Are you a fan of coffee but find yourself often overwhelmed by the multitude of roasts available? Look no further! Medium roast coffee is a popular choice for many, striking the perfect balance between light and dark roasts. But with so many brands on the market, how do you select coffees that truly delight your palate? In this guide, we’ll help you understand why medium roast coffee is loved, and provide insights on choosing the best beans for you.
Medium roast coffee offers a harmonious blend of flavors that cater to a wide range of taste preferences. These beans are roasted for less time than dark roast but longer than light roast, resulting in a medium-full body with sweet, fruity, nutty, and complex tones. The medium roast preserves the original flavors of the bean while smoothing out some harshness and adding a touch of toasty richness.
What makes medium roast coffee unique is its versatility. It boasts flavors that range from sweet fruitiness to nutty undertones, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their coffee journey or seasoned connoisseurs seeking new experiences. So, if you’re ready to explore the ocean of nuanced coffee flavors, medium roast might become your new favorite thing.
What is Medium Roast Coffee? Medium roasted beans have a medium brown color and a matte appearance due to gentler roasting compared to dark roasts. They retain their oils and moisture, creating denser beans with no oily surface. The ideal medium roast showcases the character of its origin region while smoothing out some harsher acidic notes, all while adding the toasty, rich chocolate flavors we associate with darker roasts.
Medium roast coffee is roasted until it reaches a temperature of 400–430°F, typically after the ‘first crack’ but before the ‘second crack’.
The degree of roasting varies among roasters, allowing them to tease out different flavors in their beans. Medium roast coffee is roasted until it reaches a temperature of 400–430°F, typically after the ‘first crack’ but before the ‘second crack’. The exact roasting time depends on the roaster’s preference and process, aiming to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Medium roast coffee was the first step towards lighter roasts, as it allowed us to enjoy a wider range of flavors. Previously, roasters only had access to dark-roasted beans, but now we have high-quality single-origin beans at our fingertips.
What Does Medium Roast Coffee Taste Like? Medium roast coffee produces a balanced, harmonious cup with subtle fruit and nut notes that bring regular earthiness to life. These flavors are woven gently into the medium roast’s sweet, smooth, and complex taste profile. Some specific flavor notes to look out for include:
– Fruit: plum, blackberries, cooked apple, citrus – Nutty: cashew, peanut butter, toasted almond, candied nuts – Creamy: smooth milk chocolate, brown butter – Sugar: caramel, honey, brown sugar, cookies – Spice: black pepper, cloves, vanilla
When selecting medium roast beans, keep the following tips in mind:.
When selecting medium roast beans, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Freshness is key: Always purchase whole beans and grind them just before brewing for optimal flavor. 2. Look for descriptive flavor profiles: Brands that take time to find the ideal medium roast profile will offer more specific and high-quality coffee. 3. Transparency matters: Ask questions about the bean’s origin, farming methods, and fair trade practices to ensure you’re buying quality beans. 4. Taste preference is personal: Try different medium roasts to discover your favorite flavor profile.
We’ve rounded up six of the best medium roast coffees worth trying in your next brew:
1. Barista Parlor Golden Sound: A blend of washed and natural medium roast, with a smooth and sweet chocolatey taste. Origins: Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Brazil 2. Ceremony Coffee Roasters Mass Appeal: This medium roast offers a soft acidity, creamy mouthfeel, and notes of milk chocolate and sugar cookie. Origins: Colombia and Peru 3. Medici Roasting Clarksville Blend: A blend of three seasonally fresh coffees, featuring ripe cherry acidity, lots of chocolate, and deep brown sugar sweetness. Origin: Various 4. Verve Coffee Roasters Sermon: Fruit-forward and full-bodied, this medium roast is playful and approachable with notes of blueberry pie, cocoa, and candied pecans. Origins: Columbia, East Africa 5. Passion House Coffee Islands In The Stream: A complex, single-origin medium roast with notes of baking spice and sweet cola. Origin: Single origin, not specified 6. Seven Coffee Roasters Brazil Carmo De Minas Direct Trade: Grown with care in the Carmo De Minas region of Brazil, this direct-trade medium roast offers a full body, smooth mouthfeel, and notes of cinnamon, almond, and mild lemon zest. Origin: Brazil
COMMENT QUESTION: What’s your favorite medium roast coffee, or which one are you eager to try now.
COMMENT QUESTION: What’s your favorite medium roast coffee, or which one are you eager to try now? Let us know in the comments!
Questions & Answers
What is a medium roast coffee?
A medium roast coffee is a balanced brew with a full body, moderate acidity, and pronounced flavor compared to light roasts.
Which medium roast coffees are recommended to try?
The article suggests six best medium roast coffees worth trying – Costa Rica Tarrazu, Sumatra Mandheling, Maragogype, and more. Check the guide for details.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.

