Coffee Basics 101: Single Origin vs Blends

“Is single origin or blends better?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions of Perk’s customers.

For those who have yet to read our previous blog post on specialty coffee here’s a quick summary for you! Single origin coffee and coffee blends are two main categories that fall under specialty coffee, which is also currently the largest player in the coffee industry!

These days, there’s much more flexibility in selecting the variation in roast levels, coffee blends, acidity and even the flavours. If you are just embarking on your coffee journey, it might feel overwhelming.

But, don’t worry. At Perk, our founders have spent years understanding and appreciating coffee, and have curated amazing coffees for you. Read on to find out which coffee type better suits your preference!

Tell me more about single origin coffee!

As its name suggests, single origin beans are harvested from a single place, usually a certain country or region. One example will be our “Brazil Cerrado”, which essentially means that the beans were harvested and processed in Brazil by the Cerrador region.

Coming from only ONE source, single origin coffee tend to only be available at certain periods of a year, depending on the harvesting season. Such coffees are exotic and unique, and their characteristics are pegged to their geographical conditions.

Single origin coffee also provides the opportunity for people to experience an exclusive taste at the purest it can be. Their aroma, acidity and flavours are often more pronounced than the balanced and mellowed blends.

Tip: For those who are seeking a unique experience, single origin coffee is an option for you as no two batches will taste the same.

How about coffee blends?

You may not know this, but most coffee drinkers consume coffee blends more than any types of coffee! These coffees comprise of multiple beans of different origins, which produces a flavour of combined features. They are often more consistent in taste as they are mixed and produced in larger batches.

Blends are more well-balanced and they pack a more approachable and gentler taste. With various beans mixed together, coffee blends produce a harmonious taste that strikes all the chords. Imagine the mouthfeel, aroma and flavour notes of various beans combined… how mouth-watering is that!

Tip: If you are looking for a well-rounded coffee that’s consistent, choose the blends!

Single origin vs Blends

Here are 3 factors that set apart the single origin from the blends, and vice versa!

1) Flavour profile

A single origin coffee has the most original and unaltered flavour profile, while a coffee blend combines the elements of various beans. Single origins tend to have an exotic taste, are bolder and more robust, while a coffee blend balances it out with different beans that complement each other.

2) Purity

Single origin coffee are raved for their purity and high quality, and it tells a story about its origin. Most single origin beans will brew a clean and crisp cuppa coffee, which may not be suitable for a milk-based beverage. On the other hand, coffee blends consist of various blends of different origins.

3) Consistency

You may be in for a pleasant surprise every time you buy a pack of single origin coffee! The consistency of these coffees may vary slightly with seasonal conditions. The difference in the taste of the same coffee of different batches will be more pronounced as compared to coffee blends that are more mellowed due to the combination of multiple beans.

Conclusion

Single origin coffees may be ideal for you if you are interested in exploring the unique characteristics and exotic flavours from all around the world.

However, if you are new to brewing, a solid coffee blend may just be the right choice for you! These types of coffee are often more approachable and well-rounded.

Ultimately, it still boils down to every individual’s tastes and preferences. If you’re still unsure of which is more suitable for you, why not try both! Our flexible system at Perk allows you to customise your coffee order just the way you want. 🙂