Medium Roast Coffee
What is medium roast coffee?
Medium roast coffee sits right between light and dark. Usually roasted between 210°C and 220°C, the beans are removed after they ‘crack’ – as the moisture turns into steam, the oil rises to the surface. You’re left with coffee that has a balanced acidity and more developed caramelised flavours.
The best medium roast coffee retains some of the acidity of lighter coffee, but it’s tempered with added body. You’ll taste the flavours of the roasting process itself, which can be toasty or nutty (depending on your brewing method). While medium roasts lose some of the floral notes typical of light roasts, medium roast arabica coffee has undertones of nuts and chocolate.
If you’re new to specialty coffee, a medium roast from Bold Street Coffee is the best place to start. Try Pulsa or Los Pijao, and taste exactly what we love about well-roasted medium profiles. A comforting cup full of milk chocolate sweetness with caramel notes - enjoy as part of a milk-based drink or on its own. It’s specialty coffee, your way.
Locations
We're always brewing good times nearby
Bold Street, Liverpool
Bold Street Coffee,
89 Bold Street,
Liverpool, L1 4GD
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8am – 6pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm
In our original location, you can find Bold Street Coffee serving up signature breakfast dishes, sandwiches, and sweet treats, like doughnuts and pastries.
How to find us:
Head to St. Luke’s (locally known as the ‘Bombed-Out church’). You’ll find yourself at the bottom of Bold Street, where we’re just a couple of minutes walk up the road.
The Plaza, Liverpool
Bold Street Coffee, The Plaza,
100 Old Hall Street,
Liverpool, L3 4QJ
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 3pm
Fancy a full English breakfast in the heart of Liverpool’s business district? Our Plaza location brings the same quality coffee and breakfast options to professionals. We even offer a 20% discount to residents of The Plaza and Cotton Exchange!
How to find us:
Walk into The Plaza building on Old Hall Street, just a short trek from Moorfields Station.
What makes medium roast coffee so special?
Balance
Medium roast coffee does a bit of everything. It has enough development to bring sweetness and depth, but not so much that the coffee's character (terroir) is lost.
It’s both light and clear, but as the fibre of the bean breaks down under increased heat, you get the syrupy, rounded mouthfeel that keeps you coming back for more.
Texture
Medium roast tends to have a little more weight in the cup than lighter profiles. That means more body and a fuller feel without the oily residue of darker roasts.
Roasting stops before the oils break the surface, so the best medium roast coffee has enough body to stand up to the French press, but shines in a pour-over.
Keeps the coffee’s character
With medium roasts, you still get to experience the coffee’s terroir (the environment where it was grown). Dark roasts are smokier, and light roasts are bright and acidic. Medium balances both by preserving the profile.
So, when you’re sampling the ripe fruit flavours of San Isidro or the syrupy notes of La Leona, you’re getting to taste the sweetest version of its origin.
Brewing versatility
Light roasts can taste sour when run through certain espresso machines, and some dark roasts aren’t suited to a pour-over. Medium roast arabica coffee, however, is easy to work with.
How are you brewing yours at home: V60, French Press or Moka Pot? No matter the method, medium roasts deliver consistent flavour.
Shop Bold Street’s medium roast favourites
Los Pijao
Los Pijao is our house espresso from Huila, Colombia.
With this smooth, rounded coffee, you can expect a syrupy mouthfeel that works brilliantly as espresso and cuts through milk well. Expect a decadent milk chocolate and caramel profile with a clean finish.
Pulsa
As a medium roast coffee, Pulsa brings the balance we look for: plenty of body, soft sweetness, and a cherry brightness that keeps the cup lifted.
As espresso, enjoy this coffee’s chocolate and nougat flavours, with a gentle fruit note running through. With milk, it’s creamy; or you can enjoy it in its full clarity, black.
La Leona
La Leona is a clean, washed Pacas variety from Honduras.
This coffee is a great option if you like switching between brew methods at home. Brew it as espresso for more body, or take it through V60, AeroPress or cafetière for something a little cleaner.
You’ll taste Daim Bar, golden syrup, and cacao nibs, with a gentle chocolate finish.
Why people love our Coffee
So, what makes medium roast coffee so popular? Smooth and balanced, medium roast coffee brings out natural sweetness with notes of chocolate, caramel and soft fruit. At Bold Street Coffee, we roast our medium roast coffee to create a cup that’s rich, approachable and full of flavour.
Locally sourced ingredients
Locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of everything we do at Bold Street Coffee. We work closely with trusted suppliers to bring in fresh, high-quality produce that supports local businesses and keeps our menu full of flavour. It’s all part of our commitment to quality you can taste in every bite and sip.
A Warm Welcome Every Time
Great coffee is only part of the experience at Bold Street Coffee. Our team is passionate about what they do, serving each cup with care and confidence. With expert knowledge of our rotating speciality blends, you’ll always be met by friendly faces who are ready to help you find your perfect brew.
A Space to Relax
What better way to enjoy a coffee and a full English breakfast than in a warm, inviting setting? At Bold Street Coffee, our cosy interior is designed to help you slow down and savour the moment, creating the perfect backdrop to enjoy great food and even better coffee.
Loved by Our Community
Don’t just take our word for it, our guests say it best. Over the years, we’ve welcomed coffee lovers from all over, building a loyal following who return time and time again. It’s their kind words and glowing reviews that truly capture what Bold Street Coffee is all about.
Medium Roast Coffee FAQs
What does omni-roast mean?
Omni-roast means the coffee has been roasted to work across different brew methods. So, if you switch between V60, AeroPress, cafetière and espresso at home, an omni-roast is a good shout.
How does a medium roast taste compared to light or dark?
Dark roasts are smokier, light roasts are brighter and more acidic: medium roasts sit between the two. You get more sweetness and body than a light roast, but more clarity than a dark roast.
Is medium roast coffee strong?
‘Strength’ usually refers to the brew ratio (how much coffee you use vs water), not the roast level. However, if you're talking about caffeine, medium and dark roasts are not automatically higher in caffeine — caffeine levels are mostly stable through roasting.
Should I drink medium roast black or with milk?
Either. That’s the point!
Medium roast has enough body and sweetness to work well with milk (especially if you’re partial to flat whites or cappuccinos). But it should also have enough clarity to drink black.
Turns out, they love our coffee
