Countries of Origin

• French-roast coffee denotes a style of beans, not the actual country of origin. Though the style of French-roasted beans was popularized in France, the beans themselves do not come from there. Colombian coffee, on the other hand, actually comes from Colombia--one of the biggest coffee-producing nations in the world.

French-Roast Darkness

• This is a particularly dark roast of coffee--about as dark as it gets without compromising flavor. An overdone French roast tastes bitter and smoky.

Colombian Darkness

• Colombian coffee comes in a variety of roasts. However, most Colombian coffees are characterized by a mild flavor with a slightly more acidic taste than French roast. This is the result of the beans' being roasted less, making them lighter in color.

Variations

• French and Colombian coffee beans found in an American store differ slightly from their reputations. French-roast beans in America tend to be slightly lighter than what you may find in a European cafe; European coffee drinkers prefer darker beans. Colombian beans, on the other hand, can be simple, clean and dull. Big-name brands of Colombian coffee typically fall into this category of slightly boring brews, whereas coffee from smaller farms and lots has more character.

Where to Start

• Deciding which coffee is best depends entirely on your own personal taste. Due to its milder, less-burnt taste, Colombian coffee is a good starting point. From there, you can sample darker roasts until you find the level of acidity and body that you prefer.