Nowadays, it is not so hard to find a good Coffee to make a delicious brew at home. Manufacturers give preference to better corps while roasters use new technologies to achieve better results. 

As a result, single-origin coffee starts to gain more popularity as its quality improves. This type of coffee becomes more accessible and can provide you with an excellent flavor. 

However, it doesn’t mean that Blends become less popular. They also constantly improve and become better. That is why more and more people want to know which one is actually better. The truth is that there is no certain answer and everything depends on your preferences. In this article, you can find everything you need to know about the differences between blends and single-origin coffees.

What Is Single Origin Coffee

Single-origin coffee is a coffee that uses beans of the same type from the same plantation. It is the heart of the specialty coffee industry.

The main point is that each and every coffee is unique so it can be really fun to try them all. Nevertheless, single-origin coffee tends to be not so rich and balanced as blends. When it comes to single-origin coffee, it can be way too rough. The point is that there is nothing to mellow and round it a bit. 

One other thing about single-origin coffee is that there is much less consistency as you can immediately feel any imperfections of coffee beans. Also, despite the fact that single-origin coffee may have a well-rounded flavor, it still can be pretty unique and not for everyone. 

Benefits of Drinking Single Origin Coffee

Flavor Profile

Single-origin coffees are known for their pretty exotic and bold taste. As there is no way to change or somehow balance the flavor, this type of coffee is pretty unique and unusual. 

Purity

The main thing about single-origin coffees is their purity. There are no additives just coffee beans collected from one plantation. 

Consistency

When it comes to single-origin coffee, its consistency is not so balanced as one of the blends. It may vary from one batch to another but actually, it can pleasantly surprise you.

How Does Single Origin Coffee Work

As we mentioned before, single-origin coffee is a coffee that was grown and collected on one plantation. It means, that all the beans are grown in the same conditions and as a result, all the beans collected in one butch should have the same characteristics like flavor and aroma. 

Such aspects as climate, soil, amount of sun, altitude, cultivation settings, processing methods, and a botanical variety of coffee trees have a great impact on the quality, aroma, and flavor of coffee beans. As each plantation has its unique features, each single-origin coffee has its unique characteristics as well. 

Brewing single-origin coffee, be ready that you will get a cup of a pretty bold drink with a rich, pretty unique flavor and aroma. Not all of those beans work well with additives like cream, milk, sugar, or glorious and fruity coffee syrups.

Pros and Cons of Single Origin Coffee

Pros

• Each type of single-origin coffee is absolutely unique.
• Each single-origin coffee has its specific characteristics.
• Single-origin coffee is a crafty coffee with specific manufacturing methods that make them unique.
• Single-origin coffee tends to be environment friendly.
• It is a great, tasty organic coffee.
• Single-origin coffee sales have a great impact on industry development.

Cons

• It is hard to find the coffee with the same flavor as there is less consistency when it comes to single-origin coffee.
• Even coffee from the same plantation will have a different flavor that varies from one batch to another.
• It tends to be more expensive than blends as it is harder to produce a high-quality single-origin coffee.

Types of Geographical Coffee Origins

Single Country or Region

The first type of single-origin coffee is the beans that come from the same country or the same region. For example, you can purchase Brazilian or Ethiopian coffee. However, nowadays this type of single-origin coffee is known as a way to broad and often considered as a blend. The reason is that coffee beans from different areas of the same country tend to have different flavor and aroma characteristics. 

Single Farm and Cooperative

The second type of single-origin coffee is coffee beans that are grown on the same farm. The main thing about this type of coffee is that every particular batch tends to have its specific aroma and flavor depending on the farming methods, growing conditions, and processing aspects. It is high-quality coffee that is quite pricy. 

Micro-lot and Nano-lot

The most expensive type of single-origin coffee is coffee beans that are grown on one particular plantation or even part of it within a certain farm. It is an absolutely exclusive and absolutely unique type of single-origin coffee. 

How to Brew Single Origins

Step 1 – Use fresh beans

As you know, coffee beans use their freshness rather fast and the flavor becomes stale. That is while it is very important to use fresh beans if you want to preserve the unique flavor of your beans.

