The Difference: Coffee Blends VS Single Origin Coffee

Coffee has been a favourite drink of many. It is a refreshment you can drink either cold or hot and any time of the day. You can add milk, whipped cream, and more, depending on how you want to experience it. It has become a global drink that has various flavours, kinds, and specialties.

That is why just like any typical coffee supplier, we always get asked the question: Which is the best? Coffee blends or single-origin coffee? It is a tough question to answer, so why not let us present how each kind of coffee differs to help you identify which one suits your taste best.

The Difference: Coffee Blends VS Single Origin Coffee

On Origin

A coffee blend, from its name, is a mix of two or more origin coffee beans. The mixture can come from two coffees from the same region or different areas. There are two ways to produce it. One is by blending the beans before they are roasted, which is called pre-roast. The other one is by roasting the coffee beans separately first and then blending the roasted coffee after, which is called post-roast. 

A single-origin coffee refers to the coffee that is grown in a specific region. It can come from a single coffee farm or several coffee farms in a particular country. This type of coffee introduces a unique and robust taste that sets it apart from other coffees. 

On Taste

No coffee tastes the same, and every drinker has their preferences. Roasters blend coffees to get more variety and combine exotic features for each. For example, a roaster can mix a popular coffee bean from Yemen called the mocha coffee beans and mix it with a famous exotic coffee from Indonesia called the java beans and produce a commercially loved mocha-java coffee.

Coffee blends are also created to make specific coffees appeal to more people. For example, the washed Guatemala coffee is popular for its bright apple-like taste, but it is not a flavour everyone loves. A roaster can mix it with a more mellow coffee to make it attractive for more coffee drinkers. 

A single-origin coffee, on the other hand, is more potent in terms of aroma, taste, flavour, and acid content. They are prepared as is, so there are no other elements to conceal its sharp, rich taste.  

On Price

Since single-origin coffee can only be produced on a specific period, it tends to be more expensive compared to the blended coffee. Blended coffee involves different beans, which makes it possible to be produced all year-round. 

Their Advantages and Disadvantages

The coffee blend is best for people who prefers a toned down coffee, or who gets easily bored and wants to explore other flavours. Coffee blends often introduce tastes that are widely accepted and generally appreciated by a lot of people. There are many blends to choose from. You only need to find the right kind of coffee mix. Because a lot of combinations have already been produced, you may find a great blend and a poorly paired version.   

Single-origin coffee is best for people who enjoy unique and exotic flavours to their coffees. However, single-origin coffee is not as well-rounded as coffee blends. At the same time, there is no guaranteed safety net for coffee beans from a single-origin coffee. There is a chance that when your coffee is produced on a bad batch, the whole pack will be bad as well. No other coffee bean can cover up for its taste. 

Conclusion

In the end, the better coffee between the two still depends on your preferences. Now that you have an idea on what aspects they differ, you may find yourself leaning towards one category. Always remember that when choosing between two options, there is always an opportunity to try both until you find the best coffee for you. 

If you are looking for the best tasting coffee to try in Sydney, we have unparalleled coffee options in terms of flavour and type of roasting. Browse through our shop and experience a new coffee at home