French Roast vs Italian Roast: What is the Difference?

Dark roast coffee was developed in the 1800s in western Europe. It quickly become a favorite and stayed popular ever since. There are many different varieties of dark roast coffees. Two of them are the French roast and the Italian roast.

If you are wanting to try a new dark roast coffee, you might be wondering which one to get. We will discuss the similarity and difference between French roast and Italian roast, so you can decide which one you should get.

French Roast vs Italian Roast:

Both French roast and Italian roast coffee are considered dark roast beans. The coffee beans get their name from the region where the type of roasting was created. This doesn’t mean they are grown and harvested in that specific country.

For example, a French roast coffee can be grown anywhere, but will use the roast level that originated in France. The same is true for an Italian roast coffee. We know they are both dark roast coffees, but they also have other things and common. Let’s get into how they compare.

Similarity of French Roast and Italian Roast Coffee:

The French roast and Italian roast coffees are both considered a dark roast style. Due to this face, they are roasted at high temperatures and for a long time. This causes the surface of the beans to have an oily sheen to them.

They also have a strong flavor profile that is features a smoky and burnt taste. While they have a lot in common, there are also some subtle differences between them.

Difference Between French Roast and Italian Roast Coffee:

While both of the beans feature a dark color to them, the Italian roast is slightly darker than the French roast type. Due to this, the surface of an Italian roast bean is oilier than a French roast bean. You will also find a difference in the internal temperatures of the two types of beans. They are both roasted at high levels.

However, an Italian roast reaches a maximum of 225 degrees. The French roast bean has an internal temperature that will go higher than 240 degrees. While the French roast gets to a higher temperature, an Italian roast bean is roasted for a longer amount of time.

When it comes to the flavor profile, the French roast has a strong and burnt, yet subtly sweet. The Italian roast because it is roasted for a slightly longer period of time has a stronger taste. It tastes burnt and bitter. The flavor of an Italian roast is stronger, but actually contains less caffeine in it.

Which roast type is used to make Espresso?

You can actually use either French or Italian roast beans to make an espresso. Espresso describes the process of making the drink, not the roasting style of the coffee itself. While it is commonly made using dark roast coffee, you can really use any type of roast to make one.

Normally, an espresso has a strong, smoky taste to it because it is made with dark roast coffee. Therefore, both a French roast and an Italian roast would give you the high-quality, delicious espresso you are looking for. 

What coffee drinks are made from dark roast beans?

After learning more about the two dark roasts coffees, you may find that they don’t interest you. However, you may be surprised that your favorite coffee beverage is made using them. Here are a few of the popular drinks that are made using dark roast coffees.

1. Mocha: the mocha is made using espresso coffee (which is made with dark roast beans), a combination of milk and cream, and some type of chocolate flavoring or syrup added to it.
2. Americano: this shouldn’t be a surprise since it is made with one or two shots of espresso and water.
3. Macchiato: this coffee is made with espresso and milk or cream. The added cream cuts down on the bitterness and burnt flavor of the espresso.
4. Cappuccino: this caffeinated beverage is also made using espresso and added milk or cream to it. The difference between a cappuccino and a macchiato is that the cappuccino adds more of the milk or cream to it. 

Whether you love or hate dark roast coffee, you may still want to buy some French roast or Italian roast coffee to make your favorite specialty drink at home.

Is there any difference in the nutritional value between French roast and Italian roast coffee beans?

As with everything else, the longer you cook or roast something, the fewer nutrients remain in the food. The same is said for coffee beans. As you roast the coffee beans, the acid inside of them begin to leak out. This acid is called chlorogenic acid and it is an antioxidant which helps to repair your body and protect you from diseases such as cancer.

The coffee beans also lose caffeine as they are roasted. This is why the darker roasts have a lower caffeine level than light roast coffee. Therefore, if you are wanting to get a higher nutritional level you will want to choose French roast over Italian roast coffee beans. While the difference isn’t extreme, every little bit helps especially first thing in the morning.

How to Make Your Own French or Italian Roast Coffee Beans at Home:

If you want to roast your own beans at home, you will either need to pay for a coffee roaster machine or use a popcorn maker. If you want professional quality beans, then a coffee roaster is highly recommended.

However, if you are just starting out and want to see if you enjoy the process and experience before spending the money then you can use a popcorn maker on the stove. In order to roast coffee beans, you will want to set your stove to low or medium heat and allow it to warm up for five to ten minutes before you begin the roasting process.

You will use the popcorn maker in the same way you make popcorn. Instead of adding the popcorn kernels you will add in coffee beans. You need to make sure that the coffee beans are constantly moving so that they don’t burn. This will also ensure that they are roasted evenly and bring out a stronger flavor profile. After approximately five minutes of roasting the beans you will hear a cracking sound.

Once you hear one cracking sound that lets you know that your beans are at a light roast level. When you hear a second cracking sound, you have reached a medium to dark roast level. If you are making a French roast, then you will want to remove the beans after the second cracking sound. If you are making an Italian roast, then you should leave them on for a few more seconds.

Once you get the hang of it, you can play with the timing to adjust things to your personal preference. It is important that you are listening carefully, so you don’t miss the sounds. Otherwise, you will end up with burnt coffee beans. 

Final Thoughts:

While the two roast styles have a lot of similarities between them. There are also some subtle differences that set them apart from each other. The main ones being that the Italian roast coffee is roasted for a longer period time which gives it a strong, more burnt and bitter flavor.

The French roast is slightly sweeter. Also, the French roast contains more caffeine than the Italian roast. Overall, the differences are subtle between the two types. We suggest trying both and seeing which one you enjoy the taste of more.

Related Articles:

Best Ways to Make Coffee While Traveling
What is the Most Widespread Type of Coffee?
Benefits of Drinking Coffee Every Day