Light vs Dark Roast Caffeine, Choosing a Roaster, and Roast Levels Explained

In this episode of the Half Mile Coffee Podcast, Jason and Nicole tackle three big coffee questions:

☕ Which roast has more caffeine — light or dark?

🏪 How do you choose the right roaster when starting a café?

🔥 What’s the real difference between light, medium, and dark roast coffee?

We break down myths, talk science, and share practical advice for coffee lovers, home brewers, and aspiring café owners.

👉 Whether you’re curious about caffeine content, exploring wholesale partnerships, or just want to understand roast levels better, this episode has you covered.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more coffee insights, roasting knowledge, and behind-the-scenes conversations from Half Mile Coffee.

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

0:00 – Intro

0:15 – Episode overview: 3 coffee questions we’ll answer

1:11 – Do light or dark roasts have more caffeine?

1:20 – Coffee plant species: Arabica vs Robusta

2:21 – Altitude’s effect on caffeine levels

4:11 – Decaf processing and caffeine sensitivity

5:38 – Roast process, weight loss, and caffeine extraction

8:05 – Grind size, water temperature, and caffeine in the cup

9:20 – Scoop vs weigh: caffeine differences in brewing

11:03 – Espresso vs drip: where caffeine hits hardest

12:26 – Key takeaways on caffeine and roast

13:08 – How to pick a roaster when starting a café

14:29 – Drink-centric vs coffee-centric cafés

16:15 – Price vs quality and customer experience

18:00 – Certifications, sourcing, and roast quality

20:12 – Knowing your numbers and market realities

22:57 – Customer-first vs roaster-first partnerships

24:03 – Multi-roaster café models

25:29 – Different types of café experiences

26:50 – Passion for coffee vs running it as “just a business”

27:01 – What’s the difference between light, medium, and dark roasts?

27:22 – Roast color and Agtron scale

28:41 – Flavor, body, and mouthfeel differences by roast level

29:33 – Sensory perspective: sweetness, body, and intensity