Medium roasts hit the sweet spot. They're roasted long enough to develop body and sweetness, but not so long that they taste like charcoal. You get notes of chocolate, nuts, and caramel, with a subtle hint of fruit or floral depending on the origin. It's the kind of coffee that pleases most palates, which is exactly what you want when you're gifting.

Compare that to a light roast, which can be startlingly acidic and tea-like. Some people love that, but if you're not sure, it's a gamble. A dark roast? That's often bitter and smoky, which is an acquired taste. Medium is the middle path, and it's forgiving enough to brew with a V60 even if the recipient is a newbie.