Coffee Pairing: Dark-Roasted Blends
posted in Coffee Pairing |
Coffee Pairing: Dark-Roasted Blends
By: Mackenzie Schieck
These are beans from multiple regions, blended and roasted together to create a uniquely flavored coffee.
Body: refers to the weight of coffee on your tongue. Some coffees are very light and crisp, while others tend to linger. Body ranges from light to full.
Note: while body usually correlates to strength, it is possible for a coffee to be strong in flavor, yet lighter in body.
Acidity: this sounds like a bad thing, right? But, it actually has nothing to do with being sour or bitter; acidity simply refers to the brightness or tang of a coffee and ranges from high to low.
Get to know characteristics of these dark-roasted blends so you can begin pairing them with complimentary foods to bring the best out in each.
That’s Strong Coffee
In addition to the main regional coffees mentioned in Coffee Pairing (see sidebar), there are a few notable dark-roasted blends you’re likely to find at most coffee shops. Look out, though–these are not your grandmother’s instant flavor crystals:
Espresso Roast: these are usually dark, robust blends with a caramel-like sweetness. Espresso roasts are specifically created to stand up to the intense process of brewing espresso, but can be brewed using other methods with great results.
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Body: full
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Acidity: low
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Flavor Pairings: caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom
Try these recipes for pairing with Espresso Blends:
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Italian Roast: the name refers to the way in which the coffee is roasted: very dark, as is popular in Italy. Italian roasts are a blend of beans from different regions, but often have those from Latin America in common.
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Body: Full
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Acidity: Low
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Flavor Pairings: chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, nuts
Try these recipes for pairing with Italian Roasts:
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French Roast: these blends are roasted even darker than the Italian Roast. While French Roasts are not actually full-bodied, their flavor is strong and intense, often with a smoky quality–they have a relatively small, but loyal following.
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Body: light to medium
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Acidity: low
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Flavor Pairings: toasted almonds, toasted hazelnuts, caramelized sugar
Try these recipes for pairing with French Roasts:
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