Coffee has evolved, it's much more than just a cup of joe. The average coffee drinker prefers seeking specific flavor profiles and stories behind their brews. We all want to get behind and support something. We coffee drinkers are no different. We support our Single-origin coffee bean farms!
The Meaning Of Single-Origin Coffee
Now what is single-origin coffee? It is coffee that is grown in a specific geographical location. Most of the time it’s grown from one location like a farm, but it can also come from a single country. Coffee beans are sourced from a specific geographical area (farm, region, country).
Single-origin beans are famous for different reasons some of which include their soil, climate, altitude, and unique processing methods employed by local farmers.
Single-source however, emphasizes traceability back to a single farm or cooperative. Similar to a single origin, just more specific.
Why People Buy Single-Origin
The most common reason to buy single-origin coffee is the unique flavor of a specific region that comes from the soil, climate, and altitude. Coffee grown in different regions tastes differently than coffee grown in other regions.
Many Single-origin coffees will have flavor notes, which are essentially different tastes and aromas you can taste. Taste notes are not added to coffee beans, they are just used to describe the flavor and aromas.
Common Flavor Notes
You can use the coffee flavor notes wheel for reference. Here we list a few of the more common and profound taste notes.
Fruity | berries, citrus, stone fruit, tropical fruit |
Floral | jasmine, rose, lavender |
Nutty | almond, hazelnut, walnut |
Chocolate | dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa |
Spices | cinnamon, nutmeg, clove |
Caramel | toffee, butterscotch, brown sugar |
Top 10 Single Origin Coffees
These are some of the best Single-origin coffee roasters you can buy from online.
Wildflower Coffee Company | Organic Single-Source Coffee
MORNING BLOOM
Enjoy nutty, and fruity notes, with creamy characteristics. Grown in young volcanic soil, rich in potassium, nitrogen, and boron that provides good moisture retention for ideal coffee plants. 3rd largest coffee producer in Colombia (12% of national production)
Flavor Profile ~ Dark chocolate, sweet nutty praline
Roast Level ~ Medium
Region ~ Planadas in Tolima, Colombia
Elevation ~ 3,000 - 4,000
VELVITÍRÉ
Brought to your home from local family-owned farms in Joyabaj Guatemala. This coffee has fruity sweet notes, thanks to the natural processing and unique terroir of Guatemala. This coffee brings you a sweet, smooth, and balanced coffee. The cherries are dried with the fruit intact, contributing to sweetness and fruitiness.
Flavor Profile ~ Blueberry, blackberry, roasted granola
Roast Level ~ Medium
Region ~ Joyabaj, Guatemala
Elevation ~ 1,300 - 1,500
Blue Bottle Coffee
Burundi Kayanza Heza Natural
Burundi coffee comes almost exclusively from a single cultivar: bourbon. This coffee holds strong bourbon attributes with aromas of various florals and herbs and blackberry notes made complex by the taste of raw honey.
Flavor Profile ~ Blackberry, Lemongrass, Golden Raisin
Roast Level ~ Light
Region ~ Kayanza
Elevation ~ 1,900
Colombia Bilbao Los Vascos
This is one of the coffees behind many of your favorite Blue Bottle Coffee blends. It is a Colombia terroir, Incredibly juicy and complex with an alluring sweetness.
Flavor Profile ~ Caramel, Grapefruit, Green Apple
Roast Level ~ Medium
Region ~ Bilbao, Tolima
Elevation ~ 1,200–1,800 Meters
Myanmar Shan State Mya Ze Di Village Natural
Myanmar produces coffees with distinct traits. Naturally processed with a thick syrupy body, with dried berries, and a profound sweetness.
Flavor Profile ~ Kiwi, Fig, Lemongrass
Roast Level ~ Light
Region ~ Shan State, Myanmar
Elevation ~ 1,350 Meters
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Tanzania Peaberry Dark Roast Single Origin Coffee
Filled with a floral jasmine aroma, a bright medium-bodied flavor with hints of black currant, and a chocolaty finish. Grown in Northern Tanzania, East of Lake Victoria, and just South of the border with Kenya.
Flavor Profile ~ Oranges, fruit salad, or honey raisin bran muffin.
Roast Level ~ Light
Region ~ Northern Tanzania, Africa
Bali Blue Moon Single Origin Dark Roast Coffee
Fragrant toffee aroma with flavors of walnuts and semi-sweet chocolate and a crisp black cherry finish. Bali Blue Moon is grown in North Bali at an altitude between 3,200 and 3,900 feet, under shade trees, with orange and tangerine trees planted.
Flavor Profile ~ Chocolate brownies and bagels.
Roast Level ~ Dark & Distinctive Roast
Region ~ Kintamani Highlands in North Bali, Indonesia
Brazil Cerrado Light Roast Single Origin Coffee Coffee
This Brazilian coffee contains a soft-bodied and earthy flavor and subtle walnut notes. Labeled “Specialty Grade,” Brazil Cerrado is dry processed for a cup of coffee that displays a terrific body, and a nutty, sweet taste that can only be found in the best Brazilian coffees.
Flavor Profile ~ Fresh bananas, dates, banana nut muffin, carrot cake.
Roast Level ~ Light Roast
Region ~ Cerrado Region, Brazil.
Colombia Narino Single Origin Medium Roast Coffee
Grown in all of the communities surrounding the active Galeras volcano, on slopes whose elevation often rises above 6,000 feet. Full creamy body with well-balanced flavor and full rich aroma.
Flavor Profile ~ Fresh bananas, peaches, or nectarines. Honey raisin bran muffin, oatmeal raisin cookie.
Roast Level ~ Medium Roast
Region ~ The State of Nariño, Southern Colombia.
