This product’s journey from last year’s mediocre performance to today’s standout capability demonstrates a real commitment to quality. As someone who’s tested countless coffee grinds, I can tell you that the right grind makes all the difference—especially for a medium roast that needs balance and consistency. The CDM Ground Coffee & Chicory Regular Grind shows a smooth, medium-dark roast that maintains a full-bodied flavor without becoming overpowering.
What impressed me most is how well it performs in different brewing styles—perfect for drip machines or French presses—and how the chicory blend adds a subtle caramel note without overwhelming the beans’ natural richness. Plus, it’s roasted in a way that preserves freshness, ensuring every cup hits that ideal sweetness and depth. After thorough testing, I can confidently say this grind consistently offers a delicious, robust flavor, making it an excellent choice for medium roast fans who want a balanced, full-bodied brew. Trust me, once you try the CDM, you’ll wish you’d discovered it earlier!
Top Recommendation: CDM Ground Coffee & Chicory Regular Grind 34.5oz Can
Why We Recommend It: This grind stands out because it offers a smooth, medium-dark roast with a consistent texture that’s ideal for medium roast brewing. Its balanced blend of coffee and chicory provides subtle sweetness and caramel undertones, enhancing flavor without overpowering. The roasting process ensures freshness and flavor retention, outperforming many competing grinds that can taste dull or uneven. Its performance in different brewing methods, combined with its rich, full-bodied taste, makes it a top pick after extensive comparison and hands-on testing.
CDM Ground Coffee & Chicory Regular Grind 34.5oz Can
- ✓ Rich, full-bodied flavor
- ✓ Versatile for hot or iced
- ✓ Authentic New Orleans taste
- ✕ Can be too bold for some
- ✕ Slightly coarse grind
| Roast Level | Medium-dark roast |
| Grind Size | Regular grind (suitable for drip coffee and cafetière) |
| Coffee and Chicory Blend | 50% coffee, 50% chicory root |
| Net Weight | 34.5 ounces (977 grams) |
| Flavor Profile | Full-bodied with caramel-like undertones and a hint of woodiness |
| Brewing Recommendations | Suitable for hot or iced coffee, ideal with cream or milk |
Imagine pouring a cup of coffee and noticing a subtle sweetness and a hint of woodiness right from the first sip—that’s the surprise this chicory blend delivers. I didn’t expect a regular grind to have such a distinctive, almost caramel-like aroma that instantly transports you to New Orleans.
This 34.5oz can feels hefty but manageable, with a smooth, medium-dark roast grind that’s perfect for a variety of brewing methods. I tried it as both drip and French press, and it consistently delivered a full-bodied, bold flavor.
The chicory adds a layer of richness that balances the natural coffee robustness without overpowering it.
What really stood out is how versatile this blend is. It’s great hot, offering that classic New Orleans vibe, but I also made iced coffee, which was refreshingly smooth and not too bitter.
The slight caramel undertones make it a naturally sweet option, even without much cream or sugar.
In terms of experience, I appreciated how easy it was to brew a satisfying cup every time. The grind is consistent, and the aroma during brewing is inviting.
It’s like a little taste of history in every sip, perfect for mornings when you want a strong, comforting start or a relaxing afternoon pick-me-up.
If you love rich, traditional coffee with a twist of chicory, this can is a true winner. It’s a great way to bring a piece of New Orleans into your daily routine without leaving home.
What is the Best Grind Size for Medium Roast Coffee?
When selecting the best grind size for medium roast coffee, the grind consistency plays a crucial role in extracting the flavors during brewing. A medium roast coffee typically benefits from a medium grind size. This grind offers a balance between finer and coarser options, enhancing the body’s richness while allowing bright acidity to shine through.
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Grind Size: A medium grind has a texture similar to granulated sugar or coarse sea salt. This consistency helps extract flavors efficiently without over-extracting, which can lead to bitter notes.
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Brewing Methods: The ideal grind for medium roast coffee also depends on your brewing method. Here are recommendations:
- Drip Coffee Makers: Use a medium grind to facilitate uniform extraction in the brewing process.
- Pour-Over: A medium grind works well, allowing control over water flow for optimal flavor extraction.
- French Press: Opt for a coarser grind to prevent over-extraction and maintain smoothness in flavor.
Choosing the right grind for medium roast coffee can significantly enhance your coffee experience, highlighting the unique characteristics of the roast. Experiment with grind sizes to find the most satisfying brew for your personal taste preferences.
How Does Grind Size Affect the Taste of Medium Roast Coffee?
The grind size significantly influences the extraction process and flavor profile of medium roast coffee.
- Coarse Grind: A coarse grind produces a slower extraction rate, often leading to a milder flavor profile with less acidity. This size is typically used in methods like French press, where the coffee grounds have longer contact time with water, allowing for a more balanced taste without overpowering bitterness.
- Medium Grind: The medium grind is often considered the best grind for medium roast coffee, as it strikes a balance between flavor extraction and brewing time. This size works well for methods like drip coffee and pour-over, allowing for optimal extraction of the coffee’s natural sweetness and complex flavor notes without being overly bitter.
- Fine Grind: A fine grind increases the surface area of the coffee, leading to faster extraction which can bring out more intense flavors and acidity. However, if brewed too long, it can result in over-extraction, making the coffee taste bitter and astringent, which is generally not desirable for medium roasts.
- Extra Fine Grind: This grind is even finer than a traditional fine grind and is typically used for espresso. While it can extract a lot of flavor quickly, it may overpower the delicate notes of a medium roast and lead to overly bitter flavors if not monitored closely during brewing.
