Everything You Need to Know About Single Origin Coffees
“The phrase ‘single origin’ is concise, but carries a lot of meaning.” It is usually condensed to refer to a cup of joe sourced from a single farmer, harvest, or locality in one nation. The qualifier “single farm” or “single estate” implies that the coffee originates from one specific farm, processing facility, or collective. You may take it one step further and look for coffee tags with details like the estate it was grown in, the parcel of land, or whether it is from a microlot of a particular type from a single farm.
Yet this isn’t all that single origin means. As SCAE’s Andra Vlaicu says:
The most significant aspect of single origin coffee is the fact that you can trace its origins, verifying precisely from which location it originated from, rather than it being a mixture of several different kinds. It is commonplace for coffee from a specific farm in a special environment to be of an excellent grade – its flavor is reflective of where it was grown, providing it with distinct qualities derived from that area.
That’s why third wave coffee is drawn to single origins; the goal is to gain a deeper comprehension of the attributes of the coffee, and how the properties can be altered at its place of origin.
Single Origin Coffee
“Single origin” connotes coming from one source. This is the central concept behind single origin coffee. By getting all the coffee from a single spot – be it from one farm or one nation – this offers the special flavor and scent of the region’s coffee.
Since this phrase typically describes a broader region, it is unrealistic to assume the single origin coffee is sourced from only one type of coffee bean. Throughout coffee farms, one can usually witness various types of coffee beans. Nevertheless, since the java only comes from one place, the flavor and smell or its general structure is unmistakably impacted by the various components and conditions unique to that particular area.
Put theoretically, “single origin” isn’t a marker of excellence; it simply implies that the beans originated from a certain area. All coffee beans that have been roasted before being imported come as individual batches of one variety. Despite the fact that it costs more, it is worth it to progress the itinerary to coffee shops that conserve their genuine features intact, making them unparalleled and exclusive.
What Are Their Special Qualities?
When discussing single origin coffee, a unique drink comes to mind. What makes single origin coffee different from blends?
Exclusivity
Due to the special characteristics of single origin coffee beans, it is made to order each time it is requested. Conversely, coffee mixtures are prepared in large quantities. Therefore, it’s important that the baristas who prepare single origin coffees must be knowledgeable given the special characteristics of each coffee bean. This implies that tasting the quality of single origin coffee takes effort and dedication because baristas must give extra attention to the making of this kind of coffee.
Limited Availability
Because it is sourced from a single location, large quantities of single origin coffee cannot be produced. It is usually not obtainable throughout the year, but just during specific times of the year. A coffee shop usually only offers coffee when it tastes the best. Single origin coffee is not always easy to get, so it becomes a treat that can be anticipated, enjoyed, and savored.
Singularity
It is possible to occasionally encounter a new flavor due to the variability in each season’s harvest. Single origin coffees have distinct tastes from one batch to another. It could be enjoyable to experiment with a range of harvests of single origin coffees and compare their particular qualities.
The distinctive flavour of single origin coffee makes it possible for coffee shops to provide a variety of items on their menus, as the flavours of different batches of single origin coffee vary significantly. Single origin coffee has become popular among coffee shops seeking to form their own distinct coffee-based identity. Naturally, you would anticipate that the taste of one single origin coffee differs from that of another single origin coffee, yet commonly speaking, their flavor is generally more robust, intense, and unique.
Distinction (Signature)
Third-generation coffee roasters are extremely particular regarding the source of their coffee beans. For many years, single origin coffees, particularly from a single farm, have been desired due to their ability of being tracked. Coffee shop proprietors are aware that their beans can be easily identifiable since they only come from a single location. The clear marks of the area’s atmosphere, geography, and the maker’s selected techniques of handling can be observed in them.
THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF SINGLE ORIGIN
So how did single origins enter “mainstream” vocabulary? Jeremy Torz, creator and head of Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, attests that an upsurge in cafes providing novel brewing techniques such as pour overs and AeroPresses has kindled increased curiosity about them. He stated that alternative coffees could be provided without affecting the main espresso selection, and these have eventually ended up in the espresso category. Considering the fast speed at which the coffee industry is constantly moving and baristas expressing the need and interest to try out and create something new, it makes perfect sense that many of the trends and standards we have followed in the past are now being ignored in order to reshape coffee consumption in the modern era.
It seems that single origin offerings are highly favored due to their ability to be traced. Andrew Hetzel of CafeMakers Coffee Consultants asserts that those with knowledge about coffee want assistance in recognizing and conveying the complex aromas and flavors associated with high-quality coffees. The majority of customers are uninformed and not driven to learn more, but can be discreetly directed to coffees of a higher quality. The information that comes with a roast or sale is incredibly useful, going into great detail explaining where it comes from (the farm, terrain, individuals, atmosphere, variety, and so on).
The coffee craze today is characterized by a want for more openness and revolutionary approaches, so it is to be expected that single origin coffee is proving so successful.
DEMAND FOR SINGLE ORIGINS DRIVES CHANGES AT ORIGIN
What impact has the growing trend of using single-origin products had on production?
