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The Kitchn’s reviewer ranked Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast first after tasting 10 medium-roast coffees, with Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend in second place. The results reflect one reviewer’s tasting and scoring, not a broad consumer survey or laboratory test.
The Kitchn’s coffee review named Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast its top choice after one reviewer sampled and scored beans from 10 brands. The reviewer praised its citrus, warm-spice and dark-chocolate notes, while Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend placed second; the findings offer a tasting-based guide for shoppers, rather than a universal ranking.
The reviewer said the Bulletproof blend stood out for its floral and fruity aroma, zesty citrus flavor, warm spices and bitter dark-chocolate finish. It earned the highest score in the comparison, finishing 1.5 points ahead of the other coffees, according to the report. The review describes its aftertaste as toasty and cocoa-like, and says the flavor was nuanced enough for regular drip coffee.
The report says the blend contains 100% Arabica beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms in Central and South America. That sourcing description is reported as product information; the tasting itself assessed sensory qualities, not farming practices or certification independently.
Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend was the runner-up. The reviewer described a smooth, chocolaty cup with bright fruit notes and aromas reminiscent of strawberries, tart cherries and hazelnuts. The report listed it at $8.99 for 14 ounces at Trader Joe’s when the article was published and said it is sold whole-bean and pre-ground. Prices and stock can change.
A Practical Guide to Medium Roasts
The comparison gives shoppers a way to narrow a crowded shelf, particularly if they want a coffee that balances bright acidity with a fuller, toasted flavor. Its top pick is described as layered rather than sharply fruity or heavily dark, while the lower-priced runner-up offers another option for those prioritizing value and availability in both whole-bean and pre-ground forms.
The recommendations may also help match beans to brewing habits. The review presents Bulletproof as an everyday drip-coffee choice and identifies Stumptown Holler Mountain as a strong option for espresso and iced coffee. These are the reviewer’s preferences, not evidence that a given bean will taste the same with every grinder, water supply or brewing method.
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How the Coffee Comparison Worked
The reviewer said the 10 coffees were selected based on availability, popularity and price, with prices ranging from $8 to $22 and most around $15 at the time of tasting. The test focused on whole beans rather than pre-ground coffee. Each brand was sampled in a random order during a single afternoon, and the reviewer took notes and assigned scores before tallying the results.
Evaluation criteria included appearance, texture, aroma, willingness to buy again and taste. The report notes that the reviewer took only a few sips of each coffee. It also describes medium roast as a middle ground between lighter, brighter flavors and the richer, more chocolaty profile often associated with dark roasts. The article does not describe a blind panel or a standardized brewing protocol.
Alongside the top two, the reviewer named Stumptown Holler Mountain and La Colombe Nizza as honorable mentions. Holler Mountain was described with caramel, stewed-berry and lemon notes and as suitable for espresso or iced coffee. Nizza was characterized as smooth and toastier, with brownie, honey and a hint of green apple; the reviewer said it worked for drip coffee and espresso.
“Each brand was sampled randomly, and I took notes and ranked each one as I went.”
— The Kitchn reviewer, on the comparison method
whole bean coffee Arabica Rainforest Alliance
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Limits of a Single-Person Taste Test
The ranking reflects one reviewer’s palate and the scoring approach described in the article. The report does not provide the full score sheet, precise brewing parameters, water temperature, grinder settings or details about whether the samples were tasted blind. It also does not establish that the winning coffee will suit all drinkers or outperform other products outside the 10 tested.
The source gives price information for the Trader Joe’s runner-up, but does not provide a current price for every coffee. Retail prices and availability may have changed since publication. The review’s flavor descriptions are subjective tasting notes, and the available source material does not give details for every brand included in the comparison.
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Check Prices and Brewing Fit
The report does not announce a follow-up test or a planned update. Shoppers considering the picks can check current store availability and prices, then choose whole-bean or pre-ground coffee based on their equipment and routine. The review’s results are best read as a shortlist: Bulletproof for the top-rated layered profile, Trader Joe’s for a lower listed price, and the honorable mentions for specific brewing preferences.
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Key Questions
Which medium-roast coffee did The Kitchn rank first?
Bulletproof Coffee Original Medium Roast ranked first. The reviewer highlighted citrus, warm spices, dark chocolate and a floral, fruity aroma.
What coffee came in second?
Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend was the runner-up. The reviewer described it as smooth and chocolaty, with bright fruit notes.
How many coffees were tested, and how?
The reviewer sampled 10 brands in a single afternoon, in random order, and scored appearance, texture, smell, willingness to buy again and taste. The test was a single reviewer’s evaluation, not a large consumer panel.
What was the listed price of Trader Joe’s Wake-Up Blend?
The report listed it at $8.99 for 14 ounces at Trader Joe’s when published. The price and availability may have changed.
Are the flavor rankings objective?
No. The results are subjective tasting judgments from one reviewer. Brewing choices and individual preferences can affect how the coffees taste.
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