What is Single Origin Coffee?

‘Single Origin’ means that the beans are all sourced from the same place. And when light roasted, these beans make great cold brew and pour over coffee. Of course, leaving it here would be like saying that coffee was just a drink. We all know there’s so much more to it. Single origin is the diving board you use to discover exactly how good the coffee really is.

Let’s Dive into the depths of Single Origin coffee.

Bean origin matters because factors such as the soil type, climate, production and processing methods shape the final flavor – from the aroma to the aftertaste.

So what does ‘single origin’ actually mean? Well, there are different types of geographical origins that are included in this umbrella term.

Single country or region

The beans are all sourced from the same country. You might have heard of Colombian or Indonesian beans, for example. Nowadays, though, the term feels far too broad, and generic, it misrepresents the amazing differences that can be found in coffee. Think of a big country like Brazil, with its different microclimates, it’s only natural that there will be undeniable differences between beans that are harvested in northern regions and those in the south.

For example, an ‘Indonesian coffee bean’ is a single origin, but a bean from a particular island in Indonesia is also single origin.

BUT…

Does single origin indicate that the coffee is better quality than a blend with beans from all over? No. At least, you can’t rely on that meaning. In fact, this is one of the great myths circulating in the coffee drinking population. Unfortunately, single origin has become synonymous with “high quality.”

The truth is, however, that it may or may not be excellent coffee. A roaster could have inferior quality beans from a giant corporate farm that could be expertly roasted to pull an incredible flavour and aroma from the fruit. You would have an amazing, high-quality cup of coffee that is also single origin. It is not “Specialty” though.

Single farm and/or cooperative

These are beans that are grown within a single farm. Shaped by the same levels of rain, farmers’ traditions, specific growing conditions and processing methods, this coffee is a unique product of that particular time and place. Because it’s bound to a harvesting season and has very limited availability, it’s more expensive, but also of very high quality.

Since some farms aren’t big enough to supply satisfying amounts of coffee, it’s common to find beans that come from the same cooperative instead.

Does single farm or cooperative indicate that the coffee is better quality?

Chances are for it. For a farm or cooperative to become famous and sign their coffee they have to produce something that is at least better than average. On the same token, it is still exposed to the microclimate and year on year could be better than, or worse than average.

Micro-lot and nano-lot

The finest coffee connoisseurs can purchase beans that come from a particular lot (or an even smaller nano-lot) in a specific farm. It certainly doesn’t get any more exclusive than this.

Does microlot indicate that the coffee is better quality?

Absolutely! Otherwise it wouldn’t make sense, to try to come up with something in small quantities that have no substance.

Single Varietal

“Varietal,” a botanical term. The varietal of a coffee indicates the type of plant it is. Coffee plants grow in the so-called “Bean Belt” that extends out a parallel on either side of the equator. Different plants flourish in different geographical regions, and each type of coffee bean has its own properties and flavor profiles.

Does single Varietal indicate that the coffee is better quality?

Most of time, yes. It is not that easy to get single varietal coffee due to the way farmers operate and replace the trees in their farms. Single varietal coffee is something that everyone should try just because it gives us a clean cup full of the features a single varietal can offer.