All you need to know about single origin coffee

Single Origin vs. Blends

Single origin refers to coffee sourced from a specific region, farm, or producer within a single country. In contrast,  a blend typically consists of coffee beans from various origins. It is possible for a blend to originate from a single country by using beans from different farms or regions, like our Mexico Olmec Gold, but this is less common. 

Coffee roasters offer blends for several reasons. One major reason is to create a distinctive coffee that reflects their brand. Since green coffee beans are often sourced from suppliers that sell to multiple roasters, it can be challenging for roasters to differentiate their products beyond a roast profile.

Another reason is to maintain consistency throughout the year. Coffee is a crop and much like fruits and vegetables,  will come in and out of season. By combining beans from various origins in a blend, roasters can better preserve a consistent flavour profile, even as the availability of individual beans fluctuates. This is helpful to cafes and stockists as customers can enjoy their favourite coffee year-round.   

 

What makes single origin coffee different

Single origin coffee is often favoured by enthusiasts because it highlights the unique characteristics of different origins. There are many factors influencing the flavours of a single origin coffee. This includes coffee varieties, processing methods, terroir and the local climate conditions. 

For example, our Kenya Gulmarg AA is very juicy, featuring flavour notes of blackcurrant and lemon. Bright acidity and a fruit-forward profile are typical for coffee from this origin. In contrast, our Peru Tunki offers classic nutty and chocolate-like notes with a creamy texture. Familiarizing yourself with these origin characteristics can be a helpful tool when deciding on your next order.

Coffee is seasonal, providing a fantastic opportunity to offer a variety of exciting options throughout the year. Seasonal changes can also influence cafe menu offerings. For the summer months, a vibrant and floral coffee from Ethiopia, such as our Wubanchi, would be an excellent choice, whether served hot or cold. As the colder months approach, our Colombia Nariño, with notes of apple, winter berries, and treacle, would be a fitting selection.

Single-origin coffee also allows us to highlight specific farms and producers, enhancing traceability and connection in the coffee experience. At Butterworth, our sourcing model is based on long-term relationships, which means that around the same time each year, we can expect to offer the same coffee from the same farms or producers.

 

Serving single origin as Espresso

Many cafes offer single origin coffee as guest espresso, which is a nice touch for customers who fancy a change. At the same time making the house blend available year-round for the regulars. When selecting a single origin for espresso, it’s important to choose flavours that work well with and without milk.

If your cafe primarily serves cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites, consider choosing a coffee with dessert-like flavours. Sweet notes of chocolate or caramel pair nicely with milk-based drinks. Some great options include Peru Inca GoldMexico Olmec Gold and Peru Tunki. Less considered but equally as tasty would be something stone-fruit and tropical, such as our Indonesia Kerinci Natural.

We recommend looking to other food and drink pairings for inspiration. Exploring desserts or cold drink menus to see what works well together. Take milkshakes for example, a milk-based drink which pairs well with chocolate or hazelnut, but is also delicious with fruits like strawberry, banana and mango. This logic can be applied to coffee: a fruity Natural coffee with milk might bring a comparable tropical experience. If you are unsure which coffee to choose, let us know and we will be happy to help!

 

Serving single origin as Filter & Batch brew

Filter coffee is an excellent way to highlight the unique qualities of a particular coffee. Plus, customers are likely to order that all-important second cup as filter coffee tends to be less rich than an espresso-based drink.

Cafes with the time and space can consider having a classic V60 or an Aeropress at the brew bar. The brewing process, when demonstrated by a barista, is visually engaging and adds to the overall experience. Additionally, manual brewing methods often enhance the best characteristics of single origin coffees.

Batch brew on a Moccamaster is another excellent option to serve filter coffee, as it provides a fast and efficient way to deliver drinks to customers, especially during busy periods. While an Americano may take over 30 seconds to prepare, a cup from a batch brewer can take as little as 10 seconds.  This approach helps reduce the workload for the barista operating the espresso machine, plus the customers can get their coffee quicker. 

Now that we’ve got you thinking, check out our Single Origin collection and pick your next coffee adventure!