Are you looking for the most delicious bag of medium roast coffee to start your mornings? Look no further than this curated list.
In this article, we unveil the top 11 brands with some of the best medium roast coffee that we’ve tried in 2023. From smooth and balanced profiles to captivating aromas that linger, these medium roast coffees promise an exceptional brew with every cup.
Grab a cup of coffee as we discuss several great bags of the crowd-favorite medium roast and walk you through what criteria to consider when choosing a medium roast coffee.
Medium roast coffee is the perfect balance between light roast and dark roast coffees. Roasted to temperatures around 410°F to 428°F (210°C to 220°C), medium roast beans display a rich brown color and a dry surface, giving them a versatile and well-rounded flavor profile.
Unlike light roast coffee beans, which retain more of their original character, medium roasts exhibit a more pronounced body and mellow acidity. On the other hand, they're lighter than dark roasts, allowing the coffee beans' inherent flavors to shine while still achieving a pleasant depth.
Medium roast coffee caters to both ends of the flavor spectrum, making it a go-to choice for many coffee enthusiasts. With a medium roast, you experience the best of both worlds: the vibrant nuances of origin flavors and the smoothness brought on by the roasting process.
Sweetness tends to be the focus of medium roast coffee, so it drinks well black or as the basis of a cappuccino, latte, or other milk-based espresso beverage. It’s a great roast for an everyday coffee.
Here’s our list of the top 11 best medium roast coffee bags you can buy. That being said, “best” is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. Because of that, we have selected a wide variety of medium roast coffees that we find excellent in one or more categories.
Let’s get into it.
no. 1
Volcanica Guatemala Huehuetenango Medium Roast
Best Overall
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no. 2
Kicking Horse Three Sisters Medium Roast
Popular Pick
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no. 3
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend
Espresso Blend Pick
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no. 4
Illy Classico Ground Medium Blend Coffee
Preground Coffee Pick
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no. 5
Lifeboost Coffee USDA Organic Coffee Pods Medium Roast
K-Cup Coffee Pick
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no. 6
Volcanica Ethiopia Guji Medium Roast
African Medium Roast Pick
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no. 7
Dalat Highlands Robusta Whole Bean Coffee
Asian Medium Roast Pick
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no. 8
Java Planet Low Acid Coffee, Organic Guatemala Single Origin
Central American Medium Roast Pick
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no. 9
Koffee Kult Colombia Huila
South American Medium Roast Pick
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no. 10
KOA Coffee Peaberry Medium Roast 100% Kona Coffee
Kona Medium Roast Pick
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no. 11
Jamaican Blue Mountain Whole Bean Medium Roast Coffee
Bonus Pick
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Now stick around so you can learn more about each of our recommended medium roast coffees. Plus, don't miss our guide on what you should look for when you're shopping!
Best Overall
One of our favorite roasters is Volcanica, and they have an exceptional medium roast with coffee beans from Guatemala. They only source specialty-grade beans, and these 100% Arabica beans from a single farm Huehuetenango are no exception. Volcanica will ship their coffee to you in the size that makes the most sense for your brewing habits: 16 oz, 3 lbs, or 5 lbs. Order as whole beans or ground specifically for your brewing style.
This washed coffee presents notes of honeysuckle, pistachio, spices, apricot, and molasses. Its sweetness and complexity will surprise you! If you’re looking for a medium roast coffee that works wonderfully as a pour-over, this bag from Volcanica is a great option. It’s Fair Trade Certified and bound to sizzle your taste buds.
Popular Pick
If you’re looking for a popular everyday coffee, this medium roast blend from Kicking Horse has you covered. This 2.2-lb bag of whole beans comes with a mixture of beans from Indonesia, Central America, and South America, giving a well-rounded profile with notes of stone fruit and cocoa.
This Fair Trade and USDA Certified Organic coffee is made a little differently than most blends. Kicking Horse took three different roast levels (light, medium, and dark), and combined them in this blend to create an overall “medium” roast coffee. Because of this, the complexity may be richer, and you might get a little more acidity and bitterness in your cup, depending on how you brew your coffee. I recommend this coffee as a pour-over or French Press. Making an espresso with this blend might be a little funky.
