Coffee blends vs Single Origin coffee - What's the difference?

There is always a certain tension when it comes to choosing coffee. The big question: do you choose blends or single origin? To the unfamiliar this may sound like a foreign language festival, but for the coffee aficionados this is a very important dilemma.

In this blog we delve into the world of coffee to discover the difference between blends and single origin coffee . We'll take a look at the features, flavors and benefits of each type.

Choosing between blends and single origin coffee is a personal preference. It depends on your taste preferences and your search for a specific coffee experience.

What is single origin coffee?

Single origin coffee is a special type of coffee in which the beans come from one specific region, farm or even a small part of a farm (microlot). What makes this coffee so special is that its flavor is deeply rooted in the unique terroir of the region. This means that the coffee can offer a wide range of flavors and nuances, from fruity and floral to nutty and spicy. Every sip takes you on a tasteful journey through the landscape where the coffee beans grew.

For coffee experts, single origin coffee is often the ultimate choice. They are looking for complexity and individuality in their cup of coffee, and single origin coffee offers just that. Each region has its own unique characteristics and climate, resulting in different flavor profiles. By enjoying single origin coffee, coffee lovers can discover and appreciate the subtle nuances and characteristics of each region.

So if you're looking for a coffee experience that will tantalize your taste buds and take you on a journey through different flavor worlds, single origin coffee is definitely worth a try. It is the perfect choice for those who are looking for something unique and special in their daily cup of coffee.

What is a coffee blend?

Blends, as the name suggests, consist of a carefully composed mix of beans of different origins and varieties. Each bean contributes its own unique character and flavor profile to the blend. This careful fusion of flavors creates an exceptionally unique and balanced profile that stimulates the senses.

Blends not only provide a unique taste experience, but they also ensure consistent and reliable quality. Through the careful selection and combination of beans, blends can deliver the same delicious taste time and time again. This makes blends ideally suited for those who love a harmonious interplay of aromas and want to experience a consistent taste experience.

In short, blends are the perfect choice for connoisseurs looking for a versatile coffee experience with a rich and balanced flavor profile. Try a blend and be surprised by the complexity and harmony of flavors that each cup of coffee offers.

"We only create blends with the aim of achieving a more complete taste experience with the coffee"

Marvin Anthony | Co-founder and Head Roaster Zwarte Roes

Why do coffee roasters make blends?

There are several reasons why coffee roasters create blends. One reason may be for some coffee roasters is to get a cheaper end result. You can achieve this, for example, by making many different low(er) quality coffee beans in order to get a consistent taste and you can taste the different defective flavors less. You can also potentially get a cheaper coffee by combining a basic Arabica bean with a cheaper Robusta coffee bean.

Due to the natural variation in coffee types and flavor profiles, it is sometimes a challenge for coffee roasters to provide customers with consistent products. Blends can be a solution here, for example for business catering customers who want the coffee taste to be super consistent. In addition, by blending beans with different flavor profiles, coffee roasters can adapt to fluctuating demand and production capacity.

Furthermore, creating a blend offers coffee makers the opportunity to tailor the flavor profile of their products to different styles and preferences. By combining beans with contrasting aromas, body and acidity, blends can be made balanced and unique.

Coffee roasters can also express their creativity by experimenting with different combinations of beans until the perfect blend is found that meets their needs. By selecting the right beans and combining them in different proportions, a taste experience can be created that is more than the sum of its parts.

Why do we make Blends at Zwarte Roes?

Although we are mainly focused on single origin coffees and highlighting and telling you the beautiful stories behind the coffees, we have also created a number of blends.

For espresso preparations, for example, it is important to have a good consistent taste and to create a strong undertone for coffees with milk, for example.

Our bestseller, Blend No.1 , made with our Brazil Capricornio which provides a beautiful chocolate flavor. The Colombia Giraldo component provides an extra fresh touch to make the coffee really sparkling.

Why do coffee roasters offer single origin coffee?

Although blends are a combination of different beans, coffee roasters can also offer single origin beans. Single origin means that the coffee beans come from one specific source, such as Brazil, Ethiopia or Colombia. Or from a specific area of ​​that country, even a specific farm or a small part of that farm.

Offering single origin beans has many advantages for coffee roasters. Firstly, the taste of each origin is different, which means that multiple flavor profiles can be offered that are different from each other.

In addition, single origin coffee is often of higher quality, which means that the taste and aroma are much more intense. Offering single origin coffee also offers the opportunity for closer cooperation with farmers who supply the beans. This can be a valuable relationship between coffee maker and farmer, leading to better quality coffee beans. This way of working together is also called direct trade coffee.

In short, single origin beans offer a unique taste experience to consumers while also giving coffee roasters the opportunity to experiment with different flavors.

What suits you: Single Origin or Blend?

Choosing between single origin and blend coffee is a personal preference. Blends are perfect if you want a consistent taste experience, while single origin beans offer more individual nuances that differ in aromas and flavors.

It also depends on the coffee you want to make. For example, if you want to make espresso, you sometimes combine a blend of different beans to create the right taste and profile. But if you want to make a filter coffee, single origin is more suitable because it accentuates the taste of one specific origin.

There is no right or wrong, just personal preference. It is therefore important that you take the time to experiment with different coffees. Please note that it does not say everything. Roast level, mutual differences in single origin coffees and mutual differences in blends also certainly have a major impact on the taste. There are blends like ours (Blend No.1) that only contain 2 types of coffee beans, but an average pack from the supermarket often contains 8 types of origins in the blend.

Conclusion

Choosing between single origin and blend coffee depends on your personal taste, what you want to achieve with the coffee you make, and also which origins you have in mind. Take it easy to experiment with different flavors and types to find out what you like best. Remember that the details here are actually just as important as your choice of single origin or blend, so pay attention to that too. Coffee choice is a personal journey, so enjoy! With some trial and error you will find out which one will be your favorite flavor.

• Tip: also try the coffees from our webshop ! Here you will find a variety of single origins and blends, each with a unique taste. Maybe you will find your perfect cup of coffee here. 🤗