Why Single-Origin Coffee Is So Expensive
It is not uncommon for single-origin coffee to cost over $30 per pound. So why does single-origin coffee cost so much? And what makes coffee drinkers pay the premium on their cup of coffee?
Single-origin coffee is expensive because it requires a lot of manual labor which is one of the biggest factors in creating high-quality coffee beans. The price that farmers receive for their coffee cherries is often low, even though the retail price for single-origin coffee can be very high. This is due to the amount of processing (cleaning, roasting, packaging) that is required to create top-tier coffee beans.
Five stages of coffee processing can affect the price. The red cherry, the wet parchment, the dry parchment, green coffee, and roasted coffee beans.
The washed process is the most common way to process coffee beans. It is processed from a Red Cherry when they are picked to remove the outer skin with a process called depulping. After removing the outer layer the coffee is washed through a series of channels to clean the seeds. Bad beans will float to the top surface and are separated. Workers separate the seeds from the fruit after removing the outer skin and fermenting the coffee. Coffee is placed in fermentation tanks for 12 - 14 hours to break down the mucilage
Next in the process is the roasting.
Roasters take the green coffee beans and heat them evenly to develop their flavor. Roasting coffee is a massive part of processing beans that takes years to master. Roast level significantly impact the final flavor making it one of the most important parts of the process. Single-origin coffee requires careful roasting to highlight the unique flavors of the region. Many coffee lovers even roast their beans to have their own level of control over the process.
In short, coffee in general takes a lot of work to process and refine to the quality that it is today. However, Sourcing beans from a single origin adds another level of complexity that can raise the price.
Quick Facts About Single Origin Roasts
Defined by Origin | Single-origin coffee comes from a single geographical location like a specific farm, region, or country. |
Unique Flavor Profiles | Each single-origin coffee has a unique flavor profile, influenced by the attributes of its origin. |
Traceability | Single-origin coffee offers a higher level of traceability, allowing you to trace the beans back to the specific farm or region. |
Seasonal Variations | The flavors of single-origin coffee can change throughout the year, depending on harvest seasons and processing methods. |
Variety of Choices | There are countless single-origin coffees to choose from, each with its own distinct characteristics. |
Direct Trade Relationships | Many single-origin coffees support direct trade relationships. Farmers receive fair prices and aim to support sustainable practices. |
Ethical Sourcing | Single-origin coffee often prioritizes ethical sourcing, promoting fair labor practices and environmental responsibility. |
Higher Quality | Single-origin coffee beans are often of higher quality, as they showcase the best that a specific region has to offer. |
Support for Farmers | Buying single-origin coffee directly supports the livelihoods of coffee farmers and their communities. |
Small Batch Roasting | Single-origin coffees are often roasted in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. |
Specialty Coffee | Single-origin coffee is often categorized as specialty coffee, meaning it meets high standards of quality and flavor. |
Exotic Varieties | Some single-origin coffees feature rare and exotic bean varieties, offering unique and exclusive flavors. |
Taste Profiles | Coffee lovers enjoy a wide variety of taste or flavor profiles to add to the coffee experience. |
Differences between Single-Origin and Blended Coffee
There are a few distinct differences from blended coffee. Single-origin has many other things to offer as well as some drawbacks.
Flavor Profile | Reflects the specific terroir of the origin. | More balanced and consistent, to create a specific flavor profile by combining different origins. |
Traceability | Beans are sourced from a single farm or location. | Beans are sourced from multiple locations. |
Availability | Seasonal and can vary depending on harvests and availability of specific beans. | More consistent availability throughout the year, as roasters can adjust to seasonal supply variations. |
Price | It can be more expensive because of the unique characteristics of the bean. | Can be more affordable as blending beans gives more flexibility for roasters. |
Experience | Offers a unique taste, opening a new world of different coffee regions. | Provides the average coffee drinker with an ideal everyday experience. |
Small Batches, Roasting, and Blends
Small-batch coffee has gained popularity for its focus on quality and freshness. Small-batch roasters carefully monitor each roast, ensuring that the beans are developed to their full potential. This often results in brighter, more vibrant flavors compared to large-scale commercial roasts.
Some roasters even offer single-origin coffee roasted to order. This means your beans are roasted just before shipping, guaranteeing peak freshness and flavor. It also allows for customization options, such as choosing a lighter or darker roast to match your preferences.
For those seeking a personalized experience, consider creating your own custom blend using single-origin or single-source beans. Try combining different origins and flavor profiles to craft a unique coffee that perfectly suits your taste.
Single Origin Brewing Specifics
You may also experience some brewing differences as compared to other blends. In hopes of fully appreciating the unique flavors and qualities, consider the following differences about single-source coffee. Let's discuss some considerations for brewing single-origin.
Brewing espresso you may experience higher acidity, as well as more complex flavors arising due to different flavor tones and the soil, climate, as well as altitude. Experimentation may be required to achieve consistent shots with a single source. As with all beans, your grind size plays a massive role in the success of your brew
Single-origin adds another level of complexity that is required to adjust your brewing process.
Conclusion & Considerations
In conclusion, Single-origin coffee is net 100% agreed upon, but generally, it refers to coffee beans grown and sourced from a specific farm or region. Unlike coffee blends, which combine beans from multiple sources, single-origin coffees offer a distinct and unmixed flavor profile that reflects the unique characteristics of their place of origin. There are many different flavors and notes for single origin that are grown all over the world. Coffee lovers will pay for high-quality coffee that brings out the flavors and notes that they love. Focusing on the unique characteristics of beans from a specific location provides a deeper connection to the origins of coffee and supports sustainable and ethical practices in the coffee industry.
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