Medium Roast Is Back on Top: Why More Specialty Drinkers Prefer Balance in 2025
Medium roast is having its moment—again. It’s balanced, versatile, and reveals origin character without turning sour or smoky. If you want one roast that does nearly everything well, start here.
What “Medium” Actually Gets You
- Balance: Acidity and sweetness meet in the middle for drinkability.
- Versatility: Plays nicely with pour-over, espresso, and cold brew.
- Clarity: Showcases the origin’s character—fruit, florals, or chocolate—without tipping into extremes.
How to Brew Medium Roast (So It Sings)
Pour-Over (V60)
- Start 1:16 (coffee:water). Medium-fine grind. 3–3:30 total time.
- Aim for a steady decline in flow; adjust grind and/or agitation to keep drawdown smooth.
Espresso
- Classic 1:2 ratio (e.g., 18 g in → ~36 g out) in 26–32 s; adjust grind, ratios, and time to achieve desired result!
- Lower yields (1:1.7) can boost syrupy sweetness for cappuccinos and lattes.
- Higher yields (1:3) can produce amazing experiences with light roasted/alternative processed coffees.
Cold Brew
- 1:4 concentrate, coarse grind, 12–16 hr steep; dilute 1:1 to serve.
- Medium roast avoids the flatness common in darker roasts but keeps the chocolate depth.
Which Coffees to Try
- Nutty/Cocoa-leaning blend: Everyday crowd-pleaser; milk friendly.
- Fruit-tinged Central or East African lot: For those who want balance with a little sparkle in pour-over.
Steel Oak POV: We roast for balance and integrity—no shortcuts. If the trend lines point to medium, it’s only because it’s where flavor, clarity, and versatility intersect.
CTA: Explore our current medium-roast coffees or start a subscription to keep the sweet spot arriving on schedule.