Medium vs dark roast: which should you buy?
By the CDL Team. Updated 2026-10-22.
Choose medium roast if you want to taste more of the origin, such as fruit and citrus notes. Choose dark roast if you prefer a bolder, roastier cup, drink coffee with milk, or make espresso. Every coffee in our shop is sold in both Medium and Dark, so you can buy the same origin either way.
Medium roast
Medium roasts keep more of the flavors the roaster describes for the origin. For example, Wind & Fire lists lemon-orange for Costa Rica La Magnolia and sweet tangerine and peach for Peru La Esperanza.
Dark roast
Dark roasts trade some of those origin notes for roast flavor and body. They are a common pick for espresso, French press, and coffee with milk.
| Shop coffee | Roaster tasting notes | Roast options |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica La Magnolia Tres Rios | Lemon-orange, chocolate, nutty | Medium or Dark |
| Guatemala Finca Santa Margarita | Milk chocolate, light citrus, caramel, brown sugar, honey | Medium or Dark |
| Peru Organic Finca La Esperanza | Cocoa, sweet tangerine, peach, almond | Medium or Dark |
Coffees to buy
- Costa Rica La Magnolia Tres Rios — 12 oz whole bean, sold by Wind & Fire Coffee
- Guatemala Finca Santa Margarita — 12 oz whole bean, sold by Wind & Fire Coffee
- Peru Organic Finca La Esperanza — 12 oz whole bean, sold by Wind & Fire Coffee
Related reviews
- Guatemala Finca Santa Margarita by Wind and Fire Coffee
Frequently asked questions
Does dark roast have more caffeine?
Not meaningfully. Roast level mainly changes flavor; caffeine differences between medium and dark are small.
Are medium and dark versions different products?
No. In our shop, Medium and Dark are roast choices for the same 12 oz whole-bean coffee at the same price.