There’s a vast and rewarding world of coffees out there to enjoy. The more you understand coffee roasting and the delicious nuances it uncovers, the easier it will be to explore outside your coffee comfort zone. Read on to learn about our roast spectrum, from our smooth, light-bodied Starbucks® Blonde Roast to our rich, bold Dark Roast—and everything in between.
The Art of Roasting
Coffee beans are as distinctive as people’s tastes for it. Depending on where they're grown, they can look and taste differently. Coffee roasting is a heating process that turns fresh, green coffee beans into the fragrant dark brown beans we enjoy each day. It’s through roasting that a coffee’s unique aroma, acidity, body—and, of course, flavor—are cultivated. Each coffee bean is roasted to highlight these delicate flavor characteristics and to bring out their individual potential. It’s a craft that takes years of training and skillful dedication.
ROASTING AT STARBUCKS Part Art, Part Science
Many variables affect the flavor of coffee: where and how the coffee is grown, the type of bean, how it’s blended and roasted, and even the brewing process at home.
Roasting is an art that allows our master roasters to create flavor, while science helps to ensure consistency. Starbucks has been roasting coffee for half a century, and it’s these years of focus and expertise that have led to the Starbucks® Roast Spectrum. Each coffee bean requires a unique balance of temperature and time to reach its individual peak of aroma, acidity, body and flavor. Our coffees are classified by three roast profiles, so you can easily find the flavor and intensity that’s perfect for you.
Delicious from Starbucks® Blonde to Dark Roast
The three levels of our roast spectrum indicate the types of body and flavor you can expect. Starbucks® Blonde Roast coffees have a shorter roast time and lighter body for a smooth, flavorful cup. Medium-roasted coffees are well-rounded and balanced. Dark-roasted coffees feature a fuller body and rich, bold flavors.
Discover more about the Starbucks® coffees within each roast level and find your favorite here.
