light roast

noun

plural light roasts
: a coffee roast (see roast entry 2 sense 3) that is characterized by light brown coffee beans with a dry texture, high acidity, little bitterness, and high caffeine content and that is produced by roasting coffee beans at temperatures typically between 350-410°F (180-210°C)
Because subtle aromas and flavors have not been cooked out of the beans, light roasts will show individual notes like caramel, nuts, fruit, and cinnamon. Light roast also has a little more caffeine than medium and dark roasts.Lisa Kolb Ruland
While many people enjoy light roasts, some feel that the flavor profile is too extreme. If you're going to enjoy a light roast, you'll want to pay even more attention to make sure you get a high-quality bean.San Francisco Chronicle
compare dark roast, medium roast

Examples of light roast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then there's Texans' roasting preference, which is a light roast. Hannah Ortega, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Jan. 2024 This lends a brighter, fruitier flavor that lets the raw ingredients shine (kind of like light roast versus dark roast roast coffee). Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 19 Sep. 2024 Sweetness is the light roast and is inspired by a grandmother’s hug. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024 There’s even a new coffee blend from Zeke’s Coffee — dark and light roast combined with hints of fruit and nuts — to mark the occasion. Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2024 The findings also indicated that light roast coffee had the highest antioxidant activity—contrary to other findings with dark roast coffee and antioxidant activity. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 29 Oct. 2023 The team also saw that dark roast coffees produce much finer particles than light roasts when ground at the same setting. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Dec. 2023 Types of light roast coffees include cinnamon, half city, and light city. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 29 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light roast was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near light roast

Cite this Entry

“Light roast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20roast. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!