Best Medium Roast Coffee: Top 9 Brands

The best medium roast coffee is the one that delivers consistent quality, smooth flavor, and balanced freshness, availability, and price. However, there is no single 'best' medium roast coffee that suits all palates, brewing methods, drink types, or budgets. Choosing the best medium roast is a personal decision shaped by your preferred flavor notes, how you brew your coffee, whether you drink it black or with milk, and how much you’re willing to spend. The following list shows top 9 medium roasts for different brewing methods, budgets, and popular coffee drinks.

1. Colipse Colombian Excelso Coffee
2. Blue Bottle Beta Blend
3. Caribou Blend Medium Roast
4. Black Rifle Coffee Just Black Roast
5. Kona Gold Medium/Dark Roast
6. McCafe Premium Roast Ground Coffee
7. Gevalia Colombia Medium Roast K-Cup® Coffee
8. Coffee Kult Kenya Coffee
9. Café Britt Costa Rican Montecielo Coffee

1. Colipse Colombian Excelso Coffee

Colipse Colombian Excelso is a medium roast from Colombia made with specialty-grade Caturra and Red Catuai Arabica beans that are wet processed and sundried. This is the best tasting medium roast ground coffee for drip brewing because it is freshly roasted and shipped the same day. The coffee beans are handpicked, fully traceable to the Fairtrade Organic certified Café del Macizo cooperative, meet specialty standards, and come in coarse, medium, and fine grinds with package sizes from 12 oz to 5 lb, including free shipping and volume discounts. This Colombian medium roast coffee is ideal for auto drip makers like KitchenAid, Kenwood, or DeLonghi and easy to brew for iced coffee, café au lait, or a simple coffee tonic.

Taste: Colipse Colombian Excelso medium roast ground coffee features a rounded body with bright acidity and mild sweetness. It delivers flavors of dark chocolate, mango, and peach. The coffee provides a smooth mouthfeel and a clean finish, leaving a refreshing aftertaste akin to fruit chocolate. It pairs well with pastries, dark chocolate, and fresh fruit. Although our medium roast is best for auto drip, it’s also available in whole bean for those who grind fresh at home for coffee machines like Jura, Breville, or Philips.

About Medium Roast Coffee Brand: Colipse Coffee is an independent online store based in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 2024, selling specialty-grade medium roast coffee.

Availability: Colipse Colombian Excelso medium roast ground coffee is available online in the U.S. through the Colipse website. It is freshly roasted to order and offered in 12 oz, 16 oz, 32 oz, and 5 lb sizes in both whole bean and ground form. Prices start at $23.50 per 12 oz with free U.S. shipping and up to 40% off for larger bags. It is vailable as a subscription, delivered automatically every 1, 2, 3, or even 5 weeks, so you never run out of fresh coffee.

Pros: Roasted fresh to order, free shipping, multiple grind sizes for various brewing methods, free delivery for U.S. orders.

Cons: Slightly more expensive then other store-bought medium roast coffee brands.

Recommendation: Colipse Colombian Excelso is the best medium roast specialty coffee for those seeking a true Colombian cup that’s fresh and roasted on demand.

2. Blue Bottle Beta Blend

Beta Blend by Blue Bottle Coffee is a medium roast whole bean coffee made from 50% Mexican and 50% washed Ethiopian beans. It stands out for its smooth finish and ranks among the best medium roasts. Beta Blend works well in espresso machines, French presses, and bean-to-cup makers. It offers a clear aroma, moderate acidity, and a balanced body with a smooth transition and lingering finish. Beta Blend is available on the Blue Bottle Coffee website and Amazon. It ships to the U.S. and Canada, with bag sizes and grind options starting at about $22.50. It offers consistent roasting and premium taste but lacks roast date transparency.

3. Caribou Blend Medium Roast

Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend is a medium roast made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Sumatra, and Indonesia. It is the best medium roast for versatile home brewing because it’s available in seven grind sizes for moka pot, French press, filter, percolator, and more. Caribou Blend features a clear aroma, balanced acidity, and a smooth body that transitions from the first sip to a clean, light finish. It is available on the Caribou Coffee website, in Caribou coffee shops, and through Amazon and Walmart, starting at 12 oz in whole bean and ground options. Prices begin around $15.99 per 12 oz bag.

