What’s the difference between French and Italian roast coffee?

Should you buy French roast coffee – or Italian?

It doesn’t matter. According to coffee expert Katie Carguilo, there is nothing particularly French or Italian about either. Those labels are pure marketing terms. Katie says both French and Italian roasts typically fall into the dark roast category. All that means is that the beans have been roasted for longer for a stronger, charred taste – a favorite method to disguise inferior or older beans that have been lying around.

If you’re really into good coffee, be sure to know what you’re buying. Katie says you need to check for the roast date. This is not a sell-by date. If there is not a roast date stamped on the bag, or if the beans are more than a month old, you’re not getting your money’s worth.