Serious question, does anyone actually like the taste of light roast?

Three years ago in Seattle, I was at a cafe that only served light roast pour-overs. The barista, a guy with a serious mustache, told me I'd 'finally taste the real coffee.' I tried it and it was so sour it made my face hurt, like drinking hot lemon water. Last month, I gave it another shot at a new place in town, thinking maybe my taste changed. Nope. Still tasted thin and acidic, with none of that deep, roasty flavor I love from a good medium or dark roast. I feel like everyone online acts like light roast is the only 'pure' way to drink coffee, but I just don't get it. It always feels like a letdown. Has anyone else tried to like it and just can't?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_nelson511mo ago

That "hot lemon water" feeling is exactly why I gave up on light roast. I just keep a dark roast at home for when cafes only have the sour stuff.

the_harper1mo ago

Light roast gets a bad rap. Once you taste the fruit notes, fiona_nelson51, it's hard to go back to just burnt and bitter.

terry_mitchell29d ago

Used to be a total dark roast snob too, honestly. Then I tried this one light roast from Ethiopia at a shop after reading a post from @the_harper raving about blueberry notes. Tasted like a straight up blueberry muffin, no joke. Still not my daily driver, but I get the hype now.