Light roast, medium roast, and dark roast are the standard roasts, although some brands offer extended options such as medium-dark, extra dark, and other variations. In this piece, we focus on a standard light roast coffee and some of the best light roast coffee to give a shot. Keep reading to learn more!
Best light roast coffee
Now that you know what lightly roasted coffee is and what to consider when buying let’s look at some of the best light roasts to try. Ready!
Peet’s Coffee, Colombia Luminosa, Light Roast
Specifications
- Ground or whole bean: Whole bean coffee
- Certifications: Kosher
- Origin: Colombia, Ethiopia
- Varietal: Arabica
Having been in the industry for more than 50 years, Peet’s Coffee truly understands what type of light roast coffee suits its customers. It roasts in small batches (in its nine roasters) by hand and does whatever it takes to ensure its products get to the market on time.
It uses sweet and bright beans from Ethiopia and Huila, Columbia. We can guarantee that you will surely love this light roast. Give it a shot!
Pros
- All the blends are offered in different aromatic flavors
- Three types of blends are available
- 100% Columbian Highland grown coffee
- Grown 100% responsibly
Cons
- Only available in 12 oz bag
- Shipping only available in the U.S.
Real Good Coffee Co. Breakfast Blend Light Roast
With over 30 years’ experience, Real Good Coffee doesn’t shy to say it make coffee that is good to sip, good for the planet, and good for your wallet. It even goes a step ahead to back this claim with 100% recyclable packaging.
This blend, which is made with 100% arabica beans comes in strong with a chocolatey and creamy taste that tops off with something pleasantly citrusy. The beans are sourced from Central and South America, although roasting and packaging take place in Seattle.
What we really like about this roast is that it works well with all coffee machines. So, you don’t need to get a new brewer to prepare a perfect morning cup.
Pros
- Can be shipped worldwide
- The aroma is of milk chocolate and cream which has more preference
- Can be used with all types of coffee brewers
Cons
- International shipping size is smaller than necessary
- Only available in one size.
Caribou Daybreak Coffee
For every sip you make, you will crave badly for the next one if you settle for this blend that combines a fruity and caramel mix with a nutty aftertaste. It is perfect for preparing morning cup that will leave you craving for more.
Caribou uses the beans (sourced across the world) to prepare these beans which are roasted in small batches and tasted severally along the way to create the best tastes.
It is 100% Rainforest Alliance certified, which affirms its production using water conservation methods and sustainable farming methods, as well as protecting wildlife and forests.
Pros
- The fruity and nutty flavor can be experienced in every sip
- Available in two sizes – 12 oz and 20 oz
- The basic Daybreak flavor is Floral cherry
Cons
- Only available in the U.S.A
- Not available for international shipping
AmazonFresh Just Bright Ground Coffee
This roast is packed shortly after roasting and is perfect for preparing a cup that will leave your taste buds thankful. All their beans are fried expertly in separate batches to reveal a peak of aroma and taste.
If you prefer a brighter, more complex cup with sweetly balanced acidity, you will truly fall in love with this light roast. It has a crisp and clean flavor. What we loved about this product is Amazon’s use of three packages purposively to protect the grinds from too much air. Is that not a good thing? Of course, it is!
It is purely Arabica coffee that is grown in Central and South America. It is packed in the USA, and you are guaranteed a refund if you are unhappy with your purchase.
Pros
- Available in three types, yet most sold is the whole bean
- 100% original Arabica coffee
- Crisp and clean flavor
Cons
- International shipping not available
- Widely acclaimed as a morning coffee
Kicking Horse Coffee, Hola, Light Roast
For the 20 years Kicking Horse has been kicking, it has been known for its whole beans, which are roasted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The roast is 100% organic, shade-grown, fair trade, and kosher certified. So be sure you will be sipping some of the best coffee in the world.
The beans are sourced from Central and South America, meaning you will smell the aroma of cocoa powder, rich nougat, and brown sugar. And when you take a sip, you will taste notes of juicy red fruit acidity and a creamy honey body. Like Real Good Coffee, you can use any brewer to prepare your java with this one, but it is recommended for pour-over, drip machine, and cold brew.
What is light roast coffee?
As the name suggests, light roast coffee is roasted for less time. This coffee is subjected to between 356-401°F. It only gets hotter from there as the beans get darker and darker. Note that there are many variations depending on where coffee beans are grown and at what elevation.
Cracks determine roasts, with the first crack signaling the beans are approaching edibility. Most light-roast coffee beans are removed from the roasters before they reach the first crack, although some versions hit that crack and are then removed. So if your whole beans show this crack, they are more deeply roasted.
How to pick the best light roast coffee
With various market variations, you may be unable to pick the right product. We have wrapped up a few things to guide you when buying.
Origin
If you like the taste of specific light-roasted coffee, you need to find the country of origin and continue buying coffee from that region so that you never get disappointed. Luckily, the origin of light coffee beans can be more easily traced based only on their taste.
For example, Ethiopian light roasted beans have fruit notes and a mild flavor. South American roasted beans have a milder flavor and are less aromatic than others, and Columbian is best suited for floral notes.
Coffee beans
The type of coffee beans plays a key role, especially if you want to sip the best coffee. It is, therefore, crucial to purchase light roasts prepared from the highest quality coffee. If you plan to roast yourself, buy freshly picked coffee beans (green coffee beans), which are normally more affordable.
The roasting process
As mentioned above, lightly roasted beans are subjected to between 356-401°F. Anything that exceeds that makes the beans hotter, which means either a medium or darker roast.
Date of roast
The closer your roast is to its expiry date, the more likely it will taste unusual. To avoid disappointment, always buy light roasts within a week after roasting.
Trivial party
Small batches of coffee beans attract more attention during roasting and are less mass-produced. This means you are more likely to get a nice, light roast for your beans.
Brand
There are reasons why it is always advisable to go for the best brands. You are always guaranteed the highest quality beans have been used. Not to mention that any guidelines regarding planting, cultivation, roasting, and packaging have also been followed.
Price
While some variations exist in the prices of light roast coffee, we recommend you budget in advance to make things easier.
Don’t fall for marketing tricks
Marketers can go to any length to make you buy even the wrong products. So be careful when shopping, otherwise you will end up kicking yourself.
Packaging
Packaging plays a critical role in sealing the aromas and flavors of lightly roasted beans. If poorly packed, there is a high possibility you will not enjoy your brew. So be careful about the packaging!
We hope we made it easier for you to pick the right light-roasted coffee.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
