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

There's always a certain tension when it comes to choosing coffee. The big question: do you choose blends or single-origin? For those unfamiliar with the concept, this might sound like a foreign language festival, but for coffee aficionados, it's a crucial dilemma.

In this blog post, we delve into the world of coffee to discover the difference between blends and single-origin coffee . We'll examine the characteristics, 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 desire for a specific coffee experience.

What is single origin coffee?

Single-origin coffee is a special type of coffee where the beans come from a 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 region's unique terroir. This means 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 savory journey through the landscape where the coffee beans were grown.

For coffee experts, single-origin coffee is often the ultimate choice. They seek complexity and individuality in their coffee, and single-origin coffee offers just that. Each region has its own unique characteristics and climate, resulting in distinct 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 tantalizes your taste buds and takes you on a journey through different flavor worlds, single-origin coffee is definitely worth a try. It's the perfect choice for those seeking something unique and special in their daily cup of coffee.

What is a coffee blend?

Blends, as the name suggests, consist of a carefully curated mix of beans from 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 delights the senses.

Blends not only offer 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 flavor time after time. This makes blends ideal for those who appreciate a harmonious interplay of aromas and want a consistent taste experience.

In short, blends are the perfect choice for connoisseurs seeking a versatile coffee experience with a rich and balanced flavor profile. Try a blend and be surprised by the complexity and harmony of flavors each cup 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, for some, is to achieve a more affordable final product. This can be achieved, for example, by blending many different low-quality coffee beans to achieve a consistent flavor and minimize the presence of off-flavors. You can also potentially achieve a more affordable coffee by combining a basic Arabica bean with a less expensive Robusta bean.

Due to the natural variation in coffee varieties and flavor profiles, coffee roasters can sometimes find it challenging to provide consistent products to their customers. Blends can be a solution for businesses, such as hospitality clients, who want exceptionally consistent coffee flavors. Furthermore, by blending beans with different flavor profiles, coffee roasters can adapt to fluctuating demand and production capacity.

Furthermore, blending allows coffee makers 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 created with balance and unique flavors.

Coffee roasters can also unleash their creativity by experimenting with different combinations of beans until they find the perfect blend that meets their requirements. By selecting the right beans and blending them in varying proportions, a flavor experience can be created that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Why do we make Blends at Zwarte Roes?

While we primarily focus on single-origin coffees and highlighting and sharing the beautiful stories behind them, 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 coffee types with milk, for example.

This is our bestseller, Blend No. 1 , made with our Brazil Capricornio, which delivers a beautiful chocolate flavor. The Colombia Giraldo component adds an extra touch of freshness to make the coffee truly sparkling.

Why do coffee roasters offer single origin coffee?

While blends are a combination of different beans, coffee roasters can also offer single-origin beans. Single-origin means the coffee beans come from a specific source, such as Brazil, Ethiopia, or Colombia. Or from a specific region of that country, even a specific farm or a small portion of that farm.

Offering single-origin beans offers many advantages for coffee roasters. Firstly, the flavor of each origin is unique, allowing for the creation of multiple flavor profiles that are distinct from one another.

In addition, single-origin coffee is often of higher quality, meaning the flavor and aroma are much more intense. Offering single-origin coffee also allows for closer collaboration with the farmers who supply the beans. This can foster a valuable relationship between coffee maker and farmer, leading to higher-quality coffee beans. This type of collaboration is also known as 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's right for you: Single Origin or Blend?

Choosing between single-origin and blended coffee is a personal preference. Blends are perfect if you want a consistent flavor experience, while single-origin beans offer more distinct nuances that vary in aromas and flavors.

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

There's no right or wrong, only personal preference. Therefore, it's important to take the time to experiment with different coffees. Keep in mind, however, that this doesn't tell the whole story. Roast level, differences in single-origin coffees, and differences in blends also have a significant impact on the flavor. For example, some blends like ours (Blend No. 1) contain only two types of coffee beans, but an average supermarket pack often contains eight different origins.

Conclusion

Choosing between single-origin and blended coffee depends on your personal taste, what you want to achieve with the coffee you make, and which origins you have in mind. Take your time experimenting with different flavors and types to find what you like best. Remember that the details are just as important as your choice of single-origin or blend, so pay attention to those as well. Coffee selection is a personal journey, so enjoy it! With a bit of trial and error, you'll soon discover your favorite flavor.

• Tip: Try the coffees in our webshop ! Here you'll find a variety of single origins and blends, each with its own unique flavor. You might just find your perfect cup of coffee here. 🤗