What Coffee Beans Are Typically Used for Espresso? What Should You Consider When Making Lattes with Light Roast Beans?

Generally, espresso is made using medium-dark or dark roast coffee beans because the roasted aroma of dark coffee pairs better with milk. Therefore, for most coffee shops or individuals with only one grinder, choosing coffee beans that are compatible with milk-based coffees—the highest volume drinks—is more important.

However, drinking the same beans with the same flavor for an extended time can become monotonous. In such cases, people often choose contrasting coffee beans to vary their taste. For example, light roast coffee beans that emphasize freshness and clarity.

Due to the significant differences between these two types, the extraction parameters required are completely different. If we use the parameters for extracting dark roast beans to extract light roast beans, the resulting coffee will likely fall short of being enjoyable. Many friends often ask FrontStreet Coffee why their light roast espresso tastes sharp and flavorless, or why it becomes unpleasant when mixed with milk—these are precisely the results of using incorrect parameters. Today, FrontStreet Coffee will share what parameters need adjustment or attention when using light roast coffee beans to make espresso. First and foremost is the most important factor—grind size.

1. Grind Size

When we switch from dark roast to light roast beans for espresso, the first adjustment needed is the grinder's grind size. Because their density and brittleness differ significantly, they require different grind sizes.

Dark roast beans are characterized by low density and high brittleness, resulting in finer particles compared to light roast beans at the same grind setting. Light roast beans, with their high density and low brittleness, produce coarser particles at the same setting. The size of coffee particles affects the resistance of the coffee puck, which determines the flow rate during extraction, and this flow rate affects extraction time. When coffee particles become coarser, the same amount of coffee will extract to the target liquid weight faster, reducing extraction efficiency and leading to under-extraction. (This can also easily cause channeling.)

Therefore, if we want to achieve proper extraction, we first need to adjust the grind finer until the grinder produces particles suitable for the current coffee beans (judged by extraction time). Typically, when FrontStreet Coffee switches from dark roast to light roast for espresso, we adjust the grind 2-4 settings finer.

2. Dose

The dose is the second aspect we need to consider! Because space needs to be left between the coffee puck and the shower screen to ensure even extraction, the amount of coffee used in the portafilter basket is limited—each has its optimal capacity.

Generally, when extracting coffee with light roast beans, the dose should be about 0.5g-1g more than with dark roast beans. Due to the lower density of dark roast beans, at the same dose, dark roast coffee grounds occupy more space in the portafilter basket than light roast grounds (also affected by grind size). If we want to use light roast beans to extract espresso, we can appropriately increase the dose to reduce the distance between the puck and shower screen, preventing channeling during extraction.

3. Time

Next is extraction time! Because light roast beans have higher density and are less easily extracted of flavor compounds, we need more time or a finer grind to achieve perfect extraction.

There's not much to explain here, since everyone is quite resourceful~ Generally, espresso extraction time for dark roast beans is controlled within the 25-35 second range, while for light roast beans, 28-40 seconds or even longer is acceptable (for regular extraction, not pre-infusion).

4. Liquid Weight

Besides adjusting time and grind, when extracting light roast espresso, we can also choose to reduce the coffee-to-liquid ratio—that is, increase the extracted coffee liquid weight. For example, if FrontStreet Coffee uses a 1:2 ratio for dark roast extraction, the coffee-to-liquid ratio for light roast coffee can be around 1:2.5.

The reason is simple: most light roast coffee beans have certain acidity due to their lighter roast. The acidity in coffee conflicts with the sweetness of milk, creating a jarring flavor combination that doesn't provide the complementary enhancement that bitterness does with milk's sweetness. Therefore, we need to increase the liquid weight or extraction rate to release more bitter compounds, thereby balancing the acidity.

5. Reduce Milk Amount

Besides acidity, there's another point to consider when using light roast coffee beans to make espresso drinks—the ratio of coffee to milk. Americano is fine, but if the espresso is intended for milk-based drinks like lattes or flat whites, it's best to reduce the amount of milk used.

The flavor of light roast coffee isn't as prominent as dark roast; it's a fresher, cleaner type. If we use too much milk, the milk flavor can easily overpower the coffee flavor, resulting in what becomes coffee-flavored milk. Therefore, if we don't want to drink a milk coffee with weak coffee flavor, FrontStreet Coffee suggests appropriately reducing the amount of milk when preparing~ Since everyone uses different coffee beans, FrontStreet Coffee won't provide specific data here. Everyone can first make adjustments based on these principles, then fine-tune according to taste, and a delicious light roast espresso will be easily achievable!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473