If you’re a coffee lover who enjoys a bright, refreshing cup that’s full of flavor but not too bold, light roast coffee is the perfect choice. Known for its vibrant acidity and delicate flavors, light roast coffee preserves the unique taste profiles of the beans, making each cup an exciting and flavorful experience. Unlike darker roasts, which bring out more roasted or bitter notes, light roasts showcase the natural characteristics of the coffee’s origin, whether it’s fruity, floral, or even nutty.
At A Glance:
- 1. OUR TOP PICK: Onyx Coffee Lab
- 2. AMAZING VALUE: Starbucks - Veranda Blend
- 3. EASY TO USE: Peet’s Coffee – Costa Rica Aurora
What makes light roast coffee so special is its ability to highlight the subtle sweetness and complexity of the beans. From the highlands of Ethiopia to the rich farms of Colombia, each region’s unique climate and soil contribute to the distinctive flavors you’ll find in these coffees. Whether you prefer a citrusy zing or a berry-like sweetness, light roasts offer a variety of tastes that can satisfy anyone’s palate.
10 Best Light Roast Coffees To Buy Online
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Tropical Weather
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Ground
- Flavor: Sermon: Medium Roast
- Roast Level: Medium Roast
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Ethiopia Guji
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Ground
- Flavor: Veranda Blend
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Coffee
- Flavor: House Blend
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Whole Bean Coffee
- Flavor: Caramel, Fresh Apple, Peach
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Organic Ethiopian Sidamo Guji
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Lemon Bar
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form Whole Bean
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Roast Level: Light Roast
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Light Roast
- Roast Level: Light Roast
In this guide, we’ve curated a list of the best light roast coffees that will brighten your morning and elevate your coffee experience. Whether you’re new to light roasts or a long-time fan, these selections offer a perfect balance of flavor, aroma, and smoothness for every coffee enthusiast.
Onyx Coffee Lab – Tropical Weather
Delivers smooth, full-bodied flavor with 70% less acidity, making it perfect for coffee lovers with sensitive stomachs.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Tropical Weather
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Step into a cup that feels like sunshine with Tropical Weather from Onyx Coffee Lab. This is no ordinary espresso blend — it’s a seasonal harmony of washed and natural Ethiopian micro-lots, designed to deliver floral lift and juicy texture in perfect balance.
From the first inhale, you’ll notice delicate florals and ripe berries dancing in the aroma. The sip brings notes of mixed berries, plum, sweet tea, and raw honey that mingle seamlessly, finishing clean and bright.
Onyx roasts this as an expressive light roast (Agtron ~126.8) to preserve clarity and acidity, ensuring it works beautifully in both espresso and filter methods. Whether you pull a shot, brew with pour-over, or cold brew, it’s easy to dial in.
This blend reflects Onyx’s commitment to artisanal sourcing and transparency — every lot is traceable, roasted thoughtfully, and held to high standards.
Choose Tropical Weather when you want a cup that feels like summer — vibrant, layered, and endlessly drinkable.
Verve Coffee Roasters – The Sermon Blend
USDA organic, single-origin beans grown in shade, offering clean, low-acid flavor and eco-friendly, health-conscious sourcing.
- Item Form: Ground
- Flavor: Sermon: Medium Roast
- Roast Level: Medium Roast
Verve Coffee Roasters’ The Sermon Blend is a smooth, flavorful cup that combines the best of what light roast coffee has to offer. This coffee comes from a carefully curated mix of beans from Latin America, specifically from Colombia and Guatemala, regions known for their rich coffee history. The beans are handpicked to ensure only the best make it into the blend.
Taking the first sip, the sweet taste of caramel fills the mouth, followed by soft hints of red fruit like cherry. The taste is bright yet smooth, making it perfect for those who enjoy a well-balanced cup. This blend is lively without being too overpowering, making it a great way to start the day.
The Sermon Blend’s unique mix of beans creates a coffee that’s both complex and comforting. The soft, velvety finish gives it an inviting feel, perfect for enjoying with friends or on a quiet morning. Verve Coffee Roasters has taken great care in crafting a cup that’s as rich in history as it is in flavor, and it’s a treat for anyone who enjoys light roast coffee.
