Single Origin Coffee: Definition, Benefits, and Where To Buy

Single-origin coffee comes from one specific area, such as a single farm, region, or country. The taste of single-origin coffees varies significantly depending on where and how the beans are grown. Factors like the region, cooperative, estate, micro-lot, or even the specific coffee plant variety all contribute to the unique flavor profile of each single-origin coffee. Single source coffee helps farmers earn more money and get recognition for their hard work. Farmers who grow single source type of coffees are proud of their product.

Single origin coffee comes from one place, while blends are mixes of beans from two or more places. This means single origin has a more distinct flavor, and you know exactly where it's from. Blends usually have a more balanced flavor profile, and they can be more affordable. To find the best single origin coffee beans, match your brewing method to the beans, know your taste preferences, and experiment with different options. Single-origin coffee is more popular now, especially for coffee enthusiasts who like quality and traceability by knowing where their coffee beans come from. You can find high-quality single origin coffee beans at specialty coffee shops, online retailers, and directly from roasters.

What is Single Origin Coffee?

Single-origin coffee refers to coffee grown within a specific geographic area, usually from one producer, crop, or region in a single country. Coffee origins range from single-country sources to specific regions, farms, or even smaller plots within farms known as micro or nano lots. Terms like "single farm", "single source", or "single estate" refer to types of single origin coffee and indicate sourcing from one specific field, mill, or co-operative. Some coffee labels provide even more traceability details, identifying the estate, lot, plantation, or specifying microlots, which are specific botanical coffee bean varietals from single farms.

Single origin coffees often have unique flavor profiles that reflect the terroir of their growth region. Terroir, a term from the wine industry, refers to factors like altitude, soil composition, climate, and nearby organisms that influence flavor. Single origin coffee beans are easier to trace, more transparent, and more sustainable to produce. Consumers prefer single-origin coffees for their traceability through labels of origin and unique tasting notes compared to blends. Many single origin coffee roasters enhance marketing by including details like altitude, variety, processing method, and producer information on packaging to connect consumers with the coffee source.

What Does Single Origin Coffee Mean?

Single-origin coffee means coffee sourced from one specific location. This lets consumers taste the unique flavors of coffee from different places. The definition of single-origin coffee differs depending on the level of specificity, ranging from a single region, single cooperative, single estate, micro lot, to a single variety of coffee plant.

Single Region Coffee: Single-region coffee refers to coffee beans sourced from different farms within a specific geographical area or country. This could be a single country, such as single origin Ethiopian coffee or single origin Brazilian coffee, or a smaller region within a country, like Harrar in Ethiopia or Santos in Brazil. Other examples of single-region coffee include Colombia Huila Coffee, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Coffee, or Burundi Kayanza Coffee.

Single Cooperative Coffee: Single cooperative coffee means coffee sourced from various farms within the same region that operate under one cooperative. A coffee cooperative unites coffee farmers to collectively grow, process, and sell their products. This model benefits farmers by improving operations and ensuring collective ownership. Single origin, single cooperative coffees are often specialty grade. This is due to strict quality standards ensuring excellent flavors. These coffees undergo selection and grading, making them better than regular coffee. Examples of single cooperative coffee include Coopeagri Coffee from Costa Rica and Coomulfac Coffee from Nicaragua.

Single Estate Coffee: Single-estate coffee means that all the beans are sourced from a single farm or estate, or a group of farms sharing the same processing mill. This unity of terroir—soil, topography, and climate—gives the coffee its unique character and consistent quality. Single-estate coffees are specialty coffees that often come from sustainable, organic farms committed to quality and responsible sourcing. Many of these farms are family-owned, managed by generations of the same family. Estate farms are common in Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Examples of single-estate coffees include Finca El Injerto from La Libertad, Guatemala; Finca El Puente from Macala, Honduras; and Fincas El Placer from Quindío, Colombia.

Micro Lot Coffee: Micro lot coffee refers to coffee produced in limited quantities from a specific farm, single harvest, or even one section of a farm. Microlot coffee is picked and processed separately from other farm coffee, allowing producers to improve quality control and potentially charge higher prices. Microlot coffee labels are attractive to consumers because they provide detailed information about the coffee's origin and processing methods, like altitude and specific techniques used. Examples of micro-lot coffee include Elida Estate's Geisha Natural, which won 1st place in the Best of Panama competitions in both 2018 and 2019, and El Injerto, a renowned Guatemalan coffee farm and multiple-time Cup of Excellence champion.

