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Colombian Coffee vs French Roast
A head to head comparison between Colombian coffee and French roast coffee
Published December 20, 2021
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Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you're anything like me, coffee is your go-to morning beverage. With so many different kinds of beans and roasts to choose from, it can be hard to know which one to buy. Given that Colombia produces more than 50% of the world's coffee beans, I thought it would be interesting to compare two popular types: French Roast and Colombian Coffee.
Colombian Coffee vs French Roast
Do you like the taste of French roast coffee? If you do, then you're probably not a fan of Colombian coffee. At least, that's what most people seem to think. Colombia is known for growing some of the best coffee in the world, while French roast is known for being dark and oily.
So which one is better? In this blog post, I'll compare and contrast these two types of coffee to help you decide which one is right for you.
French Roast has a stronger flavor because it is roasted for longer periods at higher temperatures - this process gives it its dark color and strong taste. The result is an intense flavor with heavy notes of chocolate or cocoa (and sometimes smoke). If you prefer bolder flavors in your coffee then French roast will probably suit you better.
Colombian Coffee is roasted for a shorter time at lower temperatures and typically has more of a nutty flavor profile. It's also slightly acidic which makes it a good choice if you're looking for something with a bit more brightness.
Now that we've described each type, let's compare them head to head.
Flavour Profile
As I mentioned before, Colombian coffee has a more nutty flavor profile while French roast is known for its strong chocolatey taste. If you're not sure which one you prefer, I would recommend trying a cup of each and seeing which one you like better.
Carbon Footprint
French roast typically has a higher carbon footprint than Colombian coffee because it takes longer to produce and requires more energy to roast. Meanwhile, the process for roasting Colombian coffee usually only lasts about 10 minutes which means less energy is used and fewer emissions are generated. You can reduce your carbon footprint even further if you grind your own beans at home.
Caffeine
Both types of coffee have caffeine and they both contain more or less the same amount. Caffeine intake depends on your individual dosing and has nothing to do with the roasting process.
Price
The price depends mostly on the quality score of the coffee beans and not the roasting process or the origin per se. That is because there is a scoring system for coffee that ranges from 80 to 100, and a higher grade means a more expensive coffee.
To give you an idea of how this works, let's compare two popular types: arabica vs robusta . The difference between these types is similar to the difference between wine grapes – they're both still technically "coffee" but there are major differences in flavor and price depending on which one you buy.
Brewing
French roast is a great choice for brewing with a French press or an espresso machine. Colombian coffee is a good choice for those who want to make lighter roasts or drip coffee. It's also good for cold brewing which gives it a smooth, sweeter flavor.
Summary of the Comparison:
- For those who prefer bolder flavors, French roast is a good choice. It has a stronger flavor and is roasted for longer periods at higher temperatures.
- Colombian coffee is a good choice for those who want something with more brightness and nuttier flavor profile. It's also roasted for shorter periods at lower temperatures.
- French roast typically has a higher carbon footprint than Colombian coffee because it takes longer to produce and requires more energy to roast.
- Both types of coffee have caffeine and they both contain more or less the same amount. Caffeine intake depends on your individual dosing and has nothing to do with the roasting process.
- The price of coffee beans depends mostly on the quality score of the coffee beans and not the roasting process or the origin per se. That is because there is a scoring system for coffee that ranges from 80 to 100, and a higher grade means a more expensive coffee.
- French roast is a great choice for brewing with a French press or espresso machine. It's also perfect for making dark roasts like Vienna and Italian roasts.
- Colombian coffee is a good choice for those who want to make lighter roasts or drip coffee. It's also good for cold brewing which gives it a smooth, sweeter flavor.
- The difference between these two types of coffee is similar to the difference between wine grapes – they're both still technically "coffee" but there are major differences in flavor and price depending on which one you buy.
FAQs
Which one is better for making espresso or drip coffee?
Colombian coffee is a good choice for those who want to make lighter roasts or drip coffee. French roast is a great choice for brewing with a French press or espresso machine.
How do I cold brew Colombian coffee?
To cold brew Colombian coffee, start by mixing 1/2 cup of ground coffee beans with 2 cups of room temperature water. Let this mixture soak for 12-24 hours before straining it through a fine mesh sieve. Store the cold brewed coffee in a sealed container in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days.
What is the difference between arabica and robusta coffee beans?
The difference between these types is similar to the difference between wine grapes – they're both still technically "coffee" but there are major differences in flavor and price depending on which one you buy. Arabica beans are typically more expensive and have a smoother, sweeter flavor. Robusta beans are cheaper and have a more bitter taste.
However, when it comes to caffeine content and the bio-chemical makeup of these two types of coffee beans, they're practically the same. So if it's the flavor and price you're looking for in a cup of caffeine, go with whichever one is cheaper at the time.
What is the difference between light roast and dark roast?
The main difference between these two roasts is how long they're roasted (and at what temperature). Dark roasts like Vienna and Italian roasts are roasted longer at higher temperatures while light roasts like American roast or breakfast roast are only roasted briefly (for less than 10 minutes) at lower temperatures. Darker roasts also tend to have smoky or burnt flavors because of their extended period of roasting.
What is single origin vs blended origin coffee?
A-Single origin refers to a cup of coffee made entirely from beans sourced from one country while blended refers to a mix of beans sourced from several different countries and regions (all combined together). When you buy blended or single origin coffee, you're essentially buying the "best" qualities of every region or country mixed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Final Thoughts
The truth is that there's no such thing as the "best" coffee. We all have our own preferences, and both Colombian Coffee and French Roast are great in their own ways! So, if you haven't tried them yet, I recommend sampling a cup of each to see which one suits your taste buds best.
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
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