Step 2 – Grind before brewing

It is very important to grind beans right before the brewing process. It will help you to make sure that your coffee is made of fresh beans and the flavor of the drink is great. Also, when it comes to single-origin coffee, it is better to use a burr grinder and change the grind size depending on your brewing method. Moreover, a manual coffee grinder can be very affordable option. 

Step 3 – Use filtered water

It is very important to use filtered water to make sure that there is nothing that can impact the flavor of the final brew. 

Step 4 – Decide on the water ratio

It is important to choose the right water ratio for your brew. You need about 6 grams of coffee for your brew. It is important to measure your coffee properly as scale makes it easy to repeat your favorite brews. If you want a strong brew, add about 15 parts of water. If you prefer something not so strong, add water and adjust the ratio according to your needs. By the way, a latte is a good choice for people who don’t like strong coffee.

Step 5 – Choose brewing method

Decide on the brewing method. It depends on what brewing devices you have and prefer. You can use a french press, Aeropress, espresso machine, the world’s best stainless steel coffee maker, and others. By the way, it is a great premium coffee for cold brew.

What Are Coffee Blends

As you may suggest from the name, coffee blends are a blend or a mixture of different types of coffee beans. For example, it can be coffee beans that are grown in different countries like Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, and others. Also, it can be beans that are grown in the same country but in different areas and plantations. 

In other words, if you purchase coffee beans that originate from different locations, it means that you purchase a blend. 

The main thing about coffee blends is that it is not just a mixture of random coffee beans. They are well balanced because different types of beans are chosen depending on the flavor profile that needs to be created. It allows manufacturers to create a perfectly balanced drink with excellent aroma and flavor.

As a result, coffee blends tend to be more popular as they can easily satisfy the needs and preferences of most customers. They tend to be more consistent and have a more universal and delicate flavor. 

Benefits of Drinking Coffee Blends

Balance and Consistency

As we mentioned before, blends tend to have a well-balanced flavor as manufacturers have an opportunity to control it by changing the proportions of different beans. It also means that it is more consistent and the flavor doesn’t change from one package to another. 

Easy to Brew

When it comes to blends they are easier to brew at home than single-origin coffee. The main point is that single-origin coffee tends to have a very unique flavor and you need to be very attentive and precise when brewing it in order not to spoil your brew. At the same time, a well-balanced and properly roasted coffee blend can easily provide you with a smooth texture and excellent flavor. 

Suitable for Anyone

As blends are known for its well-balanced, smooth flavor and texture, they are more popular and can meet everyone’s preferences. That is one of the main reasons why blends are so popular and can be found anywhere. 

How Do Coffee Blends Work

As we mentioned before, coffee blends are mixtures or combinations of different beans. By combining different types of beans from different regions, manufacturers have an opportunity to create coffees with great flavor and amazing aroma that are perfectly balanced.

The main reason why manufacturers produce coffee blends is that it allows providing customers with a consistent flavor and texture. Moreover, blends make it easier to distribute and sell coffee beans.

By creating blends, manufacturers can make some harsh types of coffee more appealing. For example, if a manufacturer has some type of coffee with high acidity, they can add other types of beans that have more mallow flavor to make the final product more balanced and reduce its acidity.

In simple words, blends are perfect for manufacturers as well as for customers as they guarantee consistency and well-balanced flavor. Moreover, blends are great for different brewing methods. Moreover, there are numerous variations of coffee blends and you can easily find your perfect one. 

Pros and Cons of Coffee Blends

Pros

• Blends have well-balanced flavor and aroma profile.
• Blends are more affordable and easier to find and purchase.
• Coffee blends are great for different brewing methods.

Cons

• Some manufacturers can use low-quality or unfresh beans for blends.
• It is harder to identify the origin of the beans added to blends.

How to Choose the Best Coffee Blend

Roast Date

When you purchase a coffee blend, you need to make sure that it was roasted around 1-3 weeks ago. If the roasting date is more than 3 weeks, the flavor of your coffee is going to be stale.

Flavor Profile

Most coffee blends have a delicate and very smooth flavor with complex acidic notes as well as light sweet notes. but there are lots of variations and options that can satisfy any preferences. 