Stumptown Coffee – Ethiopia Guji
Family-owned roaster offering fair trade, low-acid coffee with bold, vibrant flavor and environmentally responsible farming.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Ethiopia Guji
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Stumptown Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji offers a delightful glimpse into the rich coffee-growing tradition of Ethiopia. The beans come from the Guji region, which is known for producing some of the world’s most flavorful coffees. Grown in the highlands, these beans develop a unique, complex taste that’s unlike anything else.
Taking a sip, the flavor is bright and fruity, with notes of juicy peach and a hint of bergamot. It’s a smooth and lively cup, with a sweet, floral aroma that fills the air as you drink. The Guji coffee is known for its clean, crisp finish, leaving a refreshing aftertaste that lingers without being too strong.
What makes this coffee rare is its origin in the Guji region, where coffee grows in a perfect balance of high altitudes and fertile soil. This combination brings out the vibrant flavors that make Ethiopia such a renowned coffee origin. If you enjoy a bright, fruity cup with a smooth finish, Stumptown Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji is a must-try.
Starbucks – Veranda Blend
Starbucks delivers exceptional coffee cup after cup with this 28-ounce bag of Veranda Blend lightly roasted ground coffee
- Item Form: Ground
- Flavor: Veranda Blend
- Roast Level: Light Roast
I recently tried Starbucks Veranda Blend, and it instantly became one of my favorite light roasts. The moment I opened the bag, I noticed its gentle aroma—soft, sweet, and inviting. Unlike darker Starbucks blends, Veranda feels calm and comforting, perfect for slow mornings.
This blend is crafted from Latin American beans and roasted lightly to bring out subtle notes of toasted malt and milk chocolate. When brewed, it delivers a smooth, mellow cup without bitterness. The flavor is mild but layered, with just enough sweetness to make it satisfying on its own. I brewed it using a pour-over, which brought out its clean finish and balanced acidity.
What I love most about Veranda Blend is its versatility. It tastes just as good black as it does with milk or cream, where the chocolatey tones become richer and creamier. It’s an easy coffee to enjoy any time of day—never harsh or overpowering.
If you usually find Starbucks’ darker roasts too strong, this is the perfect alternative. It’s approachable, flavorful, and has a naturally smooth character that makes every cup feel effortless. Veranda Blend is proof that light roasts can be just as full of personality, only in a more relaxed way.
Intelligentsia – House Light Roast
This roast is designed to showcase the intrinsic sweetness and lively fruit flavors that characterize our favorite coffees. Caramel and red apple are tastes we love in brighter blends and are presented here with high definition clarity
- Item Form: Coffee
- Flavor: House Blend
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Intelligentsia’s House Light Roast is a perfect blend for coffee lovers who appreciate a cup that’s both smooth and full of character. Sourced from select farms in Central America, this coffee is handpicked for its high-quality beans, ensuring each sip is a treat.
The first taste reveals a crisp, clean flavor with notes of green apple and a touch of caramel sweetness. It’s bright without being too sharp, offering a refreshing experience that wakes up the senses. The flavor is well-balanced, with a smooth body that makes it easy to enjoy throughout the day.
What makes this coffee special is its consistency. The House Light Roast is crafted to be a reliable choice for those who love a light, easygoing cup of coffee. Intelligentsia has perfected this blend, ensuring that every cup brings the same bright, flavorful experience. It’s a great go-to for those who want a light roast that’s both satisfying and approachable.
Coffee Bros - Ethiopia Hamasho
We source all our coffee to achieve specific taste notes. Our Ethiopia Microlot tastes of Ripe Blackberry, Rich Chocolate, with a Sugary Sweet finish.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Caramel, Fresh Apple, Peach
- Roast Level: Light Roast
I recently tried Coffee Bros – Ethiopia Hamasho, and it completely changed how I think about light-roasted coffee. The moment I opened the bag, a wave of sweet, fruity aroma filled the air notes of ripe berries, floral honey, and a touch of citrus zest. It smelled so fresh that I couldn’t wait to brew it.
I used a pour-over method, and from the very first sip, I could taste how carefully this coffee was crafted. The flavor is bright but not sharp bursting with jammy blueberry, grape, and subtle floral undertones that dance across the palate. Each sip finishes clean and smooth, with just a hint of sweetness that lingers pleasantly.
