What single origin means
A single origin coffee comes from one place. That can be as broad as a country, or as specific as a region, a cooperative, a farm or even one lot on that farm. The more specific, the easier it is to trace.
These coffees show the character of a place: its climate, altitude, varieties and processing. That is why an Ethiopian coffee tastes so different from a Colombian coffee.
What a blend is
A blend combines coffees from two or more origins, sometimes roasted separately and then mixed. Roasters build a blend for a specific result: balanced sweetness, heavy body, or a recipe that tastes the same all year.
Single origin: pros and cons
- Pros: distinctive flavors, seasonal variety, full traceability.
- Cons: flavor changes from crop to crop, and some coffees are more demanding to brew.
Blend: pros and cons
- Pros: consistent, easy to dial in, often forgiving and great with milk.
- Cons: less individual character, and less traceable.
How to choose
| If you want | Try |
|---|---|
| To explore flavors with filter coffee | A washed single origin, such as Colombia Huila |
| A reliable daily espresso | A blend, such as the Runway Espresso Blend |
| Chocolate and nut flavors | A Brazilian single origin |
| Fruit and floral notes | A light-roasted Ethiopian or Kenyan coffee |
Many coffee lovers keep one of each: a blend for everyday and a single origin for the weekend. Check how to read a coffee bag to see what the label tells you.
Levels of traceability
Not all single origins are equally specific. A bag labelled only with a country tells you less than one with a region, a cooperative or a farm name. The best labels also list the harvest year, altitude, variety and processing.
Seasonality
Single origins change with the harvest, so a coffee you love may be replaced by a different lot next season. Blends are usually adjusted by the roaster to taste the same throughout the year.
Common questions
Are blends lower quality than single origins?
No. A well-made blend can be excellent, because the roaster picks each component to complement the others. Quality depends on the coffees and the roasting, not the label.
Do single origins cost more?
Often, but not always. Price depends on the crop, the lot size and the cost of production. Look at the details on the bag, not just the label.
What is a house blend?
It is a roaster's signature recipe, designed to taste consistent and work in espresso and filter. See our Runway Espresso Blend for an example.