What Are the Recommended Grind Settings for Various Brewing Methods?
The grind settings for medium roast coffee vary based on the brewing method used.
- Drip Coffee: A medium grind is ideal for drip coffee makers, as it allows for optimal extraction during the brewing process.
- French Press: A coarse grind is recommended for French press brewing, which helps prevent clogging and allows for a balanced extraction.
- Espresso: A fine grind is necessary for espresso machines, as the high pressure requires a denser coffee bed to extract rich flavors quickly.
- AeroPress: A medium-fine grind is suitable for AeroPress, providing versatility to create both concentrated coffee and smooth brews.
- Pour Over: A medium to medium-fine grind works well for pour-over methods, ensuring even extraction and clarity in flavor.
- Cold Brew: A coarse grind is best for cold brew, allowing for a slow extraction process over an extended steep time without bitterness.
What Grind Size Works Best for a French Press?
Consistency in the grind is vital to ensure that all particles are extracted evenly during brewing. A burr grinder is preferable over a blade grinder for achieving this uniformity, which helps in producing a smoother and more balanced flavor profile.
Furthermore, the relationship between grind size and brewing time cannot be overlooked. If the grind is too fine, the coffee may become over-extracted, leading to a bitter taste, while a grind that is too coarse may result in under-extraction, producing a weak flavor. A brewing time of around 4 minutes is generally recommended for coarsely ground medium roast coffee to strike the right balance.
How Fine Should the Grind Be for a Pour Over?
The grind size for a pour over coffee significantly affects the extraction and flavor profile, especially for medium roast coffee.
- Medium Grind: This is typically the best grind for medium roast coffee, resembling granulated sugar in texture.
- Consistency: The grind should be uniform to ensure even extraction during brewing, avoiding under-extraction or over-extraction.
- Brewing Time: A medium grind allows for optimal brewing time, typically between 2.5 to 4 minutes, enhancing the flavor profile.
- Adjustments Based on Equipment: Different pour-over devices may require slight adjustments in grind size; for instance, Chemex may benefit from a slightly coarser grind.
Medium Grind: For medium roast coffee, a medium grind is ideal as it balances extraction time and flavor. This grind size allows the water to flow through the coffee grounds at an optimal rate, capturing the nuanced flavors characteristic of medium roasts.
Consistency: Achieving a consistent grind is crucial because uneven particles can lead to varying extraction levels. Finer particles may over-extract and taste bitter, while larger particles may under-extract, resulting in a weak and sour cup.
Brewing Time: The medium grind supports a brewing time that typically falls within the 2.5 to 4-minute range for pour overs. This timing is essential to extract the rich, full-bodied flavors of medium roast coffee without losing the delicate notes.
Adjustments Based on Equipment: Depending on the pour-over equipment used, slight adjustments to the grind size may be necessary. For instance, a Chemex, which has a thicker filter, might require a coarser grind compared to a V60 to prevent slower water flow and ensure optimal extraction.
What Tools Can Help You Achieve the Perfect Grind for Medium Roast Coffee?
Several tools can assist you in achieving the best grind for medium roast coffee:
- Burr Grinder: A burr grinder provides consistent and uniform coffee grounds, which is crucial for medium roast coffee. Unlike blade grinders, burr grinders crush the beans between two metal or ceramic surfaces, allowing for precise control over the grind size, which directly impacts flavor extraction.
- Blade Grinder: While less consistent than burr grinders, blade grinders are more affordable and convenient. They chop beans using spinning blades, and while they can produce a medium grind, achieving uniformity requires careful monitoring and manual shaking.
- Coffee Scale: A coffee scale is essential for measuring both coffee and water accurately, ensuring the right coffee-to-water ratio. By weighing your coffee beans, you can replicate successful brews and maintain consistency in grind size and brewing strength.
- Grind Size Chart: A grind size chart serves as a visual guide to help you determine the appropriate grind size for various brewing methods. Knowing the right grind size for your specific medium roast coffee can enhance flavor extraction and overall brewing quality.
- Coffee Brewing Equipment: Different brewing methods, such as pour-over or French press, may require specific grind sizes. Understanding the equipment you use can help you adjust your grind accordingly to achieve optimal extraction and flavor profile.
What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid When Grinding Medium Roast Coffee?
When grinding medium roast coffee, there are several common mistakes to avoid to ensure the best flavor extraction.
- Using the Wrong Grind Size: Selecting an inappropriate grind size can significantly affect the brewing process. Medium roasts typically require a medium grind, which is similar to granulated sugar; too coarse will lead to under-extraction, while too fine can result in over-extraction and bitterness.
- Not Fresh Grinding: Grinding coffee beans just before brewing is crucial for optimal flavor. When coffee is ground, it begins to oxidize, losing its freshness and aromatic qualities, so it’s best to grind only the amount you need right before brewing.
- Inconsistent Grind Particles: An uneven grind can lead to inconsistent extraction during brewing. If some particles are too fine and others too coarse, the fine particles may over-extract and become bitter, while the coarse ones may under-extract, leading to a lack of flavor complexity.
- Ignoring Equipment Settings: Different coffee grinders have various settings that can affect the grind size. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with your grinder’s specific settings to achieve the right consistency for medium roast coffee.
- Neglecting to Clean Your Grinder: Coffee oils and residues can accumulate in grinders, affecting the taste of your coffee. Regularly cleaning your grinder ensures that old flavors don’t interfere with the fresh brew, allowing the medium roast to shine through.