Roast Levels & Flavour: Finding the Right Coffee for Your Taste

Have you ever wondered why some coffees taste bright and fruity while others lean bold, rich, or smoky? The answer lies in many factors—from the coffee variety and processing method to how fresh from harvest we’re roasting them. But today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the most important elements: roast level.

This week, Alejandro was sample roasting some new coffees that just arrived. After a cupping session, one of the samples didn’t quite impress us—it tasted sour. But Alejandro paused, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Nope… it's not the bean—it’s the roast profile.” He adjusted the curve, tried again—and voilà! The coffee came alive. Balanced, vibrant, and absolutely delicious.

That moment inspired today’s message. Because at Crickle Creek Coffee, every roast is guided by purpose, curiosity, and a desire to bring out the best in each bean. Understanding how roast level affects flavour is a great step toward finding your favourite cup.

As we always say—coffee is personal, and we’re here to help you explore and enjoy the journey. Finding your perfect match is why we do what we do—because we know great coffee has the power to turn a simple moment into something extraordinary.

🔥 What Happens During Roasting?

As green coffee beans are heated, they undergo a series of chemical transformations. One of the most important is the Maillard reaction, where amino acids and natural sugars interact to form hundreds of aromatic compounds—adding richness, depth, and complexity to the final cup.

At lighter roast levels, you'll notice bright acidity and origin-driven flavours like citrus, berries, or florals. As roasting continues, those brighter notes begin to mellow, and the sugars caramelize further—introducing toasty, nutty, and chocolate-like tones.

Eventually, as the roast moves toward the second crack, carbonization begins to take place. Bitterness can increase, especially if the roast goes too far. However, when done skillfully, darker roasts can bring out bittersweet cocoa, molasses, and smoky depth without tasting burnt or harsh. Striking that balance is part of the art—and it's something we take pride in.

The Roast Spectrum

Medium Roasts
Roasted just after the first crack, medium roasts preserve much of the bean’s natural character—shaped by its origin, variety, and processing method. At this level, sugars begin to caramelize, but delicate notes remain intact. Expect a wide range of flavours from fruity and floral to nutty and sweet, with vibrant acidity and a clean, complex cup.

Medium-Dark Roasts
At Crickle Creek, we create post-roast blends—mixing beans roasted to both medium and dark levels. This gives you the best of both worlds: the smooth, balanced body of a medium roast with the deeper chocolate, caramel, or nutty notes of a darker roast. These blends are incredibly versatile and easy to love—especially if the coffee drinkers in your household have different preferences. (We meet in the middle... haha!)

Dark Roasts
Dark roasts are taken further, just to or past the second crack. At this stage, acidity drops significantly, and many of the origin-specific nuances give way to roast-driven notes like bittersweet cocoa, dark caramel, toasted sugar, and subtle smokiness. The oils migrate to the surface, giving the beans a glossy look and full-bodied richness.

☝️ You may have noticed that dark roasts are becoming rare among specialty coffee roasters, as the industry leans toward lighter profiles. But we know that a bold, dark brew brings comfort and familiarity to so many. That’s why we continue to roast a delicious lineup for our fellow dark roast lovers. You’re not forgotten!

Let Taste Be Your Guide

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to roast preference—only what brings you joy in your cup.

We currently roast 12+ single origin coffees, representing farms across Central and South America, Africa, and beyond. Each one is selected for its unique character and roasted with intention—whether we want to highlight vibrant fruit, smooth chocolate, or cozy caramel notes.

To make things easier, we’ve added filter-by-taste-group and roast-type options to our website. Now you can browse and filter to find your favourite. And remember—we’re always here if you need a recommendation.

From our family roastery to your mug,
– Adriana & The Crickle Creek Coffee Team