Colombian vs. French-Roast Coffee

Coffee beans come in a variety of flavors and roasts from around the world.

Coffee comes in many varieties, characterized by darkness, acidity and more. Finding the right beans is a matter of trial and error, but knowing what to expect from certain roasts beforehand helps narrow down your search for the perfect brew.

Countries of Origin

French-roast coffee denotes a style of beans, not the actual country of origin. Though the style of French-roasted beans was popularized in France, the beans themselves do not come from there. Colombian coffee, on the other hand, actually comes from Colombia--one of the biggest coffee-producing nations in the world.

French-Roast Darkness

French-roast beans are particularly dark.

This is a particularly dark roast of coffee--about as dark as it gets without compromising flavor. An overdone French roast tastes bitter and smoky.

Colombian Darkness

Colombian coffee is characterized by a lighter, more acidic body.

Colombian coffee comes in a variety of roasts. However, most Colombian coffees are characterized by a mild flavor with a slightly more acidic taste than French roast. This is the result of the beans' being roasted less, making them lighter in color.

Variations

French and Colombian coffee beans found in an American store differ slightly from their reputations. French-roast beans in America tend to be slightly lighter than what you may find in a European cafe; European coffee drinkers prefer darker beans. Colombian beans, on the other hand, can be simple, clean and dull. Big-name brands of Colombian coffee typically fall into this category of slightly boring brews, whereas coffee from smaller farms and lots has more character.

Where to Start

Deciding which coffee is best depends entirely on your own personal taste. Due to its milder, less-burnt taste, Colombian coffee is a good starting point. From there, you can sample darker roasts until you find the level of acidity and body that you prefer.

References

• Coffee Detective: What is French-Roast Coffee?
• Coffees of the World: Countries Where Coffee Beans Are Grown
• Sweet Maria's: The Coffee of Colombia

Resources

• Cafe de Colombia: By Roast