Single-Origin vs. Coffee Blends: Which Brew is Right for You?

Are you a coffee drinker looking for the perfect cup of Java, only to face an overwhelming selection of beans, roasts, and confusing coffee lingo? Whether you want bold and singular flavors or comforting richness, it can feel impossible to choose the right coffee for your morning sips. However, understanding the difference between single-origin coffee and blends can demystify the grocery store aisle and leave you feeling more confident in your coffee knowledge and taste. 

What is Single-Origin Coffee?

Single-origin coffee is made up of beans of – you guessed it – a single origin, with beans that can be traced to the same geographic region, farm, or producer. While different brands may differ in how they define it, single-origin coffee at the base level uses beans that are grown in the same region. 

There are many different types of single-origin beans that you may see at your local coffee shop or grocery store, primarily from Africa, Central and South America, The Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Some of the most common types of single-origin coffes are sourced from: 

• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Indonesia
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Brazil
• Guatemala
• Mexico

When looking at the label of a single-origin coffee bag, pay attention to where exactly the beans come from. Some brands may label something as generic as “Ethiopian” and describe them as originating from the entire country, while others may label “Ethiopia Natural Sidamo” and describe the exact region in the country the beans come from. 

What is A Coffee Blend?

A coffee blend, also representative of its name, is a blend of different coffee beans that are sourced from different regions and countries around the world. The idea behind coffee blends is that the finest of beans from different areas are picked to create a well-balanced flavor. 

Oftentimes, different coffee roasters will create their own specialty coffee blends and invent unique combinations. Usually, espresso coffee beans are a coffee blend and involve coffees of different rich origins roasted to a dark espresso perfection. Some of the most well-known traditional coffee blends are:

• Viennese
• Italian
• French
• Mocha Java 

The Mocha Java coffee blend is considered the original blend and was created in the 17^th century using coffee from the Yemen port of Mocha and the Indonesian Java. 

Single-Origin Coffee Traits

Single-origin coffee takes its taste from the region where it was grown. Climate, altitude, location, and harvest can all affect the taste of the coffee. Because of its specific location, there is often more consistency in single-origin, and coffee drinkers can look to their favorite single-origin coffee to provide a quality and expected brew, knowing that their coffee will taste as anticipated. 

Many claim that single-origin coffee beans brew a stronger cup with a more nuanced flavor profile. Since single-origin coffee only relies on one type of bean, the flavor notes and coffee acidity levels are typically much more distinct. 

For example, a Colombia Supremo bean may brew a cup that is chocolatey and nutty, with light floral and fruity flavors and mild acidity. A cup brewed with Kenya Fancy Mark, on the other hand, will taste floral and fruit-heavy, with a zesty lemon aftertaste and acidity. While Kenya might be perfect for coffee drinkers who prefer a brighter and livelier cup, Colombia drinkers may enjoy the taste of Kenya less, and vice versa. 

Coffee Blend Traits  

Coffee blends can make for an overall more palatable and comforting cup of coffee. Some single-origin coffees can be a little bit wilder and more unrestrained, while coffee blends can display more balance. 

By creating a blend, extremely fruity coffees can be mellowed with a warmer nutty note, or deep chocolatey coffees can be brightened with a crisper bean. The combination of beans is endless and can be used to create a perfect Legendary Blend. 

Coffee blends can also play around with lighter and darker roast beans, combining them to form a happy and medium, like the Norwegian Wood blend. As a new coffee drinker or a practiced one looking for a universally beloved cup, drinking a coffee blend might be exactly what you need as a cozy kickstart to your day. 

Are Single-Origin Beans More Expensive Than Coffee Blends? 

Typically, single-origin coffee beans cost more than blended coffee. This is because single-origin coffee can come from small batches produced within a smaller region or farm. On the other hand, coffee blends can use various ratios of coffee beans from different locations, using the harder-to-come-by beans in smaller amounts than the beans that are grown abundantly. 

While single-origin coffee typically has a higher cost, lovers of the more distinctive flavors are often willing to spend a little extra to get their specialty cup. The lower cost and more balanced flavors of a coffee blend, however, may capture the hearts of others.

Is Single-Origin Coffee More Ethical than Blends? 

For coffee drinkers who want to practice ethical coffee consumption, the ethical tenants of single-origin and coffee blends may be an important consideration when choosing a type. While neither single-origin nor blended coffee is more ethical than the other, single-origin coffee is more traceable.

With single-origin coffee, you can follow the beans back to their region, co-op, or even farm. Because of this, you can learn about how your coffee was produced and where it came from. This traceability advantage does not mean that the coffee was produced and grown more or less ethically than coffee blends, but it means that you have a greater opportunity to look into it. 

Whether you crave a sharp and poignant or balanced and harmonious brew, your perfect coffee is out there. Single-origin beans, with their punchy flavors, and blends, with their even tones, can be found in all sorts of roasts and forms. Earthy, fruity, nutty, and chocolaty notes can find their way into your cup regardless of if you opt for single-origin coffee or blended coffee. No matter which you choose, either can take you on a journey, so why not try out both and see which speaks to you?