The world of coffee is immense. There are so many different beans and blends and roasts, it can be hard to figure out what to try and what you may like best. Although you could just buy a variety of different types, that could get really expensive; especially if there are some that you really don’t like. To help make the process easier and more enjoyable it is first important that you understand the different kinds of roasts.

Roasts are typically divided into darker and lighter roasts; although there are some all along the spectrum.

The lightest roast is a cinnamon roast and it has more of a baked flavor. It is also very dry. New England roast is a common roast in eastern portions of the United States. It is also a light roast; although its flavor is not as grainy, it is still somewhat sour.

The medium roasts are American light, City medium, and Full City . These roasts are ideal for bringing out other flavors in the coffee, such as caramel or chocolate. All are widely used throughout the country.

Finally there are the dark roasts. Italian or Dark French and Spanish are the darkest and have a strong nearly burned flavor. French or Espresso roast is often used by baristas in espresso machines to create the strong drink.