Whole Bean

As you may already know, ground coffee may lose its aroma and flavor pretty fast. That is why it is better to choose whole-bean options. Just make sure to grind it right before the brewing process. 

Roaster’s Values

Some time ago blends were not really popular because some roasters used bad low-quality beans to make blends. That is why it is really important to pay attention to manufacturer reputation.

Time of Blending (Before or After Roasting)

Time of blending is also very important. Some experts say that the longer beans are blended the better. Beans can be blend before or after the roasting process and it influences the flavor of a blend significantly because the roasting process changes beans’ aroma and flavor. 

How to Brew Coffee Blends

Step 1 – Use fresh beans

Make sure that you use fresh beans that were roasted no longer than 3 weeks before it. If you use old beans, the flavor of your coffee will be stale.

Step 2 – Grind coffee before brewing

If you want to make sure that your coffee flavor is absolutely perfect, grind the beans right before the brewing process. It will let you preserve the flavor and aroma of your coffee and enjoy the rich brew. 

Step 3 – Choose grind size properly

The size of the grind depends on the type of brewing method. For example, for the French press, it is better to use coarse grind while other brewing methods may require fine or very fine grind. 

Step 4 – Use clean water

In order to make sure your coffee flavor is absolutely great, it is very important to give preference to absolutely clear, filtered water. 

Step 5 – Decide on the brewing method

As you know there are lots of brewing methods and every particular one influences the flavor significantly. Also, you may change the brewing method depending on your coffee type and preferences. If you like enjoying your perfectly brewed cappuccino, you need to use an espresso machine with a coarse grind. If you want to try something new, a siphon coffee maker can brew a rich and delicious cup.

Single Origins vs Blends Comparison

Availability

When it comes to coffee blends, they are easy to find and purchase in any supermarket all year round. However, single-origin coffee is somehow a seasonal thing and it can be harder to find. The same single-origin coffee can be absolutely great during one season and really not so good during the other one. 

Cost

Speaking of the cost differences, single-origin coffee tends to be more expensive as the quality of this coffee is pretty high and it is harder to produce. At the same time, blends are more affordable.

Traceability

Most people who drink single-origin coffee prefer it because it is easy to trace it back to the source. Of course, it is not so hard to trace blends as well if they are produced properly but the point is that the sources of blends may change depending on many factors. The reason is that the main aim of manufacturers is to preserve the flavor and aroma of the particular blend. 

Purity

When it comes to the purity of coffee flavor, it is absolutely clear that single-origin coffees are the purest ones. The reason is that there is only one particular type of coffee beans used for such coffees while blends use a mixture of different beans.

Flavor

When it comes to flavor, single-origin coffees tend to have different flavors and aroma depending on when and how they were processed. At the same time, the flavor of a particular blend remains the same all the time. Also, blends have a more delicate and well-balanced flavor while single-origin coffees are known for their exotic flavors.

FAQ About Single Origin vs Blend

Why is single origin coffee expensive?

The point is that single-origin coffees are known as premium and crafty options. It is harder to grow them as manufacturers should be able to provide excellent quality of the beans. In simple words, single-origin coffees are harder to produce. 

Are blends or single origin coffee better?

There is no certain answer to this question and it significantly depends on your preferences. Blends are more balanced while single origins tend to have more unique and exotic flavors. 

Which coffee origin is best?

It also depends on your preferences.  Depending on its origin coffee have different flavor notes like chocolate, caramel, fruity, or spicy. 

Can I mix coffee blends?

Of course, if you want you can do it but you need to keep in mind that coffee blends are well-balanced and by mixing them you can easily spoil your brew. 

Is Starbucks coffee single origin?

Starbucks mainly produces blends but there is a pretty wide range of single-origin coffees offered by the brand. 

Conclusion

Single-origin coffees and blends are both really great you just need to decide which one is better for you. If you prefer a more delicate, smooth, and well-balanced flavor, blends are exactly what you need. If you are looking for something unique, unusual, and exotic, single origins are your perfect option.

Just try both options and decide which one is the best for you. Brew your coffee, pour your brew into a coffee mug with a double-wall insulation and enjoy it. 

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