When you see terms like City Roast, Full City, French Roast, or Italian Roast on coffee packaging, you’re looking at traditional roast levels that describe how far along the beans went in the roasting process. These terms aren’t random; they’re part of a system coffee roasters have used for decades, sometimes measured with tools like the Agtron color scale, which assigns a number to roast depth for consistency.
Think of it like cooking a steak: you can choose rare, medium, or well-done. Coffee is similar. A City Roast is the “medium rare” of coffee, bright, fruity, and showcasing the bean’s origin, while an Italian Roast is the “well-done,” with bold, smoky flavors that overpower the original character.
In short: roast level tells you how your coffee will taste, how it will brew, and even how it feels in your cup.
Below is a quick reference chart showing how City, Full City, French, and Italian roasts compare in flavor, body, and appearance:
| Roast Term | Roast Level | Flavor Focus | Acidity | Body | Bean Appearance |
| City Roast | Light-Medium | Fruity, floral, original flavors | High | Light | Dry, light-medium brown |
| Full City Roast | Medium-Dark | Cocoa, caramel, nutty, slightly spicy | Medium | Medium | Dry, rich medium brown |
| French Roast | Dark | Smoky, bittersweet chocolate, bold | Low | Full | Slightly oily, dark brown |
| Italian Roast | Very Dark | Charred, burnt sugar, intense | Very Low | Very Full | Oily, nearly black |
What Are Roast Terms and Why Do They Matter
Roast terms like City or French describe how long and how hot a coffee bean is roasted. As coffee beans roast, their appearance, flavor, and structure change significantly. The longer you roast a bean, the darker it becomes, the more oils rise to the surface, and the more the original flavors of the bean get replaced by rich, roasty tones.
There are two major milestones during roasting:
- The first crack and
- The second crack
These cracks are audible popping sounds that happen as pressure builds inside the beans during roasting.
- First crack signals the beginning of light to medium roasts.
- Second crack marks the transition into dark roasts.
Each named roast level corresponds to where the bean is pulled from the roaster during this timeline. Understanding where your roast sits along this scale helps you choose a flavor profile that fits your preferences.
City Roast
Roast level: Light to medium
Pulled after: Just past the first crack
Bean appearance: Light to medium brown, dry surface
City Roast is one of the lightest roast levels commonly used in specialty coffee. It’s popular because it preserves most of the bean’s natural characteristics while developing enough sweetness to make the cup balanced and flavorful.
Flavor profile
City Roast coffees retain the flavor of their origin. You can often taste fruit, flowers, and bright acidity. Think berries, citrus, and floral aromas like jasmine or honeysuckle. You’ll also notice a fresh, tea-like quality.
Texture and body
Light to medium body with a clean finish. These coffees feel crisp and light on the palate.
Best for
People who enjoy complex, nuanced flavors and want to explore how origin affects taste. Ideal for those who appreciate subtle sweetness, brightness, and clarity in their cup.
Brewing suggestions
- Pour-over: Chemex, V60, or Kalita Wave to highlight clarity
- Aeropress for a punchier, cleaner result
- Cold brew with a long steep to bring out sweet and floral elements
Flavor example
Kenya AA roasted to a City level might reveal bright cranberry and blackcurrant notes. An Ethiopian Yirgacheffe at this level can deliver jasmine and lemon zest.
Full City Roast
Roast level: Medium to medium-dark
Pulled after: Just before or at the beginning of the second crack
Bean appearance: Medium brown, still dry or slightly glossy
Full City Roast takes the bean just a bit further, offering a wonderful compromise between maintaining original flavors and developing caramelized notes from roasting.
Flavor profile
This roast brings together the fruitiness and floral tones of the origin with sweet, toasty elements like brown sugar, cocoa, and mild spice. The acidity is softened, but not gone.
Texture and body
Medium body, smooth and balanced. These coffees feel rounded in the mouth without being heavy.
