What is Vienna Roast Coffee?

Vienna roast coffee is a dark roast. The beans are dark reddish-brown with a visible surface oil sheen. It is lighter and milder than Italian roast but darker than medium roasts. Vienna roast coffee has 95-105 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup. Vienna and French roasts are dark roasts, but Vienna roasts keep some original flavors and have a balance of acidity, sweetness, and body. It tastes like roasted nuts and dark chocolate with hints of brown sugar and caramel.

Vienna roast coffee blends, like those with Brazilian, Central American, and African beans, make smooth espressos. Single origin beans from high altitudes in Guatemala, Kenya, or Tanzania are good for drip coffee or a French press. To find your best blend, consider flavor profile, type of beans, freshness, and reviews.

What is Vienna Roast Coffee?

Vienna roast coffee is a dark roast featuring dark reddish-brown beans with a visible surface oil sheen. It is lighter and milder than French roast but darker than medium roasts. Vienna roast is achieved by roasting coffee beans at a high temperature (430°F–440°F or 221°C–227°C) for 10–11 minutes, reaching to the beginning of the second crack. The SCAA roast color classification defines Vienna roast as having an Agtron level between 35 and 30, the lightest and mildest of dark roasts. Vienna roast falls between espresso roast (medium-dark) and French roast (very dark).

Vienna roast coffee and "Vienna coffee" are not the same. Vienna coffee, a traditional drink, combines brewed coffee with whipped cream, offering a rich, creamy texture. Vienna roast coffee, on the other hand, is defined as beans roasted to a dark level with a balance of acidity and sweetness. It is aromatic and has universal appeal due to its balanced flavor profile, known for its richness without the carbon-smoky flavor associated with darker roasts like French roast. Other names for Vienna roast coffee, are "Viennese roast", "continental roast", and "European roast".

What Does Vienna Roast Coffee Mean?

Vienna roast coffee means a level of roast, not a specific bean or origin. It is darker than a Full City roast but lighter than an Italian roast. Vienna roast is characterized by a oily surface and a bittersweet, smoky flavor with hints of chocolate. Vienna roast coffee beans are often used for espresso blends and cold brew blends, but can also be brewed as drip coffee. The meaning of the name Vienna roast reflects its origins in Vienna, Austria, a city with a coffee culture dating back to the 17th century.

While Vienna roast describes a specific coffee roast level, its meaning varies among roasters due to inconsistent terminology standards. Different roasters can produce Vienna roast coffees with varying tastes, smells, and appearances. For example, Christina Meinl, Head of Innovations at Julius Meinl Coffee Group, describes "Vienna roast" as medium to medium-dark. Michael Baccellieri, owner of Longbottom Coffee and Tea, defines their Vienna roast as equivalent to dark roast coffee beans.

What is the Difference between Vienna Roast and French Roast?

Vienna roast and French roast are both dark roasts, but they differ in their specific roasting level and resulting flavor profiles. On the 8-point SCAA scale, Vienna roast falls between moderately-dark and dark, while French roast is darker, ranging from dark to very dark. This difference in roasting is reflected in their colors: Vienna roast has a deep brown color, while French roast is even darker, ranging from dark brown to nearly black.

Vienna roast coffee still retains some origin characteristics and terroir, while balancing acidity, sweetness, and body. French Roast coffee is primarily about roast flavors, as its terroir is mostly gone from long roasting. Vienna roasts are suitable for espresso, as well as pour-over and drip brewing methods. However, very dark roasts, such as French roasts, often result in a bitter and smoky flavor in espresso due to over-roasting, which can mask the beans' natural characteristics.

Is Vienna Roast Coffee Stronger?

No, Vienna roast coffee is generally milder and has less bitterness compared to French roast coffee, which is darker and has a stronger, more robust flavor. However, it is not stronger in caffeine than lighter roasts like light or medium roasts. The darker roasting process slightly reduces the caffeine content while enhancing the flavor profile, creating a rich and bold taste. The perceived "strength" comes from its robust flavor, not its caffeine levels.

How Much Caffeine is in Vienna Roast Coffee?

