Light roast: Roasted to before the first “crack,” Light roasts retain a remarkable amount of their origin flavors and aromas. They have a light brown-tan color, lacks oil on the roasted beans and have the highest acidity (the good kind).
Medium roast: Roasted to just before the second “crack”, medium roasts have a balanced taste and are considered to be the most common roast. They are darker brown in color than a light roast and look richer.
Dark roast: Roasted to the second crack and beyond, dark roasts have a smoky, bitter taste. The flavor comes from the roasting process. They are dark brown, sometimes almost black, in color.