Intro to roasts –
This analysis is for espresso based milk drinks such as the likes of cappuccino, latte, macchiato, flat white, cortado and affogato (although affogato is made up of espresso and ice cream, yet our roast type analysis applies for it too). Another thing to be noted here is that macchiato has the most intense coffee flavor of the lot. Whereas latte has the least intense coffee flavor, and a pronounced milky taste. All other drinks lie in between them. Intensity depends on coffee to milk ratio, and that’s a different thing. What described in this blog is…as to how “different coffee roasts” blend in with milk and which is the most suitable roast with milk.
Note : Before beginning this story, let’s tell you that coffee roasted to the darkest end of the roasting spectrum (very very dark roast) tastes kinda overly bitter and burnt. So, that’s not something to consider drinking. One step below that come dark roasted beans. That’s where the roasting deadline must be. More about that is explained in the next paragraph.
Dark roasted coffee beans –
As for its characteristic flavor, let’s know the kind of coffee beans which are used and discuss it now. So, they are the same ones that make an espresso, and most preferred beans are the dark roasted ones, any given day. They are at the far end of the coffee roasting spectrum, lying between medium roasted beans and extra-dark roasted beans. An expertly prepared milky coffee drink has its flavor, texture and strength, spot on! All the layers (along with sugar) need to be stirred, to get that evenness throughout the drink from top to bottom.
So when the coffee is dark roasted (this is the traditional roast to make a milky coffee drink and this roast is flourishing even today) then the following cases arise. Milk blends wonderfully with the chocolatey and nutty notes of dark roasted espresso, and brings the overall bitterness of the drink to an optimum. Fruity, floral, or citrus notes etc in the cup are absent. Instead, what we get here is the dark, deep milky coffee taste. So summing it up, a milky coffee drink made from dark roasted espresso beans) is not acidic, but is well rounded, and has a smooth flavor. It’s kinda chocolatey, nutty and caramelly, it’s optimally bitter and sweet… it’s delicious magic!!!
A medium-dark roast is also quite good for a cappuccino. The flavor will be like a good middle ground between medium and dark roasts.
Medium roasted coffee beans –
Now, if we’re traveling to the center of various coffee roasts, we’ll be finding medium roasted beans (this roast has come into the scene for making a cappuccino a few years ago with the rise of specialty coffee shops). Medium roast, as the name says is mediumly roasted…..less than a dark roast, and more than a light roast. When this roast is taken to build a milky coffee drink, then the cup profile is very different.
Well, there may be few people who prefer this roast for a milky coffee drink, but this is mostly preferred a bit less than a dark roast, as the classic nutty, chocolatey, caramelly bittersweet notes which most people are fond of, are found to be less in this than that of a dark roast. Slight origin characteristics like fruity or floral notes may be found in the cup. Along with these notes, it has a bit of acidity. All in all, it has got the perfect balance, when taken black or as an espresso, and is wonderful. But for a milky coffee drink, not so much. So finalizing this roast, one thing to be said about it is that if a dark roasted milky coffee is present, then most of the times this is a second choice for us! End of story.
Light roasted coffee beans –
Look, using lightly roasted beans for espresso and regular black coffee, is very popular. Third wave roasters are offering some of the finest light roasted coffees from different origins and they can be enjoyed. But here, discussion is about something completely different, okay. It’s the combination of light roasted coffee and milk that’s being talked about. And this is explained as follows.
These light roasted coffee beans are roasted for the shortest period of time. And if anybody would pose a question regarding using lightly roasted coffee beans to make a milky coffee drink, by now they probably would’ve known what we’re gonna say, right? Since we rarely prefer medium roasts to build milky coffee drinks, just forget about recommending light roasts! Here, the classic bold and dark coffee flavor that people have been accustomed to is completely absent. Fruity, flowery and/or citrusy notes are to be present to a certain degree, so is acidity (a bit more when compared to a medium roast). There may be someone, somewhere, who would use a light roast for a milky coffee, but with due respect….. Somehow, a light roast with its fruity notes etc and more acidity, just doesn’t feel right when combined with milk. The dark roasted milky coffee drink is just gonna blow this roast away.…It’s gone with the wind.
Conclusion –
So, that’s it. A detailed explanation as to how the different roasts taste when combined with milk has been given. Summing it up, our first preference is dark roast, anyday. Next preference, or sometimes just for a change, we’ll go with a medium roast. And if that is also not present (no other option), then last scenario is using light roasted beans for making milky coffee drinks.