Single-origin coffee and blends are two of the main categories within specialty coffee, which currently dominate the market in the coffee industry.
Today, there's a great deal of flexibility when selecting variations in roast levels, blends, acidity, and even flavor profiles. For those just starting out in the world of coffee , the variety can be overwhelming.
However, with a little information, it's possible to determine which type of coffee best suits each person's tastes and preferences.
What is a coffee blend?
A coffee blend is a mixture of single-origin coffee beans.
There are a variety of ways roasters prepare blends. Some include coffee blends from a specific country or region, while others combine beans from different countries. Roasters experiment with a variety of bean combinations to highlight different flavor notes, achieving a delicious and well-balanced cup of coffee.
Coffee shops often create blends as exclusive or seasonal products, and blends make up a large portion of the coffees found in supermarkets. Many people enjoy blends for their consistency of flavor and relative uniqueness depending on the coffee shop they visit.
Plus, it's easy to tell blends apart in stores: most of the time, they're clearly labeled as blends on their packaging.
What is single origin coffee?
Single-origin coffee comes from beans grown and processed in the same location or harvest (and often from the same farm). This type of coffee is typically identified by the name of a specific country on its packaging (e.g., Kona coffee from Hawaii or Sumatra coffee from Indonesia).
People who enjoy single-origin coffee appreciate its unique flavor notes. Because it's "pure," its original taste is preserved. Different regions have distinct climates and growing conditions, creating remarkably varied flavors. For example, Colombian coffee is known for its chocolate, caramel, and fruit flavors, while Mexican coffee stands out for its chocolate and nutty flavors.
Why do roasters create coffee blends?
While single-origin coffees offer an adventurous experience, their flavor tends to be inconsistent over time due to climate changes that affect harvests.
To counteract this, roasters create blends that are consistent in flavor and less vulnerable to seasonal changes. Blends are often the default choice for espresso in coffee shops, as they pair well with milk and sugar. Furthermore, their consistent flavor appeals to a wider audience. Blends also help coffee shops differentiate themselves, as they are often created specifically for them and sold exclusively.
Why do roasters offer single origin coffee?
Roasters offer single-origin coffee to satisfy those seeking a unique cup of coffee and an exclusive flavor experience in its purest form. Customers can taste coffee from around the world and appreciate the subtleties between different countries.
The aroma, acidity, and flavors of single-origin coffee are often more pronounced than those of blends. Some coffee shops even have exclusive rights to sell certain single-origin coffees, making them even more exclusive.
Single-origin coffee is typically prepared as pour-over or drip coffee, methods that best bring out the coffee's original flavor.
Differences between single origin coffee and blends
Flavor
The most notable difference between single-origin coffee and blends lies in their flavor. Single-origin coffee tends to be brighter, with floral or citrus notes, while blends typically have chocolate, caramel, and nutty flavors.
Single-origin coffee reflects the pure flavor of its region of origin, as it is not combined with other beans or altered. However, because its flavor depends on the climate and growing conditions, it can vary slightly from season to season. Blends, on the other hand, offer a more balanced and consistent flavor, as their blend minimizes seasonal variations.
Traceability
With blends, tracing origin is often difficult or ambiguous. At best, roasters include the blend's country of origin, but not specific information about the farm or producer.
In contrast, single-origin coffee can usually be traced back to a country, a farm, a producer, and even the lot where it was grown. This information is valuable, as it allows consumers to better understand the coffee they are drinking and appreciate the farmers and workers behind the process. This is an important pillar of the "third wave" coffee movement, which seeks to recognize the value of coffee farms and connect coffee's roots with the consumer.
Which one is right for you?
The choice between single-origin coffees and blends depends on personal preference. Here are some suggestions that may help:
- If you're looking for a well-balanced, consistently reliable coffee to enjoy for months, a good blend will be an excellent choice.
- If you're interested in comparing the unique characteristics of coffees from different regions of the world, single-origin coffees are ideal.
- For those starting out with home coffee and looking for an affordable option without too many surprises, a blend is the best choice.
- If you're curious about more vibrant flavors like strawberry, jasmine, or cane sugar, single-origin coffees tend to offer these notes more often than blends.