So, we took it upon ourselves to explain what is single-origin coffee, where does it come from, what are some of the most popular sourcing locations, and why one might think that single-origin coffee is better than blended coffee. So, if you want to know too, grab a cup of your favorite coffee and let’s go on a discovery journey.
Key Takeaways
- Single-origin coffee refers to coffee sourced from the same location, whether it’s the same country or the same coffee farm.
- The terroir where coffee beans are grown, as well as the region’s practices and processing methods, play a significant role in how the coffee sourced from there will taste.
- The most common countries for single-origin coffee include Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Coffees from those regions have unique characteristics that make them widely recognizable in the coffee world.
- Because of the unique characteristics specific to one region, single-origin coffee is often considered to be the “better” type compared to blended coffee.
- Specialty coffee and single-origin coffee are not the same, although some single-origin coffees can be considered specialty ones as well. Single-origin refers to location, while specialty refers to quality.
What Is Single-Origin Coffee?
So, what does single-origin coffee mean? To put it simply, single-origin coffee is sourced from the same location. This could mean from one country, one region, or even just the same plantation - there isn’t any specification for that. For example, a pack of Ethiopian coffee and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee are both single-origin coffee, despite one coming from a whole country and the other from a specific region within that country.
Blended coffee, on the other hand, mixes it up, even combining coffees from different continents.
The place where the beans were grown and their terroir play a major part in the taste of single-origin coffees. For example, beans grown in regions with volcanic soil would probably offer a richer, fuller, earthy flavor compared to coffee beans grown in regions with high altitudes, which tend to be more floral and acidic.
In addition to the environment, the specific locations also have their own practices, processing methods, etc., that influence the final taste of your coffee beverage.
Most Common Single-Origin Coffees
More often than not, when you encounter a single-origin coffee, it will be sourced from the same country. The other options we mentioned are also very much possible, but the country-specific ones are more common. So, let’s go through what different countries have to offer in terms of single-origin coffee.
Why Is Single-Origin Coffee Better?
Coffee sourced from the same location will typically have unique characteristics specific to that region - as you saw from our breakdown of the most common single-origin coffee locations. Some coffees are more berry-flavored, others more chocolatey, while others have some unusual coffee notes, such as tomato.
Another reason single-origin coffees are beloved by many is that they can be more easily traced to a particular location compared to blended coffees, which might sometimes combine coffee from different continents. It’s that traceability that speaks to them, as those people often like to research the methods in which their coffee was produced.
However, if you enjoy your coffee with milk and sugar, you might be better off with blended coffee. Single-origin coffees are best consumed black, as that’s when you can taste all of the flavors the most - with an addition of sugar or milk, the flavors that make those coffees unique might get lost.
Are Single-Origin and Specialty Coffee the Same?
While those terms are not interchangeable, many specialty coffees are actually single-origin coffees. However, at the same time, not all single-origin coffees can be considered specialty coffees. The term specialty coffee is given to coffees that meet certain quality criteria - they are considered to be “the best” coffees in the world, which is why it’s not a term given out lightly.
So, put it simply, single-origin coffee comes down to the coffee beans being sourced from the same location, while specialty coffees are more focused on the overall quality.
The Bottom Line
Single-origin coffees can add some excitement to your coffee routine. So, if you don’t mind drinking black coffee to fully appreciate the flavor combinations, you should definitely consider reaching for them sometimes.
At Angelino’s, we pride ourselves on carrying a large selection of coffee pods, so of course, we couldn’t forget about single-origin coffees. Browse through our selection, and you will find a collection of limited single-origin coffee pods. And since they are capsules, exploring the world of single-origin coffee has never been easier. So, what are you waiting for? Order yours now!
