A common misconception when talking about light coffee vs dark coffee is that light coffee is weak and dark coffee is strong. But that actually not quite true!
The biggest difference with these two roasts is the flavour profiles.
Light coffee has bright, fruity, lively flavours; usually floral, citrus and honey leaning notes.
Dark Roast on the other hand tend to be more earthy, toasty, deep smokey flavours; usually chocolate, nutty, caramel leaning notes.
While both roasts have distinct differences in the flavour profiles they are both a very well balance full bodied aromatic strong coffees.
Weaker coffee is achieved with a lower concentration ratio to water rather than the lightness of the roast. Light vs dark roast refers more to the drinker's preference of flavour that the darkness of a coffee. You can still make a dark roast coffee weak and a light roast coffee strong by the amount of coffee to water ratio used. I think with brighter flavours people tend to associate those with a weaker drink and associate dark flavours with a richer drink. So, when you make a light roast and dark roast coffee at the same concentration the brighter flavours taste more 'refreshing' and therefore lighter/weaker.
The job of espresso in a latte, cappuccino or flat white is to cut through the sweetness of steamed milk. The crema and bitterness cutting through the milk is what gives your drink that distinctive bold balance foundation and flavour rather than just a cup of flavoured hot milk.
When you visit the cafe, if you a looking for a strong coffee you want to be ordering a 6oz or 8 oz rather than a large 12 oz coffee because your ratio of espresso to milk/water will be more concentrated. Another way to increase the concentration of espresso if you are wanting as larger volume is to add extra shots to your order. This is another great way to increase the strength (concentration).
