With their distinctive colours, roasts are the easiest way of distinguishing one coffee from another. The photographs below show the major divisions of coffee roasts. The terms in bold font are our preferred terms. We have also included other expressions that are used to describe the roast.

Very dark -- the darkest roast with a bitter-sweet flavour that tastes almost burned.

Italian roast

Dark -- these roasts have the rich, bitter-sweet flavour made popular by Starbucks.

After-dinner roast
Espresso roast
European roast
French roast
Neapolitan roast
Spanish roast

Medium dark -- these roasts are somewhat darker, less acidy, and smoother than the typical American roast.

City roast
Full city roast
Full roast
Light French roast
Regular city
Viennese roast

Medium -- The traditional American roast of coffee.

American roast
Brown roast
Regular roast

Medium light -- A slightly lighter roast than the traditional American roast.

Light -- a light roast with a sharp, acidy taste.

Cinnamon roast
New England roast
Pale roast