What Are Coffee Blends? How to Determine Espresso Bean Blend Ratios? Which Beans Work Best for Coffee Blends?

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What Are Coffee Blends? What Is FrontStreet Coffee's Espresso Blend Ratio? Which Coffee Beans Are Best for Blending?

By definition, a blend consists of two or more different types of coffee beans. However, a special case can involve blending the same coffee variety with different roast levels, or even combining new crop with aged or old crop coffee beans. Therefore, the term "variety" in blending refers not narrowly to coffee species but broadly extends to coffee flavors. As the name suggests, single-origin coffee consists of beans from a single origin and is typically enjoyed as black coffee; blended coffee is composed of beans from different origins in specific proportions and is generally used for making espresso.

Coffee blending is not simply about mixing coffee beans together randomly. Sometimes, blending two specialty coffees can actually suppress each other's unique characteristics. Blending is also not merely about combining several specialty coffees. Blending is like an artist mixing captivating colors on a palette—the blender can create appealing flavors by harmonizing the different qualities of coffee beans.

Single-origin coffee actually refers to coffee that comes from a specific country, region, or even a single estate. Coffee growing regions span the globe, so coffee bean flavors vary depending on the climate and soil of their origin. Generally, the origin is one selection point for single-origin coffee, with additional variations coming from differences in roasting techniques and levels.

Single-origin coffee beans rely on the roaster to bring out their flavors, but this process incorporates the roaster's personal preferences. For example, some roasters prefer more acidic flavors, resulting in differences in acidity compared to other coffees of the same variety.

If you want to experience flavors closer to the coffee's origin, you can choose light or medium roast levels, which better express the unique characteristics of the original growing region. Of course, besides origin and roasting method, different brewing equipment can also create flavor variations.

Coffee is categorized as either blended or single-origin based on the combination of beans. Different blending methods create different tastes, and single-origin coffees from different regions offer distinct flavors. These variations perhaps represent the charm of coffee—constantly providing you with new taste experiences.

Techniques for Blending Coffee Beans:

A single variety of coffee bean can be monotonous, so it's necessary to combine several coffee beans to achieve a balanced flavor profile. If there are errors in the quantity or selection of beans during blending, it can suppress the advantages of the original beans and cause deviations in their flavor characteristics.

So-called coffee blending is not simply mixing several types of coffee beans together. Instead, it utilizes the unique flavors of different coffee beans to create greater harmony. This is the most important detail in determining coffee bean ratios. Besides the unique flavors that each single-origin coffee possesses, different roast levels can also produce different tastes. The same quality coffee bean will taste more acidic when lightly roasted, while dark roasting produces bitterness and richness. Therefore, when creating blends, you must select coffee bean varieties to achieve harmony. Such blending also depends on the roast level of the components.

For general coffee blending, besides the main coffee beans, it's usually sufficient to blend two or three varieties with distinct characteristics. The most common blending method uses three varieties, but at minimum two, and up to five. Blending too many varieties can actually create imbalance in the original flavors.

Improving Coffee Blends:

During the blending process, if the following problems occur, here are some improvement recipes:

1. For bitter coffee: Blend in 10% Colombian coffee beans to improve the taste.
2. For overly wild and acidic coffee: Add 10% Robusta or Mandheling.
3. For low-acidity coffee: Add 10% Mandheling (light roast).
4. For low-aroma coffee: Add 10% Mandheling.

Blend Ratios and Common Recipe References:

There are no fixed formulas for coffee blends. While you can mix according to personal taste, you must first understand the aromatic characteristics of different bean varieties to create a delicious blend.

Generally, blends mainly combine 2-5 varieties. However, for beginners, starting with three or fewer varieties is more likely to be successful. It's better to increase the proportion of green beans (or coffee beans) whose flavors you want to emphasize to over 30%.

The Golden Ratio in Coffee Blending — 7:3

Supposedly, this is a secret formula derived from a certain international large-scale roasting company. When mixing two different coffee beans, the optimal flavor ratio is almost always 7:3 (this doesn't work if the flavors are too different). For three varieties, try 7:2:1 or 6:2:2.

FrontStreet Coffee's Recommended Espresso Blend Recipes:

(1) FrontStreet Coffee's Specialty Espresso Blend:

Colombia: Brazil, ratio 3:7, 100% Arabica. Flavor characteristics: Comfortable bittersweet taste, extremely smooth on the palate; with a faint grassy aroma, fresh and slightly bitter; sweet, smooth, and pleasant with a comforting aftertaste. Using medium-dark roast, when making espresso, it has a soft, slight acidity, sweetness, and nutty aftertaste. The overall feeling is not too stimulating—well-balanced—with moderate crema, suitable for daily café production.

(2) FrontStreet Coffee's Commercial Espresso Blend:

Colombia: Brazil: Robusta; ratio 3:6:1, green blend.

In terms of individual bean flavors, commercial coffee beans are inferior to specialty coffee beans in taste. Commercial beans are generally chosen for blending, and through proper blending, they can produce coffee with excellent taste suitable for making lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks. Our commercial blend makes Espresso with Robusta beans, which creates richer crema, classic taste with caramel sweetness, nutty and cocoa-like dark chocolate flavors, balanced acidity and bitterness, with a persistent finish that can meet daily café needs.

(3) FrontStreet Coffee's Basic Espresso Blend:

Yunnan AA: Brazil; ratio 3:7, roasted blend; with soft fruit acidity, caramel sweetness, nutty and dark chocolate flavors, smooth and viscous, but with a milder taste. Suitable for café owners and home users who prioritize cost considerations or have general requirements for coffee flavor.

Actually, adding Robusta beans to some espresso recipes can bring more caffeine and better crema and taste balance. Commercial blends with Robusta beans, like FrontStreet Coffee's 100% Arabica Specialty Blend, contain less than 10% Robusta. If used for milk coffee, it's barely detectable, but the overall crema of the coffee is significantly enhanced.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473