English Reference

Word

roasting degree

Phoneticsroast·ing de·gree

US/ˈroʊstɪŋ dɪˈɡriː/

UK/ˈrəʊstɪŋ dɪˈɡriː/

Definition

compound. a measurement of how light or dark coffee beans become after being heated, which determines the final flavor, body, and acidity of the brewed drink

compound. a classification scale used to categorize coffee beans based on their color and internal temperature following the roasting process, ranging from light cinnamon to dark Italian styles.

Examples

“The clerk asked me which roasting degree I prefer for my morning coffee.”

“If you enjoy fruity and acidic notes, you should choose a bean with a light roasting degree rather than a dark one.”

“Precise control over the roasting degree is essential for specialty roasters aiming to highlight the unique terroir of high-altitude Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans.”

Examples

simple

“The clerk asked me which roasting degree I prefer for my morning coffee.”

contextual

“If you enjoy fruity and acidic notes, you should choose a bean with a light roasting degree rather than a dark one.”

complex

“Precise control over the roasting degree is essential for specialty roasters aiming to highlight the unique terroir of high-altitude Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans.”

Real-World Examples

“Degree of Roast simply means the roast level of a coffee, how dark it has been roasted.”
Sweet Maria's Coffee Library · 20 Sept 2026
“The ‘roast degree’ in this sense is: the longer you cook, the darker and more ‘developed’ the bean.”
Lee Knuttila · 17 Aug 2023

Etymology

Combines the Middle English 'rosten' (to heat) with the Old French 'degré' (a step or stage). The term became standardized in the 20th century as commercial coffee grading systems evolved.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference