Single Origin or Blend? What is the difference ?
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Time to read 3 min
In your search for the perfect coffee, you have probably already come across the terms Single Origin or Blend. The latest trend is now present in all roasters and even Starbucks has not been deprived of it: single-varietal coffees. But what does this actually mean? We explain to you what this craze is all about.
Nowadays, coffee is no longer just a way to wake up - a real frenzy has taken over the perfect coffee. Manufacturers fought over who had the smoothest roast, who produced in the most environmentally friendly way, and who had discovered the best growing region for their beans. The latest “Single Origin” trend concerns coffees from a single production region. They promise more traceability and exclusivity than their competitors, Blend mixtures.
Single Origin
An origin
- thethe best grains from the same region
- nexceptional nuances of taste
- dannual variations in taste
Blend
Mixing
- Grains of arabica and robusta
- dmake a harmonious combination
- gguarantee a consistent taste
SINGLE ORIGIN – THE ONLY GOOD COFFEE?
The English name "single origin" refers to the origin of the coffee. A coffee can only be so named if the beans come from a single growing region and have not been blended. This trend has become increasingly popular among coffee lovers, because in the age of mass industry we want more individuality and exclusivity. The same goes for our coffee.
The Single Origin can also convince with its high quality standards. As the grains are not mixed, they must be of high quality to leave a good taste image. They come from cool highland regions, where the coffee can develop its aroma more slowly and therefore more intensely.
The selection continues during the harvest: Only the ripest coffee cherries are picked by hand from the bushes (also called "picking"). Unlike "stripping" (in this case, the entire bush is removed), it is possible to guarantee that no unripe cherries end up in the coffee and alter the taste.
Another difference from blends lies in the roasting process: In order to retain all the typical taste facets of the origin, a particularly light roast is chosen. Single Origins thus uniquely reflect the country from which they come. Even the nuances of surrounding cultures are found in the coffee bean and give it aromas that know no bounds, ranging from fruity floral to nutty chocolate.
SO WHY ARE THERE STILL MIXES?
Single Origin coffees have a major drawback. Due to annual variations in sunshine and rain, the aroma is slightly different each year. As with wine, so do coffee beans.
In mixtures, these variations can be compensated for by suitable mixing proportions. If the harvest in one region is not satisfactory, a better region is simply chosen for the year.
But the decisive reason why we love blends is another: thanks to a skillfully adapted mixture, they combine the advantages of different varieties and mask taste weaknesses. The result is a particularly harmonious and complex coffee.
DOES BLEND ALSO MEAN LOWER QUALITY?
Large coffee producers like to take advantage of the blend advantage to mix lower quality coffee beans and thus reduce costs. This has harmed the image of the blend, but this should not be generalized. If we ignore a few bad apples, the blend has nothing to envy of the single origin in terms of quality. There are many top-notch blends, created by professional sommeliers and master roasters. And it's not for cost reasons.
Our bestseller is also a blend.
CONCLUSION: SINGLE ORIGIN OR BLEND?
Both varieties, Single Origin or Blend, have their charm and can score points in different ways. Whether you prefer Single Origin or Blend therefore depends entirely on your personal taste and your desire to experiment.
If you like to try something new and are looking for unusual flavor nuances in your coffee, you should opt for a Single Origin in your next purchase. If you prefer to enjoy rounded and harmonious coffee compositions, opt for blends.
If you can't decide, try our MyCoffeeCup Grand Selection. It brings together our excellent compositions with the best unique origins.