Espresso Blend Pick
This bag of whole beans comes roasted from Lavazza, a well-regarded Italian coffee company. Chances are, you’ve had their coffee before… even if you don’t realize it.
This 2.2-lb bag of coffee was roasted specifically for espresso. Lavazza uses a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans to achieve an aromatic flavor profile while still creating that rich layer of crema that Italians love in their espresso shots.
With notes of brown sugar and hazelnut, this coffee will taste great as a plain espresso and mix very well with milk to create lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. Just make sure you have a way to grind these beans at home!
Check out our recommended espresso beans if you’d like medium roast espresso bean ideas!
Preground Coffee Pick
Do you prefer your coffee preground? Illy makes a 100% Arabica blend that comes in a pressurized can.
I personally know Italians that swear by this blend for their morning moka cup, arguably the best brewing method to use this coffee with. You might also be able to use an actual espresso machine and produce a good shot, but I would stay clear of pour-over methods. This coffee has been ground too finely to produce a nice V60 or Chemex.
If you like your coffee with a slightly chocolatey taste, a thick body, and “strong,” this Italian blend from Illy is a great option… especially if you don’t have a grinder at home!
K-Cup Coffee Pick
If you’ve never heard of Lifeboost, it's a coffee company that obsesses with sourcing “healthy” coffee. They only buy from farms using sustainable practices, and the coffee is guaranteed to be free from mycotoxins, molds, heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, and other nasty stuff.
This coffee is shade-grown and sun-dried in Central America and is always Fair Trade and USDA Organic certified. This low-acid coffee comes conveniently packed in K-Cups to use with your Keurig machine. Don’t worry, the pods are compostable.
If you want a medium roast that works perfectly with your Keurig, Lifeboost has a great solution.
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African Coffee Pick
Are you seeking out a medium roast from Africa?
With notes of dark chocolate, peach, and nectarine, this washed coffee from the Kayon Mountain Coffee Farm in the Oramia Region is sure to surprise you. These beans will taste great no matter how you brew them, but I recommend a pour-over method or AeroPress to indulge in the rich tasting notes. If you have a high-quality automatic pour-over coffee maker then by all means use it!
This single-origin coffee is from a farm that prides itself on the harvest and post-processing methods. The coffee trees are shaded from acacia and other indigenous trees and dried on raised beds, which helps result in a sweeter, more floral flavor that many have come to associate with African coffees in general.
Asian Coffee Pick
This unique medium roast from Vietnam comes with a lush body, chocolatey taste, and rich aftertaste. This 100% Robusta coffee has been picked and sorted by hand to only include peaberries. The beans are naturally dried with the cherries still intact, making this natural-processed coffee even sweeter than normal washed coffees.
These beans should be used specifically for espresso to create a rich crema. Just remember, Robusta comes with more caffeine and a thicker body than Arabica.
This Robusta was specifically grown in the volcanic soil highlands of the Dalat Province. The elevation and growing conditions contribute to its high quality. You definitely don’t have to be worried about this Robusta being subpar.
Central American Coffee Pick
Guatemala is home to some of the world’s best coffee. Its high climates, volcanic soil, and unique microclimates all play a part in crafting some delicious coffee beans. This medium roast from Java Planet is low in acid and has a rich, creamy body. It will taste great in any brew method, but I recommend trying it in a French Press to amplify the body and bring out the sweetness of the caramel notes.
These beans are specialty-grade, USDA Organic, and Smithsonian Bird Friendly Certified. You can drink this coffee knowing it's better for you and for the environment.
Related Read: Is Coffee Acidic? The Ultimate Guide to Coffee pH
South American Coffee Pick
This gourmet bag of Colombian coffee from Koffee Kult is available in a 12 oz package or in a big 2-lb bag. Koffee Kult is a family-owned roastery based in Hollywood, Florida, that exclusively buys from organic coffee farms around the world. They only work with Arabica coffee beans and roast in small batches.
These 100% Arabica medium roast coffee beans are ideal for espresso drinkers or French Press lovers. With nutty and cinnamon undertones, this coffee pairs well with milk to make a delicious cappuccino or even an oat milk latte.
