Medium Roast

A medium roast coffee is made from coffee beans that have been roasted to a beautiful milk-chocolate colour, typically being pulled from the roaster just after the first crack but well before the second. Because they sit perfectly in the middle of the roasting scale, the beans develop a smooth, dry surface completely free of visible surface oils.

This style of roasting is incredibly popular across the UK because it offers the ultimate balance of flavour. It retains some of the bright, distinct origin characteristics and gentle fruitiness of a light roast, while introducing the comforting, naturally sweet notes of caramel, toasted nuts, and milk chocolate found in deeper roasts. It is a highly versatile option that forms the backbone of a reliable, all-day brew.

To make medium roast coffee correctly, you can use almost any popular brewing method - including a cafetière, a drip filter machine, or an espresso maker - because its balanced profile is incredibly forgiving and versatile. Achieving a great cup simply relies on matching your grind size to your chosen piece of kit.

Follow this guide for brewing medium roast coffee to perfection:

The Equipment: For a comforting, classic mug, choose a traditional cafetière or a pour-over filter. If you prefer a richer, milk-based drink, a medium roast like our Cheerfully Colombian works beautifully through an espresso machine.

The Water Temperature: Pull your kettle off the boil and let it stand for about 60 seconds to reach roughly 94°C. This temperature is ideal for extracting the smooth sweetness without pulling out any harsh notes.

The Grind: Match your grind to your method. Use a coarse, chunky grind for a cafetière, a medium consistency like wet sand for a filter machine, or a very fine grind for espresso.

The Ratio: As a golden rule, use roughly 15g to 18g of coffee (about one rounded tablespoon) for every 250ml mug of water to ensure a perfectly balanced strength.

A standard 250ml mug of medium roast filter coffee contains roughly 100mg to 120mg of caffeine, providing a steady, reliable boost in alertness and mental focus. This makes it a fantastic daytime choice for keeping your energy levels topped up without overloading your system.

There is a common misconception that darker roasts contain more caffeine because they taste stronger and more bitter. In reality, the roasting process actually breaks down a tiny fraction of the caffeine molecules under intense heat. This means a medium strength coffee bean naturally retains slightly more caffeine by volume than a dark roast, while offering a much smoother, sweeter, and less astringent taste profile that is exceptionally easy to drink.