Single Varietal Coffee: Single-varietal coffee comes from one specific variety of coffee plant, like SL28 or Blue Mountain. Single-varietal coffee is different from 100% Arabica single-origin coffee, which can be a mix of different Arabica varieties. Because single-varietal coffees are produced in smaller quantities with just one type of bean, farmers can focus on making them excellent, more interesting, and with higher quality. Single-varietal coffees are often award-winning specialty-grade coffees. Examples of single-varietal coffees include Gesha, Pink Bourbon, and Maragogipe, each with distinct variations in growing region, harvesting method, and processing technique.

What Does Single Origin Coffee Mean for the Farmers?

Single origin coffee directly benefits farmers by offering them higher earnings and recognition for their crops. Coffee farmers, especially those growing single origin specialty coffees, take great pride in their coffee. They want consumers to enjoy the unique flavors and appreciate the hard work involved in producing high-quality beans. Single origin coffees often command higher prices, which directly benefits farmers and their communities.

José Amir Garzon, who runs Finca Villa Karina, a small family coffee farm in Planadas, explains that "single origin coffees help people understand the unique flavors of each coffee. It also shows how much love and care goes into growing it." This remote region is known for its excellent coffee, and Garzon's dedication to sustainable practices like shade-grown coffee further enhances the quality of his beans. Garzon has 30 years of experience in coffee farming and focuses on single varietal specialty coffee. His farm is 5 hectares, where he grows Geisha coffee trees. The coffee cherries are carefully hand-picked when they are perfectly ripe. Garzon uses his profits to improve his farm and protect the environment.

What is the Difference between Single Origin Coffee and Blend?

The main differences between single origin coffee and blends lies in flavor profile, traceability, and price. A coffee blend is a combination of two or more types of coffee beans from various regions or countries, while single origin is coffee sourced from one geographic location.

Single-origin coffee offers the most authentic and unaltered flavor profile, providing an exotic, bold, and robust taste. Each origin has distinct flavors, influenced by the coffee variety, growing conditions, and processing methods specific to that region. create a balanced, consistent profile where the characteristics of different beans complement each other. Commercial coffee shops and cafes often use blends as they are easier to brew and yield predictable results.

Single-origin coffees offer better traceability, linking directly to the specific farm and producer. Single-origin coffees reveal detailed information about coffee varietals, altitude, harvesting, and processing methods, enabling consumers to understand the source and production. In contrast, coffee blends often lack transparency regarding their origins and production methods, which is what makes single origin coffees so special.

Single-origin coffees is more expensive than blends due to production and sourcing challenges. Specialty coffee blends start at $15 for a 12-ounce bag, while single-origin varieties range from the mid-twenties to mid-thirties. Competition-grade single-estate and single-varietal coffees, often produced in limited quantities, can easily exceed $60 for an 8-ounce bag.

Is Single Origin Coffee Better?

There's no definitive answer to whether single-origin coffee is "better" than blends, as it truly depends on your personal preferences. Single-origin coffees highlight their terroir’s unique characteristics, offering diverse and unexpected flavors. For example, a single-origin Colombian coffee might have notes of citrus and caramel, while one from Ethiopia could have floral and berry flavors. Blends, on the other hand, combine beans to create a consistent and balanced flavor profile all year round.

Ultimately, the "better" choice depends on your taste. If you enjoy exploring diverse flavors, single-origin coffees like those from Costa Rica or Tanzania can be a good choice. If you prefer a familiar and reliable taste, a dark-roast house blend or espresso blend might be a better fit. We recommend to start with a coffee blends to explore the range of flavors coffee offers. Once you understand the flavors, try single origin coffees for a more specific experience.

How to Choose the Best Single Origin Coffee for Different Brewing Methods?

Choose the best single origin coffee for different brewing methods by following these eight steps below.

• Match your brewing method: Some coffees work better with certain coffee makers.
• Know your taste: Do you like fruity, chocolatey, or nutty flavors?
• Check processing methods: Washed coffees are clean, naturals are fruity.
• Pick your roast level: Light roasts are more acidic, and dark roasts are more bold.
• Buy whole beans: Whole coffee beans stay fresh longer.
• Check the roast date: Fresher, roasted to order coffee is better.
• Read reviews: See what others think.
• Buy from trusted roasters: Specialty coffee roasters keep quality high.

At Colipse, we understand the importance of these factors, especially matching coffee to your brewing method. That's why we offer specialty-grade single-origin coffee beans and blends, all roasted to order. Whether you prefer pour-over with our light-medium roast Kenyan single origin or a French press with our classic medium-roast breakfast blend, we have options for every brewing style and taste preference.

