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The Kitchn’s reviewer tasted and ranked medium-roast coffees from 10 brands, naming Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast the winner. Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend came second, with Stumptown Holler Mountain and La Colombe Nizza also receiving honorable mentions.
The Kitchn has named Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast its top pick after its reviewer sampled and ranked 10 medium-roast coffees, citing a mix of citrus, warm spice and dark-chocolate flavors. Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend placed second, while Stumptown Holler Mountain and La Colombe Nizza received honorable mentions.
The reviewer said Bulletproof’s coffee stood out for its floral and fruity aroma, zesty citrus taste and warm-spice notes, with a bitter dark-chocolate finish. It received the highest score in the test, finishing one and a half points ahead of the other coffees, according to The Kitchn. The report describes it as a balanced option for everyday drip coffee and says the blend is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms in Central and South America.
Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend was the runner-up. The reviewer described a smooth, toasty cup with bright, fruity notes and a chocolaty finish, and said the coffee is sold whole-bean and pre-ground. The report listed it at $8.99 for 14 ounces at Trader Joe’s when the article was updated; it also described the blend as organic and fair trade. Prices and availability may change.
The honorable mentions were Stumptown Holler Mountain, which the reviewer associated with caramel, stewed berries and lemon and recommended for espresso or iced coffee, and La Colombe Nizza, described as rich and smooth, with notes of brownies, honey and green apple. The supplied source excerpt does not include the full findings for all 10 coffees.
How the Top Coffees Differ
The ranking offers shoppers a practical comparison in a crowded category: the reviewer assessed aroma, appearance, texture and taste, rather than relying only on roast labels or product descriptions. The top two also span different price points in the report, with Trader Joe’s listed at $8.99 for 14 ounces and most of the tested coffees priced around $15 at the time of tasting.
The results are most useful as one reviewer’s guided taste test, not a universal verdict. Coffee preferences vary, and the report’s notes give readers a way to match a selection to the flavors they like: Bulletproof for citrus and cocoa, Trader Joe’s for fruit and toast, or Stumptown for a brighter espresso or iced drink.
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How the Tasting Was Conducted
The Kitchn reviewer said the test focused on whole-bean coffee, with brands selected based on availability, popularity and price. The 10 coffees cost between $8 and $22, while most were around $15 when the tasting took place. The reviewer sampled them in a single afternoon, taking a few sips of each.
Each coffee was tasted in a random order, and the reviewer recorded notes and scores before tallying the results. The report says the scoring considered look, smell, texture, willingness to buy and taste. It does not provide, in the supplied material, a full scoring rubric or detailed brewing parameters for each sample.
The article notes that roast level is one factor shaping flavor. Medium roasts generally sit between the brighter profile associated with light roasts and the deeper, more roasted flavors often associated with dark roasts. Origin and processing can also affect what ends up in the cup.
“I evaluated medium-roast coffee beans from 10 different brands based on texture, look, smell, eagerness to buy, and, of course, taste.”
— The Kitchn reviewer, describing the testing process
Limits of the Published Comparison
The ranking reflects one reviewer’s tasting; the supplied report does not describe a panel of tasters or an independent laboratory analysis. It also does not give the full results and scores for every brand, the precise brewing method and recipe used for each coffee, or the complete list of coffees tested. Those details limit how closely readers can reproduce the comparison.
The source says product selections are made independently but that The Kitchn may earn a commission if readers buy through its links. It also says prices were accurate at the time of publishing, but the provided material does not identify the date of that update. Current prices, stock and product formulations are not confirmed here.
Check Prices Before Buying
The report does not announce a follow-up tasting or a new testing date. Readers considering a purchase can check the brands’ current product listings and local retailers for availability, package size and price. Because coffee’s taste can vary with brewing equipment, grind and personal preference, the reviewer’s flavor descriptions may help narrow options, but they cannot predict every drinker’s experience.
Key Questions
Which medium-roast coffee won the taste test?
Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast was The Kitchn reviewer’s top pick among the 10 coffees sampled.
What did the winning coffee taste like?
The reviewer reported citrus and warm-spice notes, a floral and fruity aroma, and a bitter dark-chocolate finish.
Which coffee came in second?
Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend was the runner-up. The report described it as smooth and toasty, with fruity aromas and a chocolaty flavor.
How were the coffees compared?
The reviewer tasted coffees from 10 brands in random order and recorded scores based on factors including appearance, smell, texture, willingness to buy and taste. The supplied report does not give the full scoring rubric or brewing details.
Are the prices in the report current?
Not necessarily. The article listed Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend at $8.99 for 14 ounces and said its prices were accurate at the time of publishing; the update date is not included in the supplied source.
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