It has been discovered that our collective buying power has the potential to alter the way farming is conducted. Specialty farmers are making progress in producing better quality produce in reaction to our requirement. Some people try out various grape varieties or kinds of grapes, the amount of supervision they have over the growth cycle, when and how to collect the grapes, and how to pulverize and refine them.
DIRECT TRADE INCREASES COFFEE QUALITY
These experiments would never have occurred without direct trade. There has been an evident increase in the dialogue between coffee producers and farmers, which is essential for achieving an even better quality of coffee. Producers trust roasters to update them on industry developments, whereas specialty roasters are continuously trying to uncover interesting single origin items to promote. These roasters can now conveniently track producers down and learn from them.
The use of origin visits has become increasingly more common and these trips offer an abundance of valuable information for coffee roasters and green bean purchasers. It is a rarity to find a specialty roaster who does not have an in-depth knowledge of how cultivating their beans and the processing of them impacts their product. Producers, purchasers, and toasters sample on the plantation alongside each other, occasionally up to a sweeping 100 espresso blends on a single occasion, to contrast preparing strategies and the scoresheets for their tasting cups – and as both data and espresso are swapped, customers can see a rise in the complexity of the available coffees.
HOW DOES THE INDUSTRY MEASURE COFFEE QUALITY?
We have identified that single origin coffees tend to possess better flavor and that direct trade practices has caused a surge in the availability and excellence of specialty coffee. But how do we validate that a particular brew is of good quality? After all, single origin doesn’t have to mean good.
Well, that’s where industry evaluation systems come into play. These highly noted structures (consider Cup of Excellence or Coffee Quality Institute Q) examine the value of coffees, mostly encompassing individual origins, individual farms, and limited amounts. These systems not only help customers make informed decisions when buying coffee; they also encourage them to strive for better quality beans. If producers and roasters capitalize on these systems in their promotion methods, they will be monetarily compensated for making great coffee.
The three major methods employed are Cup of Excellence, Coffee Quality Institute Q, and Coffee Review. The Cup of Excellence is perceived as the highest accolade in the specialty coffee market, recognizing the quality and effort that goes into producing rare and exquisite lots. The Coffee Quality Institute Q system follows the regulations set by the SCAA and gauges the quality of Arabica, Robusta and mixture coffee varieties at their point of origin. Coffee Review is extremely beneficial for roasters and retailers. It can be argued that this coffee buying guide is one of the most widely read and influential around the world, and it offers reviews of the various roast profiles.
What Are The Advantages of Choosing It?
Backing farmers who specialize in one kind of coffee bean typically affords them a steadier source of revenue. This will not just give them the ability to take care of their families, it will also allow them to keep investing in environmentally-friendly coffee growing. Therefore, coffee aficionados can remain to take pleasure in superb coffee made with upgraded beans that disclose a more fascinating narrative of their starting point.
Coffee Blends
As the designation conveys, a coffee blend is composed of a variety of coffee beans from several origins. This could be composed of various types of coffee bean plants from different nations or areas.
Why Are They Produced?
Mixtures known as coffee blends would not be possible without single origin coffees, since they consist of only them. What is the purpose of combining different types of coffee that are each enjoyable on their own?
Consistency
Roasting blends of substances will give the product a more even flavor. By combining minimal quantities from an assortment of coffee bean harvests, significant quantities could be combined together.
The resulting product was so big that it could be distributed in large quantities. All these large portions are from a single blend. Using a combination of three different crops of coffee beans weighing one thousand kilos each instead of three standalone coffees of those same crops provides you with a consistently tasty cup of coffee.
Ready Availability
The flavour of coffee mixtures remain unchanged since they are produced in bulk quantities. Due to the increased availability, the coffee blend is the most popular type of coffee worldwide. The coffee market is immense.
Roaster’s Recipe
It would be difficult to recognize the individual coffee beans in a blend since the individual tastes and fragrances of each bean are blended together with those of the other coffees in the combination.
The flavor and aroma of the mix depend on the output of the roaster. Thus, they would determine what amount of single source coffee to be combined to get the ideal flavor. Cupping is the process of toasting and mixing. It’s important to note or remember the types of combinations that work together in order to ensure that each following batch has the same smell and taste.
Popular Appeal
Mixing together multiple types of beans gives a coffee a milder but more complex flavor than that of single origin coffee. It is anticipated that the distinct coffee beans will team up with one another, resulting in a smoother and more even taste. As opposed to single origin coffee, it has a flavor that is distinct with more pronounced characteristics because of its distinctiveness.
The single origin is in its purest form. Thus, it is not prudent to utilize it for drinks containing milk. Conversely, coffee blends tend to produce a more balanced flavor when combined with milk as the different flavours from different beans within the mix combine to form a pleasing taste.
Mixing coffee beans can be beneficial since the tastes of one bean variety may neutralize the unpleasant notes of another. This is impossible to do with single-origin coffee. The flavor of the food cannot be masked or improved by other tastes that may contrast or compliment it.
Despite the fact that blending can reduce or minimize the poor qualities of a coffee bean harvest, it can also diminish or hide its exceptional ones.