4. Black Rifle Coffee Just Black Roast

Black Rifle Coffee Company offers several medium roasts, but Just Black Roast is one of the most popular on Amazon, with over 18,000 reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 average rating. This popular coffee brand is known for its veteran support and first responder advocacy. It delivers a bold, smooth flavor with notes of dark cocoa and a hint of spice, balanced by a clean finish. This coffee suits classic brewing methods like drip machines, AeroPress, and pour-over. It is perfect for those who enjoy strong, smooth black coffee without bitterness, but it’s only sold in whole bean or medium ground, so it is less ideal for cold brew or French press, which need a coarse grind. The Just Black Roast is available on Black Rifle Coffee Company’s website and Amazon in standard 12 oz bags. Prices start at $15.19 but may vary by store, location, or bag size.

5. Kona Gold Medium/Dark Roast

Kona Gold Coffee Medium-Dark Roast by Kona Gold Trading Company is a single origin 100% Kona coffee from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, made from Arabica beans and roasted to a medium-dark Full City level. It is the top premium medium-dark roast Kona coffee because it comes from a limited annual harvest and uses Extra Fancy grade beans, the highest quality classification in Kona coffee. It features an inviting aroma, balanced acidity, and a full body that culminates in a smooth finish with a lingering aftertaste. The product is available on the Kona Gold website in 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, and 5 lb bags. This is the best medium roast coffee gift for those who want something smooth, rich, and special, but it’s expensive at $18.00 for a 4 oz bag.

6. McCafe Premium Roast Ground Coffee

McCafe Premium Roast is a ground coffee made from 100% Arabica beans, medium roasted, and packaged in a 30 oz canister. It is the top-rated medium roast on Amazon, with over 28,000 reviews and a 4.7 average score. It is a solid, reliable choice for everyday brewing with auto drip machines like Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Ninja, or Hamilton Beach. However, the lack of a visible roast date makes it difficult to verify freshness. Additionally, it is only sold in a medium grind, which limits its use for espresso, Moka pots, French presses, or cold brew. This is the best medium roast supermarket coffee available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon, typically priced around $14.00 for a 30 oz canister.

7. Gevalia Colombia Medium Roast K-Cup® Coffee

Colombia Medium Roast K-Cup® Coffee Pods from GEVALIA are a medium roast coffee made with 100% Arabica beans. These are the best-tasting medium roast coffee pods for Keurig brewers because GEVALIA slow-roasts and snap-cools them to lock in a fresh, rich flavor profile. It delivers a clear, smooth consistency from the first sip to the last and leaves a lasting impression, but it lacks a visible roast date, so freshness may vary. This coffee uses 100% Colombian Arabica from high-altitude regions for a smooth, balanced cup. It is a dependable single-serve option. GEVALIA medium roast coffee pods are compatible with Keurig Coffee Brewers, including models like Keurig K-Elite, K-Classic, and K-Supreme. The coffee is available on GEVALIA’s website and several online stores like Amazon and Walmart.

8. Coffee Kult Kenya Coffee

Kenya AA Top Coffee by Koffee Kult is a premium medium roast from Kenya made with SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, and Batian beans roasted locally in Hollywood, Florida. It ranks among the best premium medium roasts from Kenya for pour overs like Chemex, Hario V60, and Kalita Wave because it’s roasted fresh to order. The beans are sourced from high altitudes at 1,600–1,800 masl, fully washed, and dried on raised beds. This coffee is available in whole bean and medium ground forms and works with most bean-to-cup coffee machines like Gaggia, SMEG, and Jura, but not in coarse ground, so it is less ideal for cold brew or French press. The best way to order is through the website to get freshly roasted beans, but the 12 oz bag starts at $26.00 plus shipping fees.

9. Café Britt Costa Rican Montecielo Coffee

Costa Rican Montecielo Coffee by Café Britt is a medium roast from Tarrazú, made from strictly hard beans certified USDA Organic, Kosher, and Gluten-Free. It ranks as the top Costa Rican medium roast from Tarrazú thanks to the region’s high altitude and regulated growing conditions. The beans grow at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,400 meters, are harvested from November to April, and follow distinct rainy and dry seasons. This single origin medium roast is ideal for espresso. It delivers complex flavor, a consistent roast profile, clear aroma, smooth texture, and a balanced, short finish. The coffee is available on the Café Britt website and few online specialty coffee stores, with a 340g (12 oz) bag priced at $20.95 USD.

How to Choose the Best Medium Roast Coffee Beans?

To choose the best medium roast coffee beans, consider factors such as flavor, quality, and your overall brewing experience.

