for pour-over, AeroPress and filter coffee machines.
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Kenya Ngurueri AA, an intense, layered coffee led by blackcurrant, red fruit, lemon zest and floral notes. High quality washed processing and a high altitude origin give it that clear, fruity character.
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Ethiopia Yirgacheffe , the classic from the Yirgacheffe region, delicate and floral. Washed processing gives it a clean, subtle cup, ideal for filter methods such as pour-over and Chemex.
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Tanzania Ngila Estate Honey, a light roast from the Arusha region with red grape, redcurrant and caramel. Honey processing adds sweetness while keeping the fruit. Excellent through a pour-over or a filter coffee machine.
What to check when you buy a light roast
A few things are worth a look:
- Origin: different regions taste different. African beans (Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi) often show clear fruit and floral notes, while Central American coffees (Panama, Guatemala) can lean towards chocolate and spice.
- Variety: SL28, Bourbon and Heirloom all taste different. Red Bourbon from Burundi often shows citrus, while Kenyan varieties tend to be berry led.
- Processing: washed processing usually gives a cleaner, more defined cup, while honey and natural add sweetness and fruit.
- Brewing method: light roasts are at their best through filter methods, pour-over, Chemex, AeroPress or cold brew, which draw out their subtler aromatics.
There is more on this here:
How do you choose a good coffee? What to look for
The most celebrated light roast in the world: Panama Geisha
Among light roasts, the Geisha variety from Panama holds a place of its own. It is one of the most highly regarded coffees anywhere, known for a profile of jasmine, bergamot, mango and honey. The variety takes the top honours at the Best of Panama competition year after year, where prices reach record figures, above 10,000 dollars a kilogram. Panama Geisha is a coffee for people chasing the very top of the quality scale and a genuinely complex cup.
More detail here:
What affects the taste of coffee
In short: the best light roast is the one you like
Light roast coffee is an excellent choice for anyone who values complex, fruity flavours and wants the health benefits associated with higher caffeine and antioxidant levels. Pick beans from well regarded origins such as Kenya, Ethiopia or Panama and you can expect something special in the cup. Experiment with different brewing methods to get the full range out of a light roast.
