A method to produce a ceramic matrix composite with controlled surface characteristics includes: applying a scrim ply to a surface of a fiber preform, where the fiber preform includes silicon carbide fibers coated with boron nitride; infiltrating the fiber preform and the scrim ply with a slurry, thereby forming an impregnated ply on an impregnated fiber preform; infiltrating the impregnated fiber preform and the impregnated ply with a melt comprising silicon, and then cooling, thereby forming a ceramic matrix composite having a ceramic surface layer thereon, where the ceramic surface layer has a predetermined thickness and is devoid of boron; machining or grit blasting the ceramic surface layer to form an intermediate layer suitable for coating; and depositing an environmental barrier coating on the intermediate layer. Thus, a ceramic matrix composite coated with the environmental barrier coating is formed with the intermediate layer in between.