Difference Between French & Colombian Roast

French roast coffee is the darkest roast for coffee beans, which results in a strong coffee. There is technically no "Colombia roast," but people generally take it to mean a medium roast.

Labeling coffee

Labels for specialty or gourmet coffees will generally specify the origin and the type of roast.

Origin

Origin refers to the country or region where the coffee is grown. The South American country Colombia (often misspelled Columbia) has protected that designation so it may refer only to coffee grown in that country.

Roasting

Roasting green coffee beans brings out their flavor. The longer they are roasted, the more the flavor results from the roasting.

Roasting classfication

While there are no firm standards, light roasting has generally been called cinnamon, half-city, or New England roast. Medium roast is called full-city, American, or regular. Dark roast is called Viennese, Italian or espresso. The darkest roast is called French roast.

"Colombian roast"

Colombian beans most often are sold in a medium roast to allow the bean flavor to come through. People often think of it as a roast because a Colombian coffee will be offered as a milder alternative to a French roast.

References

• Coffee Review