What are the Best Single Origin Coffee for Espresso?

The best single-origin coffees for espresso come from regions known for bold flavors and low acidity, which maintain quality during extraction. Sumatra, for example, offers earthy and spicy notes with a full body, often accompanied by hints of chocolate and cedar. This intensity makes it a popular choice for espresso. Honduran coffees have a balanced profile with medium body and bright acidity. They offer fruit, caramel, and nut flavors, making a more nuanced espresso. Other excellent choices include Brazil and Guatemala. Brazil offers nutty and chocolatey coffee, while Guatemala has rich chocolate and spice notes.

What are the Best Single Origin Coffee for French Press?

French press coffee is best made with single-origin beans that have a full body and rich flavor, as these work best with the immersion brewing method and make a more flavorful cup. For example, single origin Colombian coffees from Narino are known for balanced acidity with chocolate, caramel, and citrus notes. Another excellent choice is Brazilian coffees, like those from Cerrado, which offer nutty and sweet flavors with chocolate and nutty notes. Indonesian single origin coffees like Bali Blue Moon have earthy and full-bodied profiles with orange and juniper notes. Ugandan coffees, such as those from Sipi Falls, have fruity acidity and a rich mouthfeel with berry and citrus notes.

What are the Best Single Origin Coffee for Cold Brew?

The best single origin coffees for cold brew are medium to dark roast those that have natural sweetness, complex flavor, and avoid excessive bitterness. These roasts often have chocolatey or nutty notes that shine in cold brew. Cold brewing tends to bring out the natural sweetness and nuanced flavors of the beans while minimizing acidity and bitterness. Look for single source coffees from regions like Peru, known for its chocolate and nut flavors, Mexico, which offers coffees with a balanced acidity and sweetness, and Nicaragua, known for its full-bodied coffees with hints of fruit and chocolate. The best way to find your favorite is to experiment with different origins and roasts to discover your preferences.

Where to Buy the Best Single Origin Coffee?

The best single origin coffee can be purchased from specialty coffee shops, premium online retailers, and direct from roasters known for quality sourcing. Visit your local specialty coffee shop to discover new single source beans and talk with experts to find your perfect cup. Explore a variety of single origin coffees from home with online retailers like Colipse. Colipse sells roast-to-order single origin coffee beans, ensuring freshness, in both whole bean and ground options. Support single origin coffee roasters by buying fresh coffee online.

What is the Price for Single Origin Coffee?

Single origin coffee prices at Colipse typically start at $24.50 per 12 oz bag with free shipping for one-time purchases. However, prices can vary based on the coffee's origin, rarity, and processing method. Colipse also offers subscriptions starting at $22.99 per bag with free shipping. Colipse is committed to transparency and values customer trust. You won't find hidden fees or surprise charges. You pay only for the coffee you order.

What are the Best Single Origin Coffee Brands?

Some of the best single-origin coffee brands in the United States are listed below.

Less popular single-origin coffee brands include Bluebeard Coffee Roasters, Sey Coffee, and Kuma Coffee. These brands are known for sourcing high-quality beans from specific regions but are not as widely recognized as major specialty brands.

How Popular is Single Origin Coffee?

Single origin coffee has experienced a surge in popularity, particularly among coffee enthusiasts who value quality, traceability, and unique flavor profiles. Single origin coffee became popular during the third wave specialty coffee movement in the early 2000s, which highlighted quality, traceability, and ethical sourcing. This aligned with single origin coffee’s focus on sourcing beans from specific locations to emphasize unique flavors. Marc Anthony Atton, owner of Single Bean Coffee in Oakville, highlights their focus on single-origin coffee, comparing it to a 'single malt whiskey room' for coffee. Marc hand-picks beans from regions like Ethiopia and Hawaii, roasts them in-house, and uses custom grinders for each variety.

What Do Coffee Roasters Say About Single Origin?

Coffee roasters generally have mixed opinions about the term 'single origin,' expressing both appreciation and concerns about its usage. Steve Hall from Caravan Coffee Roasters says it used to simply mean a coffee that wasn't a blend. Now, he thinks it's not specific enough. There are many differences between coffees, even from the same country. He uses Tanzania as an example. This country has many different climates, from mountains to deserts. The coffee from each region tastes different. So, "single origin" can be helpful, but it doesn't tell the whole story. It's often used to mean the coffee is special, but it's not always a guarantee of quality.