A Vienna roast coffee typically contains 95-105 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce (237 ml) cup. This is considered a moderate level of caffeine. The longer roasting process can cause some caffeine to break down, so it's slightly lower than a typical light roast. The exact caffeine content in Vienna roast coffee varies based on bean variety, brewing method, and grind size. For those sensitive to caffeine or monitoring intake, check specific brand details to ensure accurate information.

What Does Vienna Roast Coffee Taste Like?

Vienna roast coffee delivers a balance between the intensity of darker roasts with the nuanced flavors of lighter ones. The first sip reveals bold, balanced flavors with dominance of roasted nuts and dark chocolate. Subtle brown sugar or caramel sweetness adds depth. As the coffee lingers, it develops complexity with bittersweet cocoa with a tang of raisin or prune. Softened acidity from Vienna roast creates a smooth mouthfeel. The body feels medium to full, offering richness without heaviness. The aftertaste is clean yet persistent, leaving a pleasant memory of the roast's complexity.

This table shows the flavor profile of Vienna roast coffee, including primary flavors, secondary flavors, and tertiary flavors.

The specific flavors in Vienna roast coffee can vary based on the bean's origin, roasting time, and temperature. For example, a Vienna roast using Ethiopian beans might highlight floral and berry notes alongside the characteristic chocolate and nutty flavors. Sumatran beans could bring out more intense spice and smoky notes in the Vienna roast, while Java beans might result in a smoother, more mellow cup with subtle herbal undertones.

What is Vienna Roast Coffee Good For?

Vienna roast coffee is a good choice for those who prefer a balanced flavor profile with a mix of sweetness, acidity, and slight bitterness. The Vienna roast’s moderate darkness preserves coffee bean flavors, making it ideal for pour-over or drip brewing to highlight single-origin nuances. Vienna roast is also suitable for espresso drinks like Americanos because it produces a rich crema and can stand up to milk without losing its flavor.

How to Choose the Best Vienna Roast Coffee?

To choose the best Vienna roast coffee, follow these steps below.

• Identify flavor preferences, balancing medium acidity with sweetness.
• Check for specialty grade beans, prioritizing reputable coffee farms.
• Choose freshly roasted beans, ideally within 14 days of roasting, to maximize flavor and aroma.
• Read online reviews and compare different brands to find the best Vienna roast coffee that suits your preferences.

The best Vienna roast is a matter of personal preference. Experiment with different brands and origins to find your perfect cup.

What is the Best Vienna Roast Coffee?

The best Vienna roast coffee is the one that balances rich, complex flavors with a dark roast profile. Vienna roast coffee blends, for example, combining Brazilian, Central American, and African beans create a smooth, rich espresso shots with excellent crema. It suits espresso-based drinks, with milk softening its bitter overtones for a smoother flavor. Single origin Vienna roast coffee beans from high altitude regions of Guatemala, Kenya, or Tanzania are ideal for drip coffee or French press, bringing out nutty, cocoa, and caramelized sweetness with a smooth body.

Where to Buy the Best Vienna Roast Coffee?

The best places to buy Vienna roast coffee include specialty coffee shops, high-quality online retailers like Coffee Bean Direct, and premium grocery stores such as Whole Foods. Look for brands that display bean origin, processing, and roast date. Some of the best options include brands such as Allegro Coffee, New England Coffee, and Ink Coffee. At Colipse, we offer a variety of dark roast coffee beans for sale, ranging from Full City to Italian roast. We do not carry Vienna roasts coffee.

How Many Types of Coffee Roasts Are There?

There are three main types of coffee roasts: light, medium, and dark. Each roast varies in flavor, aroma, and color due to differences in roasting time and temperature. Within these 3 types, there are several other subtypes that range more specifically, from lightest blonde roast to medium city roast to very dark Italian roast.

What is the Difference between the Full City Roast and Vienna Roast?

The main difference between Full City Roast and Vienna Roast lies in their roast levels and flavor profiles. Full City Roast is a medium-dark roast, typically roasted until just before or during the beginning of the second crack. It offers a balanced acidity and sweetness, producing a milk chocolate or caramel-like flavor. Vienna Roast, on the other hand, is darker, roasted until the middle of the second crack. This results in a richer, bittersweet chocolate flavor with subtle smoky undertones due to oils appearing on the bean surface.