The Surprising Differences Between Blended and Single-Origin Coffee Beans: Principles of Coffee Blending

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FrontStreet Coffee · The Differences Between Blend Coffee Beans and Single-Origin Coffee Beans

In the coffee industry, everyone has heard of blend coffee beans and single-origin coffee. Why does coffee have the distinction between blends and single-origin? What exactly are blend coffee beans, and what is single-origin coffee? Coffee class is now in session - there's a wealth of practical knowledge ahead, so get ready.

What is Single-Origin Coffee?

As the name suggests, single-origin coffee consists of coffee beans from a single origin and is typically enjoyed as black coffee.

What are Blend Coffee Beans?

Blend coffee beans are created by combining coffees from different origins in specific proportions and are generally used for making espresso-based drinks.

Since it's a blend, it naturally refers to the combination of two or more types of original beans. However, there's a special case where the same coffee beans with different roast levels can be blended together. One can even blend new crop with aged coffee or old crop of the same coffee beans. Therefore, the "varieties" referred to in blending are no longer narrowly defined coffee varieties, but rather extend broadly to coffee flavors.

Blend coffee beans are not created by simply mixing coffee beans together randomly. Sometimes, blending two specialty coffees can actually suppress each other's unique flavors. Blend coffee beans are also not simply a matter of blending several specialty coffees together. Blending is like an artist mixing captivating colors on a palette - the blend master can create appealing tastes by harmonizing the different characteristics of coffee beans.

Single-origin coffee actually refers to coffee that comes from a specific country's growing region or even a single estate. Coffee growing regions span across the globe, so coffee bean flavors are influenced by the climate and growing soil of their origin. Generally, the coffee's origin is a selection point for single-origin coffee, and additionally, there are differences in roasting techniques and degrees.

The coffee beans of single-origin coffee need to rely on the roaster to bring out their flavors, but this flavor development incorporates the roaster's personal preferences. For example, some roasters prefer more acidic flavors, so the acidity expression will differ from other coffees of the same type.

If you want to experience flavors closer to the coffee bean's origin, you can choose light or medium roast levels, which will better express the unique characteristics inherent to the original growing region. Of course, beyond origin, roasting method, and the roaster's preferences, the brewing equipment will also result in flavor differences.

The reason coffee is divided into blends and single-origin is determined by the combination of coffee beans. Different blending methods bring different tastes, while single-origin coffees from different regions bring distinct flavors. These variations are perhaps the charm of coffee - always bringing you fresh taste experiences.

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