What stood out most was how balanced it felt. Some fruit-forward coffees can be wild or overpowering, but Hamasho keeps everything elegant. The natural processing gives it a layered depth, while the light roast preserves the vibrancy of the Ethiopian beans.
It’s the kind of coffee that makes you pause between sips just to appreciate how alive it tastes. If you enjoy complex, aromatic, and beautifully bright coffee, Coffee Bros Ethiopia Hamasho is a must-try. It feels like drinking sunshine filtered through fruit and flowers pure, uplifting, and unforgettable.
Fresh Roasted Coffee - Ethiopian Sidamo Guji Coffee
100% ARABICA COFFEE. Certified Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher. Approved for use in standard drip coffee makers as well as espresso machines, automatics, pour overs, Aeropress, French press, moka pot, and percolators.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Organic Ethiopian Sidamo Guji
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Discover Fresh Roasted Coffee’s Ethiopian Sidamo Guji, a single-origin light roast that brings East Africa’s most vibrant flavors right to your cup. Grown in the highlands of Guji, this coffee harvest delivers intensely fruit-forward notes with berry and wine-like character, all balanced by an earthy, grounded finish.
This roast is handled with care: the beans undergo a natural process, meaning they’re dried inside the fruit, which amplifies their sweetness and depth. As soon as they’re roasted, they’re nitrogen-flushed and sealed in resealable bags with one-way degassing valves to lock in freshness.
Certified USDA Organic and Kosher (OU), this batch is 100% Arabica and produced without synthetic additives or genetic modification.The roasting is done on Loring SmartRoasters, which use energy-efficient techniques that reduce carbon footprint while preserving flavor integrity.
Whether you brew with a pour-over, French press, drip machine, espresso setup, Aeropress, or moka pot, Sidamo Guji adapts beautifully. It’s ideal for both the casual drinker and the connoisseur who seeks clarity, brightness, and complexity in each sip. Embrace the sensory journey—choose this Guji roast and elevate your daily coffee ritual.
Peet’s Coffee – Costa Rica Aurora
Bright and vibrant, Costa Rica Aurora blends top-grade Costa Rican beans with silky Kenyan accents for a citrusy, floral cup featuring molasses sugar and black currant notes. Roasted mildly to preserve acidity and light body, it’s perfect for pour-over, drip, or cold brews. Choose Aurora for clarity in your coffee ritual.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Lemon Bar
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Awaken your senses with Costa Rica Aurora, a light-roast coffee that combines clarity, brightness, and complexity in every cup. This isn’t your typical mild roast — Peet’s hand-selects top-grade Costa Rican beans from Tarrazú and Naranjo, known for their double sweetness and lively citrus qualities. Then they accent that vibrant core with a floral, silky Kenya touch — yielding deep molasses sugar notes and a signature black currant nuance that transforms Aurora into something exceptional.
With a roast level at just 25/100, this coffee is designed to emphasize brightness (81/100) and deliver a light body (38/100), making it ideal for pour-over, drip, and cold brew methods. Whether you’re craving an uplifting morning brew or a refreshing iced version, Aurora flexes to your mood.
Aurora offers remarkable value through Peet’s Coffee subscription, giving you the freedom to enjoy it freshly roasted and delivered to your door.
Choose Costa Rica Aurora if you want a coffee that’s crisp, dynamic, and full of layered flavor not just a background caffeine fix. Elevate your ritual and make every cup a bright moment.
Equator Coffees – Ethiopia Ardi Natural
- 12 OUNCES of WHOLE BEAN Coffee
- Ethically sourced and roasted by Equator Coffees in San Rafael, CA
- Light & Bright roast profile
- Single origin beans from Ethiopia
- Taste notes of Floral, Cocoa and Blueberry
- 100% Ground
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Equator Coffees’ Ethiopia Ardi Natural brings a bright and bold experience to your cup. This coffee is sourced from the Ardi region in Ethiopia, a place known for its rich coffee-growing history and unique flavors. The beans are processed using the natural method, which enhances the fruity sweetness and complexity of the coffee.
The first sip of this coffee is a burst of juicy, fruity flavors, with notes of ripe strawberry and a hint of tropical fruit. The natural processing method gives the coffee a fuller body and a sweetness that makes it stand out. The finish is smooth, with a subtle floral aroma that lingers after each sip.
