At a glance
Why medium roast for decaf?
Medium roast sits at the sweet spot for decaf drinkers who care about both flavor and compound retention. Lighter roasts preserve more chlorogenic acids and polyphenols, but they also carry a brightness and acidity that not everyone wants in an everyday cup. Dark roasts mellow that acidity but burn off a significant portion of beneficial antioxidants in the process. Medium roast threads that needle - enough heat to develop chocolate and stone fruit character, not so much that the antioxidant load drops sharply. It is the roast level where chlorogenic acid retention is meaningfully higher than dark roast while still tasting like a familiar, approachable coffee. The “Donut Shop” label signals exactly what this coffee is built for: smooth, balanced, no sharp edges. It is the style of coffee that made filter drip the default American morning ritual - round in the cup, easy to drink, nothing to fight through. The Swiss Water® Process and Fair Trade Organic sourcing from the JUMARP cooperative in Northern Peru elevate what is otherwise a classic format. Drip filter and pour-over are the natural home for this roast; the brewing method adds its own clarity and the medium roast body holds up without overpowering it.What compounds are in Donut Shop Medium Roast?
Antioxidants
Medium roast retains higher antioxidant levels than dark roast, making this a strong everyday source.
Chlorogenic Acids
More chlorogenic acids survive medium roast than dark roast - a key reason to choose medium for health-conscious drinkers.
Polyphenols
Plant-derived compounds present throughout the roast range; concentration is higher in medium than dark roast.
Tannins
Contribute to the medium body and slight dryness in the finish that defines Donut Shop style.
Diterpenes
Cafestol and kahweol are present in the bean; most are removed through paper filter brewing.
Trigonelline
A niacin precursor that degrades at darker roast temperatures. Medium roast preserves more than dark.
Brewing methods
Medium roast is the most versatile roast level for filter-based brewing. It produces a clean, balanced cup through methods that highlight sweetness and body without adding bitterness. Pour-over and drip filter are the primary pairings; paper filtration removes diterpenes and lets the milk chocolate and stone fruit notes come through clearly. This roast also works in French press and AeroPress - see French Press and AeroPress for grind and ratio guides.Pour Over
Highlights the stone fruit and balances the chocolate notes. Medium-coarse grind, 2-3 minute pour.
Drip Filter
The classic format for Donut Shop style. Consistent extraction, clean cup, easy to batch brew.
Coffee drinks
Medium roast holds up well in milk-based drinks. The chocolate and stone fruit notes integrate cleanly with steamed milk without disappearing the way a lighter roast might. See Latte for a full guide to milk-based decaf drinks.Mocha
The milk chocolate tasting notes in this roast pair naturally with added chocolate. A low-caffeine mocha that does not taste compromised.
Comparisons
Decaf vs Regular
How Donut Shop Medium Roast compares to its caffeinated equivalent in flavor, compounds, and caffeine content.
Sourcing and certifications
The beans come from the JUMARP cooperative in the Yamón District of the Amazonas Region in Northern Peru. Growing altitude of 1,600-1,800 meters and fully washed processing contribute to the clean, balanced profile - high-altitude beans develop more slowly and carry more concentrated sugars and acids, which survive into the cup as stone fruit character. Fair Trade Organic certification means the farmers receive a price floor above commodity rates and follow organic growing standards. Full sourcing details are at /brand/sourcing. Swiss Water® Process certification covers the decaffeination step. The process uses no chemical solvents - caffeine is removed through osmosis using water from the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Third-party certification from Swiss Water® verifies the 99.9% caffeine removal claim on every batch. Certification details and what the Fair Trade Organic label covers are at /brand/certifications.Where to buy
Shop Donut Shop Medium Roast
Whole bean, roasted to order. Ships within days of roast date.