How many times have I heard people say to me "give the high test" I want it strong! Generally what a customer means is give me the darkest stuff you got because I need some serious caffeine and some high powered coffee! Granted a french roast or any dark roast has the stigma of power because of its dark surface and oily bean surface and the sensation that the bittersweet or burnt flavor gives however the chemistry is quite the contrary. A dark roast has less caffeine in it than a light roast. The reason is simple, when coffee is roasted there is a serious of complex chemical reactions that take place in stages throughout the roast duration. As coffee is brought along methodically through these stages and the heat is raised certain chemicals are burned off. Caffeine is one of them. Just as the sugar caramelizes during longer roasts, hence the sweetness increase in a dark roast, the caffeine is also burned out. So if you want to really get a "buzz" and if caffeine is what you look for, then try a lighter roast. The lighter the roast the more caffeine.
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