Ever wondered what makes single-origin coffee special? Here’s all you need to know.
What is single-origin coffee?
Coffee can either be single origin or a blend. A single origin is coffee grown in one specific place. A blend is a mix of coffee beans from different places, two, three or perhaps more.
‘Place’ is a deliberately ambiguous word here. The best coffee retailers would use the term ‘single origin’ to mean coffee beans from one particular farm or estate.
Sometimes non-specialist retailers like supermarkets label coffee as single origin when it is made up of beans from one larger region or even a whole country.
Confused? Let’s stick with the tightest definition possible from the experts: A single-origin coffee comes from one particular farm or estate.
If you are unsure if the coffee you are looking at is a blend or single origin, then check the label closely. If the label identifies the exact farm or estate the beans were grown on, you can say for sure that it is single origin. If it only names a country or region of a country, it’s likely a blend of beans from several farms.
Is single-origin coffee better?
The short answer here is usually, but not necessarily. We’ll explain why.
Single origin has enormous potential to be amazing. If a grower can provide the optimal conditions for growing the very best varieties of coffee plant, like Geisha for instance, and they hone their harvesting, processing and drying of the beans, then they can produce an incredible coffee. Like one you’ve never tasted before.
Single-origin coffee will have a strong individual flavour profile. No two are the same because their flavours are affected by so many variables: climate, altitude, plant variety, harvesting methods and more. Even the same farm growing the same variety of plant may not produce same-tasting coffee each year. Think of single origin coffees as ‘limited edition.’
This level of individuality doesn’t mean that single origin coffees are always amazing, however. The Cup of Excellence is an international coffee competition that seeks out the world’s best single origin coffees. If the coffee you are looking at has the Cup of Excellence seal of approval, it is of the highest quality.
Finally, personal preference is involved. Some people prefer the lighter, fruitier single-origin coffees, whereas others prefer richer and darker flavours. What we can say for sure is that there are almost certainly several single origin coffees out there that will blow you away; it’s just a question of finding them. Using coffee colour flavour guides will help.
What about blends?
Blended coffees can also be excellent. Often, the best coffee producers blend beans for balance and a more well rounded flavour. They can also provide a more consistent taste this way. Returning customers can be assured that a house blend from their favourite retailer will be almost identical each time they purchase it.
Espresso lovers may also prefer blends over single-origin coffees. Blends tend to be more robust and perfect for espresso. Single-origin coffees may need more delicate treatment.
Should I switch to single-origin coffee?
Switching to single-origin coffee could make sense for the following reasons.
1. You get to explore the best coffees in the world.
Bringing single-origin coffee into your life is going to be the start of an incredible journey. Explore coffees from around the world, find your taste preferences, and enjoy learning just how diverse coffee flavours can be. Using a guide like the Cup of Excellence means that you can find the very best coffees from the get-go.
2. You support dedicated farmers.
One of the best things about single-origin coffee is its traceability. From the packet, you should know which estate the coffee has come from, and perhaps even the farmer’s name. This allows you to understand much more of what has gone into producing that particular coffee.
This is also empowering for the farmers. Having their work acknowledged in this way means they are more likely to have a positive relationship with the roasters and to be paid fairly. Excellent relationships through the coffee production chain, in turn, help boost coffee quality.
The Cup of Excellence also seeks to improve pay for coffee growers and to ensure their dedication is rightly acknowledged.
3. You can shop sustainably.
The packaging of single-origin coffee also allows you to explore the sustainability and eco footprint of the product. Lots of farmers are extremely dedicated to maintaining the biodiversity on their estate and minimising the environmental impacts of coffee production. Why not support them and help to drive further positive changes?
Where does the best single-origin coffee come from?
It’s impossible to give a definitive answer! There are so many amazing coffee producers all around the world. We recommend sampling single-origin coffees from the following countries:
- Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi and Rwanda in Africa.
- El Salavador, Guatemala and Costa Rica in Central America.
- Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador in South America.
- Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Yemen in the Asia-Pacific region.
If you are looking to explore the world through single-origin coffee, then you can buy coffee beans in Dubai and elsewhere at speciality stores. Enjoy the journey!
AUTHOR BIO
Drew Dennehy is the co-founder of THREE Coffee, one of the region’s leading specialty coffee companies, headquartered in Dubai. His passion for coffee has led to the pursuit of career opportunities around the world from New Zealand and Europe to the United Arab Emirates. Drew’s goal is to enhance coffee experiences and ensure the industry is sustainable at every level. “We will achieve this by telling the story of the farmers who make each cup possible.”
