Medium roast coffee is where balance lives. It’s the sweet spot between brightness and body, acidity and smoothness, fruit and chocolate. These coffees are roasted just long enough to develop caramelization and structure without losing the unique flavors of the origin. That balance makes them the go-to choice for people who want an easy, reliable cup without sacrificing depth.
Expect tasting notes like toasted nuts, soft chocolate, caramel, and mild fruit. The acidity is more restrained than in a light roast, but still present enough to keep things lively. The body tends to be fuller, with a richer mouthfeel and slightly more sweetness from the roast itself.
Medium roasts are flexible. They work well across almost any brew method—drip, pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and even espresso. That makes them a favorite for daily brewing, whether you’re grabbing a fast cup in the morning or dialing things in on the weekend.
These coffees are also a great entry point if you’re new to specialty coffee. They offer a lot of flavor without overwhelming the palate. You don’t need to fine-tune every variable to get a solid cup. But if you do want to experiment, medium roasts can still show off subtle differences in grind, water temp, and brew method.
If you’re curious about coffees with more boldness and richness, our Dark Roasts offer deeper chocolate and smoky notes with less acidity.
Or if you’re exploring options for your everyday rotation, take a look at our Best Sellers. Many of the coffees in that collection are medium roasts that have stood the test of time thanks to their universal appeal.
One reason medium roast holds such broad appeal is its consistency. While lighter roasts can vary more based on origin, and darker roasts can overwhelm those nuances, medium hits the middle in a way that pleases most people. It’s the roast profile that gets shared the most in households with different preferences.
Medium roasts also play well with milk. If you’re adding cream or making lattes, these coffees have enough body and flavor to stand up without being too sharp or too heavy. They also tend to have smoother finishes, making them ideal for second cups or all-day sipping.
For anyone who’s trying to get into better coffee without going off the deep end, medium roast is a strong starting point. You get variety, balance, and enough character to keep things interesting.
It’s the roast that doesn’t try too hard—but still delivers every time.
We roast and ship Mon-Fri. Most U.S. orders arrive 1-3 business days after shipping. Faster options are available at checkout. We ship coffees between 0-4 days off-roast for proper degassing and aim to get them to you by 7 days off-roast, our minimum preferred degassing period.
Coffees taste best when they’ve had a moment to breathe, and this is especially true for coffees roasted on air roasters like our Loring. Allowing the coffee to rest after roasting enhances its flavor and balance.
We recommend at least a seven day rest if brewing the coffee on espresso, with the best results falling in the 10-21 days off-roast window. For filter, five days minimum will yield the best results, with the optimal taste coming in the 8-17 days off roast range.
To preserve freshness, we recommend storing all coffees in airtight containers and consuming them within 30 days. However, if stored properly, you can still achieve quality results up to 60 days off roast.