The coffee aisles these days have become overcrowded with terms that most of us don’t know much about. The various roasts are especially confusing when all you want is some good-tasting coffee. The two most common roasts that people are usually puzzled by are the French roast and the Italian roast. So, here is some information that can help you make a better choice the next time you have to choose between these roasts.
The Roast
So, where do the French and Italian roasts lie on the basic scale of light, medium, and dark? They are both considered dark. Having this particular knowledge gives you a basic idea of how they might taste, regardless of their origin.
Dark roasts come to life when coffee beans are heated until the second crack. This means the roasting is done until the beans are almost charred. As the roasting process for dark roasts is longer, the flavors in the coffee are also deeper and stronger.
Being dark roasts, both of these coffee variants possess smoky undertones in their flavor. However, no two coffees roasted at the same temperature have exactly the same taste. This is because the flavor and aroma of a coffee are also dependent on many other factors.
French Roast vs. Italian Roast
The name of these roasts doesn’t have to do much with their origin. French roasts don’t necessarily come from France and Italian roasts might not be roasted in Italy. It’s about the generalized roast level that was named after these countries decades ago and is still being followed today.
Both of these variants are roasted to such degrees of temperature that it becomes difficult to tell where they were cultivated. They tend to lose their origin in the extreme roasting process which they are subjected to. This makes it difficult to find much difference in their flavor after brewing. So, where does the difference lie?
Is One Darker Than the Other?
Definitely! This is where you can see some shred of variation between French roast and Italian roast coffee. Italian roast coffee is comparatively darker and richer than French roast coffee. This does not mean the French roast is not dark or rich; it is just less so than the Italian one.
The high temperatures make the oils in the coffee beans to come to the surface. Therefore, both Italian and French roasted beans have shiny exteriors due to the presence of oil. But the Italian roast is certainly oilier in comparison.
If you are new to dark roasts, you might not be able to put your finger on the difference between their tastes. Their individual flavors might take some time to align with what your palette is used to.
If you call yourself a coffee lover, then don’t confine yourself to just a few coffee variants. The world of coffee beans is colossal. You can treat yourself to several different kinds of roasts. So, why not start with French and Italian with your newfound knowledge about their similarities and differences?
Coffee coffee coffee! Nothing quite like a nice hot cup of joe in the morning 🙂 my name’s Nicole but on here I like to go by Java Jane. I am an avid coffee drinker and writer about all things Java related (and I’m not talking about programming for the millionth time!). Thanks for checking out my blog and always remember to stay grounded!