Best for
People who like some roast flavor but still want to taste the coffee’s original characteristics. This roast is very versatile and tends to appeal to a wide range of coffee drinkers.
Brewing suggestions
- Drip coffee machines for a dependable daily cup
- French press to emphasize body and sweetness
- Moka pot to enhance chocolate and caramel flavors
- Espresso for a smoother, less acidic shot
Flavor example
A Full City roast from Costa Rica might offer brown sugar, nutmeg, and sweet almond notes. A Sumatra Mandheling at this level may deliver cocoa, spice, and low acidity.
French Roast
Roast level: Dark
Pulled after: Deep into the second crack
Bean appearance: Dark brown, surface may be slightly oily
French Roast is the first level where the roast flavor begins to dominate the bean. It’s bold, rich, and offers deep chocolatey and smoky tones.
Flavor profile
Expect bittersweet chocolate, smoky undertones, roasted nuts, and even flavors resembling dark toast or burnt sugar. Origin flavors are mostly overshadowed by roast character.
Texture and body
Full-bodied and heavier. These coffees feel thick and rich with a syrupy texture and long aftertaste.
Best for
Drinkers who like strong, bold coffee with low acidity. This roast stands up well to milk, sugar, or flavorings.
Brewing suggestions
- Espresso machine for a bold shot with thick crema
- French press for a dark, full-bodied result
- Moka pot for intense stovetop espresso
- Cold brew for a deep, chocolatey iced coffee
Flavor example
A French roast from Sumatra will deliver deep earthy tones, hints of dark chocolate, and a smooth finish. It’s robust and satisfying.
Italian Roast
Roast level: Very dark
Pulled after: Past the second crack, almost at the bean’s structural limit
Bean appearance: Nearly black, very oily surface
Italian Roast takes things to the edge. These beans are roasted until the oils fully coat the surface, and the flavor of the roast takes over entirely. It’s often associated with traditional espresso blends used in Southern Europe.
Flavor profile
Expect bold, roasted, bitter flavors with smoky or even charred notes. Bittersweet chocolate, molasses, and hints of burnt caramel are common. Acidity is nearly gone.
Texture and body
Very full-bodied and heavy. It leaves a thick, rich impression on the tongue. Italian Roast creates a robust cup that cuts through milk easily.
Best for
People who like strong, powerful coffee without any acidity or brightness. Perfect for traditional espresso drinkers who prefer the deep, roasted style found in Italian cafés.
Brewing suggestions
- Espresso, especially with milk (cappuccino, macchiato, latte)
- Moka pot for strong stovetop espresso
- Café au lait (half coffee, half hot milk) for a creamy, rich balance
Flavor example
An Italian roast made from Latin American beans might taste of molasses, dark chocolate, and roasted wood with a smoky finish.
How to Choose the Right Roast for You
Choosing between City, Full City, French, or Italian roast depends on what you want your coffee to taste like. Some people prefer bright, vibrant cups while others are drawn to smooth, dark, and comforting brews.
- Choose City Roast if you want to taste the bean’s origin and enjoy fruity or floral coffee.
- Go with Full City if you want a sweet, balanced cup with some depth but still clean flavor.
- French Roast is best if you love strong, chocolatey, or smoky coffee.
- Italian Roast is for those who like deep, bold, almost bitter coffee with a very full body.
Also, consider how you brew your coffee. Lighter roasts shine in pour-over and AeroPress, while darker roasts are better in espresso, French press, or moka pot.
Final Thoughts
Roast names like City, Full City, French, and Italian aren’t just industry jargon—they are helpful guides that tell you what to expect in your cup. From fruity and bright to smoky and bold, each roast has a purpose and a personality.
At MAK Coffee, we honor every stage of the roast process, using careful techniques to bring out the best in each bean. Whether you’re looking for the clarity of a City Roast or the power of an Italian Roast, we’ve got the perfect profile waiting for you.
Explore our roast collection and discover your next favorite coffee today.