These medium roast coffee beans come from a few farms in the Huila region of Colombia. Expect a heavy body and bright acidity when you prepare a cup of this bold coffee.
Kona Coffee Pick
Itching to try some of that famous Kona coffee from Hawaii? KOA Coffee is a Hawaii coffee brand that sources 100% Kona coffee and roasts on the island before shipping out their bags. What makes this bag of coffee even more special is that it’s filled with only peaberries (when coffee cherries grow with one round seed instead of the normal two).
These medium roast coffee beans are not available preground and usually sell out pretty quickly. If you can get your hands on some coffee from KOA, I recommend trying an AeroPress or French Press to fully enjoy the body and tasting notes.
Bonus Pick
This 100% Certified Grade 1 Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is roasted fresh every week and shipped from origin in resealable valve bags. If you are looking for a sweet coffee with a rich body that works great as a pour-over, French Press, and espresso, this medium roast has you covered.
While these beans aren’t cheap, you can save by ordering 5 lbs of whole beans at a time. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned around the world for its flavor and lack of bitterness.
It could very well be one of the best medium roasts you will try!
When it comes to selecting the perfect medium roast coffee, several factors contribute to an optimal brew. Here's a quick guide to help you make an informed choice.
Prioritize coffee with a roast date whenever possible. Fresher beans yield a more vibrant and flavorful cup. Since larger commercial brands usually lack this date, consider purchasing from local roasters or specialty shops for guaranteed freshness. Try to pick coffees that were roasted within the past 30 days. Just like other foods, coffee goes stale!
Opt for whole beans, if possible. Grinding just before brewing preserves the coffee's aroma and flavor. Plus, the act of grinding your own beans at home is a ritual that many (myself included) have come to love and look forward to each morning.
If convenience is paramount, select freshly ground coffee from reputable sources. Just know that it won’t taste as fresh and will become stale much faster than a bag of whole beans. If you don’t have a grinder at home, then this is your only option!
However, I strongly recommend buying a simple burr grinder to take your coffee brewing to the next level (avoid blade grinders). There are even manual burr grinders that are super-durable and cost-effective.
Choosing a blend or a single-origin coffee is usually a matter of personal preference. Single origins tend to highlight more nuanced flavors specific to the farm or region that they came from. Lots of emphasis is placed on processing method, variety, and altitude for single-origin coffees. If you like to try more specific and rare tasting notes, a single origin will be your best bet.
Blends use beans from various places with the goal of creating a balanced, more accessible coffee. Blends tend to have more common flavors like chocolate and nuts, are lower in acidity, and work better with espresso.
When choosing between a blend or a single origin, I think the most important factor to consider is the tasting notes mentioned on the bag. What sounds tastier to you?
The two most common commercially grown species of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans typically deliver smoother, more nuanced flavors, while Robusta beans contribute to a stronger, more bitter taste. I recommend choosing Arabica whenever possible, as they tend to be of higher quality with a more complex flavor profile.
Less common species like Liberica or Excelsa can provide intriguing profiles worth exploring, but they may be difficult to source.
Different regions around the world have general coffee characteristics associated with them. Asia tends to offer earthy and spicy notes, Africa boasts floral and fruity flavors, and the Americas often deliver balanced profiles with chocolate or nutty undertones.
Higher elevations generally yield beans with increased acidity and complexity. Anything grown over 1000 meters is considered higher quality, as the coffee beans have a better climate to grow slowly and develop more complex flavors.
Don’t be too worried about the increased acidity, as the medium roast level will balance out that acidity with body and sweetness.
Factor in your coffee budget – whether you're seeking an everyday cup or an occasional treat. Specialty coffees like Kona (from Hawaii) can be pricier, and you might not have the budget (or desire) to be drinking such exquisite coffee every day of the week.
The good news about medium roast coffee is that there is a wide range of prices, from expensive single origin specialty coffee to cheaper, more generic blends.
Look for certifications like Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance, which indicate ethical sourcing practices. Organic certification (like USDA Certified Organic) assures the absence of synthetic chemicals. These labels reflect a commitment to responsible production.
Just remember: if the coffee you want to buy doesn’t have any certifications, that doesn’t mean it isn’t grown sustainably. A lot of smallholder farmers can’t afford to pay for the high expenses that come with many of these certifications, even if they grow everything organically. Traceability is important here!
