City roast is a coffee roasting method that falls between light roast and medium roast on the roasting spectrum. It’s often considered a medium-light roast and is known for preserving many of the natural flavors and characteristics of the coffee beans.
Here are the key characteristics of a City roast coffee:
Color: City roast coffee beans are roasted to a light to medium brown color. They are lighter in color compared to medium roast beans and have a clean appearance with no visible oil on the surface.
Aroma: City roast coffee typically has a bright and vibrant aroma. The aroma often includes floral, fruity, and nutty notes, and it can be quite fragrant, allowing the coffee’s inherent characteristics to shine.
Acidity: City roast coffee usually retains a moderate to high level of acidity. This acidity is often described as bright and lively, contributing to the coffee’s overall complexity and flavor profile.
Body: The body of City roast coffee is moderate, falling between the light and medium roast profiles. It offers a pleasing balance between a light, tea-like body and a heavier, full-bodied coffee.
Flavor Profile: City roast coffee is known for its complex and nuanced flavor profile. It allows the distinct origin flavors of the coffee beans to be more pronounced, with notes of fruit, floral, and sometimes even a slight hint of chocolate or caramel.
Bean Character: This roast level preserves many of the unique characteristics of the coffee beans, such as the terroir and varietal notes. Coffee drinkers can often taste the distinct qualities associated with the coffee’s place of origin.
Sweetness: City roast coffee tends to have a pleasant sweetness, which can range from delicate to moderately pronounced. This sweetness is derived from the natural sugars in the beans and the caramelization that occurs during roasting.
Versatility: City roast coffee is versatile and can be used with various brewing methods, including pour-over, drip brewing, Aeropress, and French press. It’s well-suited for those who enjoy a balance of acidity, body, and complex flavors.
Caffeine Content: City roast coffee retains a relatively high caffeine content compared to darker roasts, as the beans are not roasted as long, which helps preserve more of the caffeine.
In summary, City roast coffee is a medium-light roast that strikes a balance between preserving the unique flavors of the coffee beans and achieving some caramelization and complexity through roasting. It offers a bright and complex flavor profile with moderate acidity, making it a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the distinct characteristics of different coffee origins.
