A bag of light roast from a famous microlot is a conversation piece. It says, "I know my stuff." But it also says, "You better brew this right." Medium roasts, meanwhile, are chameleons. They work for a V60, but they also do fine in a French press, a drip machine, or even as cold brew. That versatility is a gift in itself.

If your giftee is a one-method purist, a light roast might be the thoughtful choice. But if they're like most people—they have a few ways to make coffee and don't want to think too hard—medium is the flexible all-rounder. Plus, medium roasts often have a longer shelf life for peak flavor, so you don't have to worry about the beans going stale before they're used.

So consider their routine. Do they brew one way religiously, or do they switch it up? The latter is more common, and medium accommodates that.