Single Origin Coffee Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters

What is Single Origin Coffee

Have you ever bought a bag of coffee with the words single origin labeled on it? Believe it or not, there is a huge difference between single origin coffee and blends. Single origin coffee means that the coffee comes from one single region or farm. When different coffees are blended, they contain beans from all over the world and of varying qualities. Within this article, we will be diving into the complex similarities and differences between single origin and blends.

What Does Single Origin Mean

The term single origin might sound fancy; however, it really is not. All it really means is that the coffee comes from one region. This means it could be a certain farm or a small region.

Blends are different. They mix beans from all over the world. This is supposed to make it taste more or less the same every time, which is different from single origin, as single origin is all about showing off the little details and uniqueness of the coffee.

A lot of things can affect the taste of coffee. Certain factors, such as climate, soil, and even altitude, can change the flavor. Two of our most popular beans are Ethiopian and Guatemalan. While both are amazing, they have many differences. Ethiopian coffee tends to be grown at a higher elevation and has more floral and citrusy notes, while Guatemalan coffee is known to have a more chocolatey and smooth taste, as well as a slower drying process. These small differences can truly have a big impact.

At Harvey’s Coffee, we do not try to cover up the flavors. We focus on letting their natural flavors shine. When you drink single origin, you are tasting where it came from, and that is what makes it special.

What Makes Single Origin Coffee Special

Now that we know what single origin coffee is, let us explore why it is special. The number one aspect? The flavor. Each cup is made from the flavor of the land in which it is grown, with various origins providing distinctions from fruity, floral notes to deep chocolate flavors. The flavor of a single origin cup is representative of where it came from.

There is also an experience with intention that comes along with drinking single origin coffee. It is not just coffee. It is the result of soil, climate, altitude, and farmers' efforts from this one place. When something is so traceable, there is a reason to drink it, where it is from and who, more often than not, grew it. There are hands and a place that took care of the bean, all the more appreciated.

There is also an added appreciation for variety when it comes to drinking single origin coffee. Each origin has something to offer, creating spaces for discovery. This is why Harvey's Coffee changes its single origin offerings throughout the year. There is something interesting going on all around the world. Some flavors are sweet, clean, and citrusy, while others are bold, earthy, and rich. Either way, it offers a bit of intrigue for the untrained palate and the experts alike.

Single origin beans are also associated with small farms and cooperatives that care where they source their product. They care more about quality than quantity, and we partner with such people whose growth comes from passion and purpose. That purpose is realized in every roast.

So yes, single origin coffee tastes great, but what makes it special is everything behind the bean, the people, the place, the care, and more that goes into your cup.

How to Experience Single Origin Coffee

To experience single origin coffee is to brew with intention. These beans come from diverse regions and boast their own flavor profiles based upon linens. Therefore, how and what one makes and adopts will matter. For instance, always buy whole bean single origin coffee. Grinding single origin coffee more than it needs to be ground loses flavor. Ground coffee beans lose flavor after a few minutes, while whole beans retain the richness and complexity for much longer.

In terms of brewing, the brew choice matters as well. Those looking for an experience with the lightest of light roasts to medium roasts would benefit from a pour over. For darker roast lovers, the French press is a sturdier experience. Cold brew is merely an option, but for bright and berry beans, cold brew may be preferred over hot. It is always best to taste for yourself.

Finally, use clean, mineral free filtered water for the experience (yet this is often forgotten!), not spring water. Use 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit for an effective brew.

To enjoy, drink as you like, but it always helps to drink black first to appreciate the notes. Mill each cup with aquatic, floral, fruit, nutty, chocolate notes. Sit. Smell. Savor. Taste. Question. What are you experiencing?

At Harvey's Coffee, we recommend that you take time with your cup. What sits before you? Where did it come from? Why does it taste this way? What does it say? What story does it have for you?

Every cup comes with everything on its journey from its small hometown to your hand. If brewed correctly and taken in over time, it is hard to imagine coffee any other way.