A Modern Guide to Roast Levels in High-End Specialty Coffee

Understanding roast levels is one of the great joys of specialty coffee. From ultra-light Nordic-style roasts to deeper, chocolate-forward medium profiles, each roast level unlocks different expressions of sweetness, acidity, structure, and fruit complexity.

At Torque Coffees, we roast to enhance, not overpower—because every coffee already contains an entire world of flavor shaped by its people, place, plant, and process.

Below is a clear, accurate breakdown of the major roast categories used in modern specialty coffee today—complete with Agtron numbers, ColorTrack ranges, typical roast times, and weight-loss (WL%) references—plus real examples from Torque’s lineup.

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☀️ Ultra-Light Roast (Nordic-Style)

Agtron (Gourmet): 75–90
ColorTrack: 110–125
Typical Roast Time: 7:30–9:00
Weight Loss: 10–12%
Flavor Profile: Explosive acidity, high fruit clarity, delicate aromatics, tea-like body.

Ultra-light roasts are engineered to showcase the purest expression of a coffee’s terroir. These roasts emphasize organic acids, florality, and high-toned fruit flavors, with very little caramelization.

Torque Example: Bonbom — Jhon Vergara (Colombia)

 
What it shows: Punchy tropical fruit, sparkling acidity, and bright sweetness. Perfect for the ultra-light obsessive who loves complexity and explosive aromatics.

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🌿 Light Roast

Agtron (Gourmet): 65–75
ColorTrack: 100–110
Typical Roast Time: 8:30–10:00
Weight Loss: 12–14%
Flavor Profile: Citrus, berry, florals, crystalline sweetness, lively acidity.

Light roasts balance expressive fruit with structured sweetness—ideal for single origin coffees with strong intrinsic character.

Torque Example: Marcelessa — Juan Diego De La Cerda (Guatemala)

What it shows: Sweet citrus, soft stone fruit, and floral lift—all supported by the unique elegance of the Marcelessa hybrid cultivar.

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🍯 Light-Medium Roast

Agtron (Gourmet): 55–65
ColorTrack: 90–100
Typical Roast Time: 9:30–11:00
Weight Loss: 13–15%
Flavor Profile: Balanced fruit + sweetness, slightly deeper caramel tones, softer acidity.

Light-medium roasts broaden the sweetness curve while keeping fruit expression intact.

Torque Example: Honey Drop

 
What it shows: Honey sweetness, soft fruit tones, round texture, and excellent daily-drinker drinkability—without sacrificing clarity.

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🍫 Medium Roast

Agtron (Gourmet): 45–55
ColorTrack: 80–90
Typical Roast Time: 10:30–12:00
Weight Loss: 14–16%
Flavor Profile: Cocoa, caramel, deeper sugars, softened acidity, heavier body.

Medium roasts introduce more developed sugars and heavier structure while maintaining the integrity of the origin.

Torque Example: Cocoa Drop

What it shows: Rich cocoa, warm sweetness, mellow fruit undercurrents—perfect for those who want depth without going dark.

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🎯 Torque Coffees: Our Roast Philosophy

At Torque, we roast to amplify a coffee’s natural character—not to hide it.

• Our focus is firmly within the light-roast spectrum, where clarity, sweetness, and fruit-forward complexity shine brightest.

• We do not chase arbitrary roast levels or trends.

• Each coffee is roasted to unlock its own unique depth, vibrancy, and structure.

The result?
Brightly expressive, fruit-forward coffees bursting with citrus, berry, and floral energy—crafted for brewers who appreciate the full artistry of the cup.