It’s a common misunderstanding that Italian, or “dark roast” coffees will be bitter in flavor and have higher amounts of caffeine than their lighter counterparts. It is interesting that in fact, the lightest roasts of coffee beans actually contain the most caffeine, while the darkest contain less caffeine and a more “sugary” flavor. The longer the “green” beans (or, seeds of the berries) are roasted, the more carbohydrates and fats are turned into aromatic, flavorful oils. A medium roast will be sweeter than a light roast, and the bean will still have a dry surface. Dark and darkest roast coffees will result in a shiny surface of the bean, very oily in the darkest roasts, and become sweet and even smokey in flavor. In every nation, our love of coffee dates back a long time; the first Venetian house was established in 1640. Not only do we love the taste, but coffee is a proven source of antioxidants in our diet, whether you drink it black, in a latte, cappucino, Americano, or other variation.

Happy brewing!