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 and processed in a single geographic location, such as a country, region, farm, or individual lot within a farm. This classification ensures traceability, transparency, and a unique flavor influenced by terroir, including soil, climate, and altitude. Single origin coffee beans are the raw beans cultivated exclusively within that defined geographic location. Single-origin coffee gained recognition in the 18th and 19th centuries when estates and ports identified coffee origins. The "second wave" coffee culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s further prioritized origin and quality over blends and instant coffee.

Single origin coffee beans are easier to trace through origin labels, more transparent, and more sustainable to produce. This information on packaging help to connect consumers with the coffee source. Unlike coffee blends, single-origin coffee beans provide traceable details on cultivation and processing, including region, elevation, soil, varietals, processing method, and producer. Some single origin coffee labels provide even more traceability details, identifying the estate, lot, or plantation. They may also specify microlots, which are specific plots within a farm. Some micro or nano lots are named after the farm or producer.

What Does Single Origin Coffee Mean?

The meaning of "single-origin" varies by granularity, from a single country, region, cooperative, or estate to a micro lot or single coffee plant variety. Single origin coffee means beans from one known growing location. Single region coffee means coffee beans from different farms within a specific area or country. Single cooperative coffee means coffee from multiple farms in one region operating under a cooperative that to grow, process, and sell coffee collectively. Single estate coffee means coffee come from a single farm or a group of farms using the same processing mill. Micro lot coffee means coffee from a specific farm, harvest, or section and is produced in limited quantities. Single-varietal coffee comes from one coffee plant variety, such as Geisha or Blue Mountain.

Single origin coffee means the coffee comes from a single farm, estate, source, or a meticulously segregated harvest lot. However, single origin coffee does not mean its organic, healthier or better than blends. A coffee can be single-origin yet contain defects, suffer from poor processing, or be of a lower grade. Single origins and blends serve different preferences rather than one being superior. The idea that single-origin coffee is superior began with the "third wave" coffee movement in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This movement popularized the "story behind the coffee" and created a more artisanal and consumer-focused culture. At its core, "single origin" means traceability, not its quality.

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 coffee comes from one geographic location, such as a specific field, mill, or cooperative.

Single-origin coffees offer better traceability, linking directly to the specific farm and producer. Single-origin coffees provide details on bean varieties, altitude, harvesting, and processing, allowing consumers to trace 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. Consumers prefer single-origin coffees for their traceability through labels of origin and unique tasting notes compared to blends.

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 delivers an authentic and unaltered flavor with complex and distinct regional characteristics. Factors such as coffee variety, growing conditions, and processing methods shape its taste. Many single origin coffee roasters enhance marketing by including details like flavor notes, acidity, body, sweetness, and mouthfeel. On the other hand, blends create a balanced and consistent profile by combining different beans. Commercial cafes prefer blends for their ease of brewing and predictable results.

Single-origin coffee costs more than blends due to sourcing and production challenges. Specialty coffee blends start at $15 USD for a 12-ounce bag and rarely exceed $30. Single-origin specialty beans typically range from $20 to $30 for a 12-ounce bag. Single-estate, single-varietal coffees, like Finca El Cerro Pacamara from El Salvador are often produced in limited quantities and can easily cost over $80 for an 8-ounce bag. Rare, competition-grade single origin Geisha beans, such as those from multiple Cup of Excellence-winning estates like Elida Estate in Panama or Finca El Injerto in Guatemala, are among the most expensive single-origin coffees.

Is Single Origin Coffee Better than Blends?

Whether single origin coffee is "better" than blends depends on your priorities and perspective. For consumers, single-origin coffees highlight their terroir's unique characteristics and offer 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. However, single-origin coffee tastes different seasonally due to temperature, rainfall, and sunlight changes. One lot can differ greatly from others, even with the same coffee variety. Blends, on the other hand, combine beans to create a consistent and balanced flavor profile all year round.

For farmers and producers, single-origin coffee offers pros and cons. Single-origin coffee's higher price than blends allows farmers to earn more. Coffee farmers, especially those growing single-origin specialty coffees, take great pride in their work. Finca Villa Karina owner José Amir Garzon, of Planadas, explains that "single origin coffees help people understand the unique flavors and the love and care that goes into growing each coffee." Garzon has 30 years of experience in coffee farming and focuses on single varietal specialty coffee. His farm is 5 hectares, where he grows single origin Geisha coffee trees. Garzon uses his profits to improve his farm and protect the environment.

However, single-origin coffee does not equally benefit all farmers. It demands greater investment in farming, processing, quality control, and traceability, while potentially limiting sales volume. The single-origin coffee market is still considered a niche market. Over-reliance on this market risks limiting producers since it does not serve most consumers. Success depends on roaster relationships, creating vulnerability to fluctuating buyer demand. Only the long-term contracts with roasters provide financial stability for producers.

The choice between single origin coffee and blends depends on you. 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 is 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 is 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 is 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.

• Stumptown Coffee Roasters
• Blue Bottle Coffee
• Intelligentsia Coffee
• Onyx Coffee Lab
• Colipse Coffee
• La Colombe

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.