Single Origin Coffee: 3 Things You Should Know

Single origin coffee is all the rage right now in specialty coffee. It has become synonymous with quality coffee, and consumers love knowing about their coffee as much as possible. The background story of its journey gives coffee lovers a chance to have a deeper appreciation of coffee. The appreciation does not just stop at drinking but also acknowledging all the efforts of those involved in the production process from bean to cup.

So, what is single origin coffee? Simply put, it refers to coffee from a single source; it could be a single crop, a single producer, or a single region in a country. There are also "single farm" and "single estate" along with single origin." This means that the coffee is sourced from one cooperative, one mill, or one farm. Single origin coffee also refers to one specific coffee, unlike in blends, where there is a mix of coffee types. Before you try some single origin coffee, here are three things you should know.

Single Origin Coffee is Traceable and Transparent

With single origin coffee, you know where your coffee comes from. Every farm has its own set of unique location settings, which shapes the coffee's flavor. Specific area characteristics can also be found in its taste. So it's not just the coffee; it's also what goes on around the production and processing of coffee. Information on the land, the climate, the farm, the people, the process, and more are often provided in detail by the retailer or roaster. And in order to have such in-depth knowledge, single origin coffee encourages direct trade. Buyers and roasters seek out exclusive coffee and work closely with the farmers to bring their coffee to the customers.

Single Origin Coffee Influences Quality Coffee

When consumers want to taste the best coffee and desire an understanding of the production process, it provides sustainability for everyone at every level of the coffee-making process. Roasters are pushed to pay fair prices to farmers, who are encouraged in the pursuit of improving the quality of coffee. It necessitates close communication between farmers, roasters, and buyers; some are even cupping on the same farm, exchanging information and scoresheets. When buyers and roasters are fully involved in the coffee production process, they will be able to provide firsthand knowledge about the farm to their customers.

Ways to Enjoy Your Single Origin Coffee

Having good coffee beans is the first step to brewing an excellent cup of coffee. Besides its country of origin, ask your barista about post-harvesting processes and roasting. If you are game for an adventure of taste, single origin coffee can satisfy your tastebuds with its wide variety of options; filter coffee and straight espresso are great ways of enjoying Single Origin Coffee. Blends are sometimes preferred in espressos because it provides a balance of flavors easily complemented with other ingredients like milk. Still, with a good understanding of the milk to coffee ratio, single origin coffee can work well too. Don't hesitate to ask your barista for a recommendation.