What flavor profile is typical of "light roast" coffee?

Light roast coffee is known for its bright, acidic, and fruity flavors. This flavor profile emerges because light roasting preserves the natural characteristics of the coffee beans, allowing the inherent flavors specific to the origin of the beans to shine through. The lighter roast level results in a higher acidity that contributes to a lively and refreshing taste. Additionally, the nuanced fruity notes can often be attributed to the unique varieties of beans used and their growing conditions.

In contrast, other roasting levels, such as dark roasts, typically develop a more intense, smoky flavor due to the longer roasting time, which caramelizes the sugars and alters the acidity. Thus, the light roast's distinctive flavors set it apart from richer, chocolatey, nutty, or creamy profiles associated with other roast levels.