Does dark roast coffee have more caffeine than light roast?

No. Light roast coffee actually has slightly more caffeine by volume (scoop for scoop). The longer roasting process burns off moisture and slightly degrades caffeine content, making light roast higher in caffeine and brighter in natural acidity.

What is the difference between Washed and Natural coffee?

Washed coffee has the fruit flesh stripped with water immediately after harvesting, producing a crisp, clean cup with distinct floral/citrus acidity. Natural coffee dries in the sun inside the intact fruit cherry, imparting deep blueberry, strawberry, and sweet winey flavors.

All Decoders/Coffee Roast Profiles

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Roasting Science

Coffee Roasting Levels & Flavor Profiles

Wondering whether to buy Light, Medium, or Dark Roast? Explore bean roasting chemistry, caffeine content myths, surface oils, and Washed vs Natural processing methods.

Specialty Coffee Roast Visualizer

Coffee Roasting Levels & Flavor Profiles

Did you know Light Roast has more caffeine per scoop than Dark Roast? Click roast levels to explore internal bean roasting temperatures, acidity, surface oils, and ideal brew methods.

Medium Roast

410°F – 428°F (210°C – 220°C)

Flavor Notes & Aromas:

Caramel, milk chocolate, toasted almonds, and sweet stone fruit. Balanced sweetness, acidity, and aroma.

Acidity:Medium / Balanced

Caffeine Content:Medium

Ideal Brewing Gear:Drip coffee makers, French Press, Siphon, Cold Brew.

Coffee Processing Methods: Washed vs. Natural vs. Honey

How the coffee fruit cherry is removed before roasting dictates up to 50% of the coffee's cup profile.

Washed / Wet Process

The outer fruit pulp is stripped off with water before drying the seeds on raised beds.

☕ Clean, pristine, highly transparent, highlighting bright floral and citrus acidity.

Natural / Dry Process

Ripe whole coffee cherries dry in the sun for weeks before mechanical hulling.

☕ Intensely fruity, heavy body, notes of strawberry jam, blueberry, red wine, and dried figs.

Honey / Pulped Natural

Skin is removed but sweet sticky mucilage ('honey') is left clinging to the bean during drying.

☕ Sweet honeyed brown sugar, balanced creaminess, and subtle apricot acidity.