French roast is a dark, full-bodied coffee with a strong flavor. People traditionally use it as a breakfast beverage or as an after-dinner drink.
To make French roast, you have to roast the beans longer than in other styles. This produces a darker bean with a stronger flavor and aroma.
The Origin
The term “French roast” refers to dark-roasted beans, which tend to be on the dark side of the color spectrum. However, it does not mean that the beans were grown or roasted in France These beans originated from a roasting style developed in France in the 1800s.
Temperature control was much more difficult in the 19th century, so many roasters used the term “French roast” to describe dark-roast coffee.
The names of these different types of coffee reflect the tastes and traditions of Europeans in the nineteenth century when dark roasted coffee was all the rage.
They were followed by Italian roast – almost as dark as French roast – and then Vienna Roast – a staple of Viennese cafes renowned for their great coffee.
The Roasting Process
To make French roasted coffee, one has to roast beans until they darken a lot. They also must reach an internal temperature of 464°F (240°C). When this happens, the beans will have an oily sheen to them.
You hear the first crack when the beans release steam during the roasting process. When the inner structure of beans begins to break down, you will hear the second crack. When this happens, their oils will move to the surface.
The Taste Profile
Although there is a lot of variety among French roast coffees, they do share some commonalities in terms of their taste. We typically roast French roast at a high temperature. This brings its essential oils to the surface of the bean and gives it a distinctively roasted and smoky flavor.
French roasts can also feature fruity, berry-like notes and citrus flavors. Indonesian French roasts often have an earthy umami flavor that complements their dark roasting level.
French Roast Coffee Compared to Dark and Light Roasts
Dark French roast coffee is a dark roast that’s similar to regular French roast but oilier and with a stronger charred flavor. Spanish roast coffee is the darkest roast available.
On the other hand, the espresso roast is just a little lighter than the French roast. It is one of the most common roasts for espresso shots. Full roast is the second lighter roast, which includes High Roast, Continental Roast, and Vienna Roast.
Caffeine in French Roast Coffee
It turns out that the level of caffeine in a cup of coffee is dependent on both the roast and the brewing time.
For a sense of where French roast coffee fits in, consider this: An 8oz cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine.
A cup of decaf coffee contains about 3 milligrams of caffeine, whereas a single espresso has about 63 milligrams. This is because the longer we roast the beans, the more caffeine they burn off.