Ethiopia is known for producing some of the world’s best coffees, and the Ardi region is a prime example of the country’s coffee-growing potential. The natural process brings out the coffee’s bright, fruity notes, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a vibrant, flavorful cup.
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee - Light Roast
- New! Subtle Earth Organic Coffee Light Roast!
- USDA Organic Coffee Certified by CCOF – 100% Arabica – Low Acidity – Non GMO
- Rich and chocolaty with profound depth of flavor, velvety body, and low acidity. 100% organic.
- Process: Fully washed and dried on patio. Varietal: Catuai – Altitude: 1160-1310 meters above sea level.
- Origin: Honduras, Sharing Certified Program
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Flavor: Light Roast
- Roast Level: Light Roast
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Light Roast is a beautifully balanced, organic blend that stands out for its clarity, smoothness, and natural sweetness. The aroma is gentle and inviting, with soft notes of milk chocolate, caramel, and honey that fill the air as it brews.
Each sip reveals a silky, mellow flavor with mild acidity and a clean finish. The chocolate and caramel tones blend harmoniously, while a light honey sweetness rounds out the cup without ever feeling heavy or bitter. It’s the kind of coffee that feels smooth from start to finish—bright enough to stay interesting, yet soft enough to drink all day.
Certified USDA Organic and made from high-altitude Honduran beans, this light roast brings out the bean’s natural character without over-roasting it. The result is a cup that’s pure, consistent, and refreshing, whether enjoyed black or with milk.
What truly makes this coffee shine is its approachability. It’s gentle on the stomach, low in acidity, and has a naturally sweet undertone that requires no sugar. Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Light Roast proves that organic coffee can be both simple and deeply satisfying a perfect choice for anyone who appreciates clean, comforting flavors in every cup.
FAQs
What is light roast coffee?
Light roast coffee is coffee that has been roasted for a shorter amount of time, preserving the beans’ natural flavors. It is known for its bright, fruity, and floral notes, with a higher acidity compared to darker roasts.
How is light roast coffee different from dark roast coffee?
Light roast coffee retains the original flavors of the beans, offering a more acidic and complex taste. Dark roast coffee, on the other hand, has a stronger, bolder flavor with a lower acidity and more roasted, smoky notes.
What are the benefits of drinking light roast coffee?
Light roast coffee offers a bright, refreshing taste and higher acidity, which many people find invigorating. It also contains more antioxidants than darker roasts and has a lighter body, making it easier to drink for those who prefer a less intense flavor.
Can light roast coffee be strong?
Yes, light roast coffee can still be strong in terms of flavor. While it might not have the deep, bitter profile of dark roasts, it can be very vibrant and intense due to its high acidity and complex flavors.
What types of coffee beans are used for light roasts?
Light roast coffee can be made from a variety of beans, but many coffee lovers prefer beans from regions like Ethiopia, Colombia, and Guatemala. These areas are known for producing high-quality beans with bright, fruity, and floral notes.
Is light roast coffee better for morning energy?
Light roast coffee can be a great choice for a morning boost. Its higher acidity and lively flavors are refreshing and can help awaken the senses, making it a perfect morning drink for those who enjoy a bright, energizing cup.
How should I brew light roast coffee for the best taste?
For the best taste, light roast coffee is best brewed using methods that allow for a clean extraction, such as pour-over, AeroPress, or Chemex. These methods preserve the bright and complex flavors of the beans.
Is light roast coffee healthier than dark roast coffee?
Light roast coffee contains more antioxidants than dark roast coffee due to the shorter roasting time. Additionally, light roasts retain more of the beans’ original nutrients and compounds, making them a healthy option for coffee drinkers.
Does light roast coffee have more caffeine than dark roast?
Light roast coffee typically has slightly more caffeine by weight compared to dark roast coffee. While dark roast coffee beans are smaller due to the longer roasting process, light roast beans retain more of their original size, which means they have more caffeine per gram.
How do I choose the best light roast coffee?
Choosing the best light roast coffee depends on personal taste preferences. Look for coffees from regions known for bright, fruity flavors, and consider your preferred brewing method. Read reviews, check the roast date for freshness, and experiment to find the perfect cup for you.