1. Select Bean Type: Arabica medium roast coffee offers smooth flavors with gentle acidity. It grows in high-altitude, cool climates like Guatemala, Honduras, and Ethiopia, and is ideal for a clean, balanced cup with floral, fruity, or chocolatey notes. Robusta medium roast coffee, from Coffea canephora beans, grows in warm, low-altitude regions like Vietnam, India, and Uganda. It has more caffeine than Arabica and offers a budget-friendly option for a strong energy boost.
2. Choose Origin Type: Single origin medium roast coffee comes from one specific location such as a farm, cooperative, or region and offers unique flavors shaped by the local climate and soil. Examples include Sumatra for earthy richness, Kenya for bright acidity, and Brazil for a nutty, chocolatey balance. It is great for those who enjoy unique, traceable flavors, though consistency may vary. Blended medium roast coffee such as Donut Shop or Breakfast blends combines beans from different origins for a balanced, reliable taste. Blends make great everyday coffee with a smooth, consistent profile, but they typically offer less complexity than single origin options.
3. Check Certifications: Medium roast organic coffee is made from beans grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers and is often certified by bodies like USDA Organic. For consumers this means cleaner coffee and for farmers it supports sustainable practices. Many brands offer certified organic options but some farmers grow coffee organically without official certification due to cost and these are often referred to as organic by default.
4. Assess Freshness: Freshly roasted medium roast coffee is better than stale coffee because it retains more flavor, aroma, and natural oils. Fresh roasted beans release carbon dioxide for several days, a process called degassing, which preserves taste and indicates recent roasting. The benefits include richer flavor, stronger aroma, and a more vibrant cup, but the downside is the higher cost versus store-bought supermarket options.
5. Explore Flavor Profiles and Additives: Medium roast coffee is the most common base for flavored coffee such as hazelnut, vanilla, or pumpkin spice. Flavored medium roast coffees are made by infusing roasted beans after roasting with natural or synthetic oils, flavor compounds, or extracts. This offers balance without overpowering added flavors but can mask the coffee’s original origin profile. It is ideal for those who enjoy variety or prefer a sweeter, more approachable cup.
6. Determine Grind Size: Match your medium roast coffee grind size to your brewing method for best results. Use coarse grind for cold brew, French press, and percolators, and fine grind for espresso machines or moka pots. Using other grind sizes is possible but often leads to weak or bitter flavors.
7. Look for Best Deals: There are many ways to explore medium roast coffee without overspending. Choose from bag sizes ranging from 12 oz to 5 lb to lower cost per ounce. Medium roast coffee subscriptions often give discounts and ensure freshness, while coffee-of-the-month clubs let you sample different medium roast options regularly.

What is the Best Place to Buy the Best Medium Roast Coffee?

Colipse Coffee is the best place to buy medium roast coffee online. At Colipse Coffee, our medium roast options offer smooth flavor, versatile grind sizes, and reliable freshness. We roast to order, seal each bag with a degassing valve, and provide free U.S. shipping. Choose from whole bean or ground coffee tailored for espresso, drip, cold brew, and more.

What is the Best Medium Roast Coffee for Espresso?

The best medium roast coffee for espresso offers balanced acidity, chocolate or caramel notes, and a smooth finish. Popular options include Starbucks, Colipse Espresso Blend, and Lavazza. Choose espresso brands in whole beans and grind just before brewing for optimal flavor and crema.

What is the Best Grind Size for Medium Roast Coffee?

The best grind size for medium roast coffee is medium-coarse for pour-over and medium-fine for drip machines. Use medium grind for auto-drip brewers and adjust slightly finer for cone-shaped filters. Grind consistency affects extraction, flavor, and brew time, so match coffee grind types to your brewing method.

What is the Best Way to Brew Medium Roast Coffee?

The best way to brew medium roast coffee is to control grind size, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and extraction time, as shown in the list below.

1. Dial in Your Grind: Use a medium-coarse grind for medium roast coffee. A consistent grind enhances extraction and fully develops flavors.
2. Measure Your Coffee and Water: Apply a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio to achieve balanced strength and smoothness.
3. Control Your Water Temperature: Heat water to 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C) for optimal extraction. Too hot causes bitterness; too cool leads to under-extraction.
4. Time Your Extraction: Brew for 3 to 4 minutes to create a well-rounded taste and avoid unpleasant flavors from over-extraction.
5. Blend for Depth: Mix dark with medium roast coffee for complexity, balancing bold and nuanced flavors.

What is the Difference between Medium and Dark Roast Coffee?

The main difference between medium and dark roast coffee are flavor, acidity, color, and roast time, which affect health benefits, caffeine levels, and overall taste profile. Medium roasts offer balanced acidity with more origin flavor. It features flavor notes of chocolate, caramel, nuts, citrus, and floral tones. Dark roasts are bolder, less acidic, and have a smoky, deeper flavor from extended roasting. They typically feature notes of dark chocolate, smoke, spice, toasted nuts, and molasses, and appear oilier with a darker color.