Do you reach for medium roast or dark roast? If your answer is “whichever bag looks good,” you are in good company. Roast labels give you a starting point, but the real question is what you enjoy tasting in your cup.
At Function Coffee Co., Brainstorm and Sullivan St. make that comparison especially interesting. Both are single-origin, naturally processed coffees from Nazareno Farm in El Salvador. Brainstorm is our medium roast; Sullivan St. is our dark roast. Their shared origin gives you a useful starting point for exploring two different flavor profiles.
What Is the Difference Between Medium and Dark Roast?
Roasting uses heat to develop the aroma and flavor of green coffee. As the roast develops, the balance of flavors changes. Medium roasts often retain more of the coffee’s fruit character alongside chocolate-like sweetness. Darker roasts tend to emphasize deeper roast flavors and a less bright tasting profile.
These are general tendencies, rather than a guarantee for every bag. Origin, processing, roast style, and your brewing method all influence the result. One roaster’s dark roast can also taste different from another’s.
The best roast is the one you enjoy drinking. There is no need to choose a lighter coffee to be a “serious” coffee drinker, or a darker coffee because it sounds stronger.
Meet Brainstorm: Chocolate, Sweetness, and a Little Fruit
Brainstorm’s tasting notes are semi-sweet chocolate, cane sugar, and fig jam. It is an approachable everyday coffee with a little more to explore as you sip.
We would start here if you like chocolate notes but also enjoy some fruit character. Try it black first, then add your usual milk if that is how you normally drink coffee. You do not have to change your morning routine to find a coffee you love.
Explore Brainstorm Medium Roast →
Meet Sullivan St.: Dark Chocolate, Clove, and Toffee
Sullivan St. offers dark chocolate, clove, and toffee notes, with classic depth and a clean finish.
We would start here if your ideal cup has a deeper chocolate character and a familiar dark roast flavor. If cream or milk is part of your daily coffee, include it in your taste test. The most useful comparison is the one that reflects how you actually drink your coffee.
Explore Sullivan St. Dark Roast →
A quick note about tasting notes: These coffees are not flavored. Chocolate, fig jam, clove, and toffee describe flavors and aromas you may notice in the brewed coffee. They are not added ingredients.
Try a Side-by-Side Taste Test at Home
You do not need special tasting equipment. Two mugs and your usual brewer are enough to get started.
- Use the same method for both. Drip or pour-over makes an easy comparison. Start with the same grind setting, water, and brewing routine.
- Measure the coffee. Try 20 grams of coffee and 320 grams of water for each brew. This 1:16 ratio is a starting point, not a rule you have to keep forever.
- Taste before adding anything. Notice the aroma, sweetness, fruit character, and finish. Which cup makes you want another sip?
- Let both cool a little. Taste again once they are comfortably warm. Write down what you notice without worrying about using the “right” coffee words.
- Try your usual additions. Add the same amount of milk or cream to each and compare again.
This first comparison helps you learn your preferences. You can adjust the grind and recipe for each coffee afterward. For more starting recipes, visit our coffee-to-water ratios and grind sizes guide.
Does Dark Roast Have More Caffeine?
A bolder taste does not automatically mean more caffeine. Roast level alone is not a reliable way to predict the caffeine in your mug. The coffee you use, the amount you brew, and your preparation all matter. Choose between these roasts for their flavor rather than an assumed caffeine boost.
Find Your Morning Match
For semi-sweet chocolate with cane sugar and fig jam, start with Brainstorm. For dark chocolate, clove, and toffee, try Sullivan St.. Curious about both? Make your next two bags a small tasting experiment.
Once you find your favorite, select a subscription on its product page: save 10% with monthly deliveries or 15% with deliveries every two weeks. You can skip or cancel anytime.
