Skip to content
Specialty AtlasFree app · iOS and Android
Get it
Specialty Atlas home

Search Specialty Atlas

Cities, cafés, roasters and articles.

Beans & Processing

Medium roast

Medium roast is a bean roasting profile that seeks the perfect balance between the natural acidity of the fruit and the sweetness developed in the roaster. The beans spend slightly more time in high temperatures than light roasts, which deepens their flavor and shifts the notes from bright citrus toward nuts, caramel, or ripe stone fruits. In the cup, this coffee offers a heavier body (meaning a thicker, richer sensation on the tongue) and a smoother, more rounded character. This roasting style is incredibly versatile, performing exceptionally well in both traditional espresso and home moka pots. In specialty coffee shops, these beans are often the go-to choice for a balanced black coffee or a harmonious pairing with milk.