How to Choose Pour-Over Single-Origin Coffee Beans vs. Espresso Beans? What Are the Flavor Characteristics of SOE Coffee Beans?

Recently, some friends wanted to explore brewing coffee themselves. After browsing online, they came to ask FrontStreet Coffee why some coffee beans cost around 30 yuan while others are over 300 yuan. The weights also vary, with some at 100g and others at 1kg, plus there are many confusing technical terms that leave them feeling overwhelmed. So they came to ask FrontStreet Coffee how to distinguish between different coffee beans.

Types of Coffee Beans

Generally speaking, there are two main types of coffee beans sold on the market: espresso beans and single-origin beans. Let's start with single-origin beans, which we often refer to as "specialty coffee beans." Their main characteristic is that they showcase the unique flavor profiles of specific growing regions. This allows us to categorize coffee beans from many different origins, and typically this type of coffee bean will have detailed origin information labeled. Packaging usually doesn't exceed 250g, and they can be used with various filter brewing methods, with pour-over coffee being the most common.

For this type of coffee bean, FrontStreet Coffee offers over 50 varieties in our bean selection. If you plan to use brewing methods like pour-over, American drip machines, French press, AeroPress, siphon, cold brew, or other filter-style methods, you can choose single-origin beans. When starting out, you can begin by looking at the flavor descriptions on the labels and pick whichever appeals to you.

The other type of coffee bean is espresso beans, which are specifically designed for espresso machines. Their biggest characteristic is that they are roasted darker than coffee beans intended for pour-over use, which is why regular single-origin beans are generally not suitable for espresso machines.

SOE and Blended Espresso Beans

Of course, the term "espresso beans" doesn't conflict with single-origin beans. Espresso beans are mainly divided into blended beans and SOE (Single Origin Espresso). Let's start with SOE, which is essentially the espresso version of single-origin coffee beans. As mentioned earlier, regular single-origin beans aren't suitable for espresso machines, which is why SOE coffee beans were developed (the green beans are the same, just roasted darker than regular single-origin beans). SOE also emphasizes origin and characteristic regional flavors. However, the SOE coffee bean market is still relatively small, so when purchasing, look for SOE labeling or espresso-specific indications to avoid accidentally buying single-origin beans meant for pour-over.

Next are espresso blends, which are the most commonly used coffee beans in espresso coffee. Why blend? There are three reasons: price, stability, and flavor. These three factors form an "impossible triangle," meaning you can't have all three simultaneously - you must sacrifice one to achieve the other two. For friends planning to open a coffee shop or dive into the world of espresso, here's how to choose the right beans for your needs.

FrontStreet Coffee's Espresso Bean Selection

Let's take FrontStreet Coffee's four espresso beans as examples. Blended coffee beans were initially created to stabilize and balance coffee flavors. For instance, FrontStreet Coffee's specialty blend combines coffee beans from Colombia and Brazil. Both Brazil and Colombia are major coffee-producing countries with very stable annual quality. The balance of Brazilian coffee beans combined with the richness of Colombian coffee beans gives this blend excellent performance. It prioritizes both stability and flavor, with a rich mouthfeel and nutty undertones with subtle fruity notes, making it suitable for specialty coffee shops.

FrontStreet Coffee's basic blend was developed with cost-effectiveness as the primary focus, using coffee beans from Yunnan and Brazil. It ensures the flavor and stability of extracted espresso while maintaining price advantages. This espresso bean is suitable for personal daily consumption or small-budget coffee shops.

FrontStreet Coffee's commercial blend uses coffee beans from Colombia, Brazil, and Vietnam, with Vietnamese Robusta making up 10% of the blend. Italian cafes like to add Robusta beans to their blend recipes because Robusta provides richer coffee oils and higher caffeine content. Therefore, adding a small amount of Robusta beans makes the espresso mouthfeel richer. The espresso produced pairs beautifully with milk, creating more intense caramel and chocolate flavors. This espresso bean is suitable for richness enthusiasts or businesses specializing in espresso-based drinks.

The last blend was developed with flavor as the primary focus and is also the coffee bean used in FrontStreet Coffee stores - the Sunflower Warmth Blend. It's made from a combination of Yirgacheffe Red Cherry and Honduras Sherry Cask coffee beans. It features sherry wine aroma with chocolate, vanilla cream, and sherry flavors, performing excellently whether as straight espresso or in Americanos and milk-based coffees. It's suitable for friends who pursue distinctive coffee flavors.

Choosing the Right Espresso Beans

Simply put, when selecting espresso beans, focus on your positioning and needs - whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness, overall balance, or distinctive flavors.

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473