☕Understanding Starbucks Coffee: Why Are the Beans So Dark and Oily?
If you've ever held a handful of Starbucks coffee beans and compared them to those from your favorite local artisan roaster like us, you might have noticed a significant difference. Starbucks beans are often darker and have an oily sheen, which can be quite surprising if you're used to the lighter roasts and dry texture of small-batch, artisan craft coffees. At Town Coffee, we value transparency and education, so let's delve into why Starbucks coffee beans have these characteristics.
The Roast Profile
Dark Roasts: A Signature Style
Starbucks is well-known for its dark roast profile, which they refer to as their signature roast style. This is part of their brand identity and has been a key factor in their widespread popularity. Dark roasting involves heating the coffee beans to a higher temperature and for a longer duration than lighter roasts. The result is a bean with a very dark brown color, almost black, which brings out bold, smoky flavors. Exposing beans to higher heat for longer will cook away the nuances and flavors that we strive for in craft coffee.
Why the Dark Roast?
1. Consistency Across Batches: Starbucks serves millions of cups of coffee daily around the world. A dark roast helps maintain consistency in flavor, masking variations that might arise from using beans from different sources. It also allows the use of lower quality/less expensive beans that may have flavor issues as these will be mitigated by the higher heat in roasting.
2. Extended Shelf Life: Dark roasting reduces the moisture content in beans, which can prolong their shelf life. This is crucial for a global chain that needs to ensure its coffee tastes the same in Tokyo as it does in New York.
3. Mass Appeal: The robust, intense flavors of dark-roasted coffee can appeal to a broad audience, including those who enjoy adding cream and sugar, flavored creamers and whipped cream as the strong flavor cuts through the additions.
The Oily Sheen: What It Means
Natural Oils from the Bean
Coffee beans contain natural oils, which are brought to the surface during the roasting process. The longer and hotter the roast, the more oils are drawn out. This is why dark-roasted beans, like those from Starbucks, often feel oily to the touch.
Impact on Flavor
The presence of surface oils can influence the flavor of the coffee. While some coffee enthusiasts appreciate the heavy, rich mouthfeel that these oils contribute, others find it overwhelming compared to the cleaner, more nuanced flavors of lighter roasts like craft coffee small-batch coffee.
Artisan Roasting: A Different Approach
Lighter Roasts for Complexity
At Town Coffee, we take a different approach. Our small-batch, artisan roasting process typically involves lighter roasts, which preserve the unique flavors and aromas of each bean. These lighter roasts highlight the distinct characteristics of the coffee's origin, offering a diverse and complex flavor profile. When we roast we strive to bring the best out of the bean and not roast everything to the same profile.
Freshness and Quality
Our focus on small batches ensures that our coffee is always fresh. We roast in smaller quantities, allowing us to pay close attention to each batch, fine-tuning the roast to bring out the best in every bean. This freshness is reflected in the dry, non-oily texture of our beans, which indicates a careful, precise roasting process.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences in roasting techniques and their outcomes can enhance your appreciation for the diverse world of coffee. Starbucks' dark, oily beans reflect their approach to achieving a consistent, bold flavor that appeals to a wide audience. In contrast, Town Coffee’s small-batch, artisan roasting emphasizes freshness and the unique, subtle flavors of each bean. We invite you to explore our range of roasts and discover the rich, intricate world of artisan coffee.
Thank you for being a valued customer and coffee enthusiast. Your curiosity and passion for great coffee inspire us to keep perfecting our craft: small-batch artisan roasting.
Happy brewing!
