Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
The Difference between French and Italian Roast
Let's discuss the difference between French and Italian roast coffee to see which one is for you!
Published December 26, 2021
Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
There is no one perfect roast for any situation. The best coffee beans are the ones that suit your taste, so that’s why it’s important to know the difference between different roasts in order to choose what will satisfy your taste buds.
Today, I will dive into explaining all about two very popular roasts: French roast and Italian Roast. So, let’s begin!
French vs. Italian Roast: An Overview
French roast coffee is a popular style of coffee that originated in France. It is characterised by a smooth and rich taste. Italian roast coffee has an earthy and robust flavor and usually a smokier aftertaste that the French roast.
Tthe differences between these coffees are in their roasting method and blend of beans. The French method uses longer roasting times with a lighter roast, while the Italian method uses shorter roasting times with a darker roast;
The Italian roast is often favored for brewing espresso shots prepared using only dark-roasted beans, roasted slightly less than medium coarseness, which creates more surface area for extraction and therefore more flavor from each bean's oils.
What is a French Roast?
A French coffee Roast is a medium roast that is not as dark as an Italian coffee roast. It has a rich balanced flavour and is good for espresso or filter coffee. It has a light body, with a light body and juicy acidity.
The French coffee Roast actually originated in France in the 1800s and by the 1820s was known to have been roasted on large planches over charcoal fires. The method was then perfected in the 1950s when roasters started using gas ovens to create more consistent roasts.
Over time, it has evolved into what it is today - from being a dark roast with smokey flavour to becoming lighter and sweeter with more acidity than other types of beans. French roasting is characterized by an even browning and high-grade oils which give the beans a light body and juicy taste.
What is an Italian Roast
One of the darkest roasts of coffee, an Italian Roast has a rich burnt flavour and a smokey aftertaste. It is preferred for espresso because it produces a thick full body. Allegedly, it was named Italian because the popular espresso drink was invented in Italy.
When it comes to roasting, this style of coffee is primarily roasted passed the "second crack" meaning the coffee beans pop twice in the roaster machine. This is achieved by roasting at a lower temperature for longer periods of time and using lower air flow through the roaster to achieve more natural smokey flavours.
French vs. Italian Roast: Comparison
French and Italian roasts are similar in terms of brewing process. These two types of roasts are roasted differently, which gives them a different taste and aroma.
In the case of French roast, beans are heated at medium or low temperatures for an extended period of time, with the result being a coffee that has a smoky, earthy flavor with notes of caramel or even honey.
As for Italian roast coffee beans, beans are heated to high temperatures for only about 30 seconds before they are then cooled down to get browned flavors such as chocolate or espresso.
The French roast is a lighter, more nuanced coffee than the Italian roast. The French roast has a cleaner, more subtle flavor profile with less of the intense bitterness and body found in the Italian roast.
The coffee lovers are usually divided into two camps - those who love the robust flavor of the Italian coffee and those who prefer the delicate flavor of the French coffee. So, where do you stand?
FAQs
Is french roast stronger than dark roast?
There is no clear answer to this question because it really depends on the roaster. The charm of French Roast is actually from its dark roast, which has a lot of smokey and bitter flavors.
The choice of coffee beans as well as the roasting process can make a difference in taste between two different types of coffee beans that are same in color. Some roasters use lighter pressure to get light-colored beans, which will give off a sweeter taste with less intensity when compared to darker roasted beans that are charred after the roasting process.
French roast is actually dark roast because it’s roasted longer than most other roasts, but it was called “French Roast” because of its popularity in France. It has a stronger body, smoky flavor, and charred aftertaste than most other types of coffee.
Is french roast coffee strong?
French roast coffee is one of the most popular types of coffee because it gives a bold and intense cup of coffee. The bold taste can be overwhelming for people who are used to milder coffees with minimal flavour. It is also perfect for espresso and moka pots and pairs great with creamy milk, making the resulting drink have a fuller taste.
What's the difference between dark roast and espresso?
The difference between dark roast and espresso roast is the roast level. Dark roasts are typically roasted to a higher level of development where as espresso roasts are roasted to a lower level of development.
Dark Roasts: The most common type of coffee beans that can be found in many grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes around the world. Dark roasts have a light caramelized sugar that gives it an almost burnt taste.
Espresso Roasts: The coffee beans are roasted much more lightly than dark roasts so they don't burn off any of their natural oils or sugars but can still develop some darker flavors like caramel or toffee.
Many coffee shops use espresso roast since it is typically less bitter than dark roast which can appeal to customers who want something sweet without too much bitterness like iced lattes and espressos.
Final Thoughts
The difference between French roast and Italian roast is a matter of personal preference. Some people like their coffee strong, whereas others like it mild and creamy. Some people might be more inclined to drink something with more acidity and lighter flavour, which is the reason why some prefer French roast.
Others might want a stronger taste, so they would go for Italian roast. The taste of your coffee is entirely up to you because the process of roasting comes down to personal preference. Personally, I like to mix it up!
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
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now