Support coffee roasters who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Learn about their commitment to fair wages, eco-friendly methods, and community engagement in the regions that they purchase their green beans from.
By considering these factors, you'll be equipped to select a medium roast coffee that suits your taste preferences, values, and brewing rituals perfectly.
The short answer is… every kind of coffee drink. The versatility of medium roast coffee knows no bounds when it comes to crafting a diverse array of coffee drinks. Its balanced flavor profile and moderate acidity make it an excellent choice for a wide range of preparations. Whether you're a fan of black coffee or enjoy experimenting with milk-based beverages, medium roast coffee has you covered.
Medium roast coffee is dark enough to make a tasty espresso shot with delicious crema, but it’s light enough to still taste great as a Chemex pour-over. The espresso will emphasize body and sweetness, while the pour-over will emphasize more complex flavor notes and provide a smidge more pleasant acidity. They both should work great - it just depends on how you like to drink your coffee.
My favorite way to brew medium roast coffee is using the V60 pour-over method. I find it gives the perfect balance of body, sweetness, and acidity, while still getting to appreciate the more unique tasting notes from a bag of specialty coffee.
Here’s how to brew medium roast coffee using a Hario V60.
Yes, there is a relationship between the roast level of a coffee bean and its caffeine content. Contrary to popular belief, lighter roast coffee beans generally have slightly more caffeine than dark roast coffee. The roasting process causes the coffee beans to lose moisture and expand, which can lead to a decrease in mass and density. Therefore, by weight, dark roast coffee has less caffeine.
Therefore, if you're seeking a higher caffeine content, you can opt for lighter roast coffee beans. However, the difference is going to be hardly noticeable… if you want more caffeine, you would be better off just making more coffee, or trying Robusta coffee beans (they have about twice as much caffeine as Arabica ones).
While roasting coffee is a skill that must be practiced like any other, it’s definitely possible to do it at home.
There are three methods you can use to set up a small roastery in your house: a skillet or frying pan, a popcorn machine, or a home coffee roaster. While the first two options will turn your coffee beans brown and are fun to experiment with, you will never achieve a consistent roast. I recommend starting with a basic home roaster like a FreshRoast 540.
There are a few ways to know that you’ve reached the “medium roast level.” The first is by color. The coffee beans should be a medium-dark brown. If there are any visible oils on the surface you've come too far as this is characteristic of dark roast beans. The second is by temperature. If you have a thermometer, you should reach 410°F to 428°F (210°C to 220°C).
Another good measure is sound. You want to roast a good minute or so after the first crack without arriving at the second crack (that will make your coffee beans oily). Luckily, medium roast coffees are very forgiving, so have fun with the process!
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Yes, medium roast coffee tends to have lower acidity compared to light roast coffee. The longer roasting process of medium roasts helps mellow the acidity while preserving the coffee's flavor complexity.
Yes, medium roast coffee is a popular choice for espresso. Its balance of flavor and body creates a rich espresso with a satisfying taste and sweetness that work well in various espresso-based drinks.
While "better" is subjective and depends on taste preference, medium roast coffee offers a harmonious blend of origin flavors and roasting characteristics, appealing to those who enjoy a balanced cup with both complexity and smoothness. Medium roasts usually offer a medium body, medium sweetness, low acidity, and low bitterness.
Starbucks' Pike Place Roast is the signature medium roast coffee beans from this chain. It's crafted for a well-rounded, approachable flavor that caters to a broad range of coffee drinkers. It’s a blend from various Central and South American countries with notes of cocoa and rich praline (1).
Medium roast coffee is ideal for anyone seeking a versatile and balanced coffee experience. Its flavor profile suits various brewing methods, including drip, pour-over, espresso, and even cold brew. It strikes a pleasing middle ground between bright acidity and robust bitterness, making it a popular choice for many coffee drinkers.
Our journey through the top 11 best medium roast coffee brands of 2023 has revealed a spectrum of flavors, aromas, and experiences that cater to every palate.
Remember, the "best" medium roast coffees are ultimately a matter of personal preference, so explore and savor the journey as you uncover your own favorite brews.
Happy brewing!