Q:Very cool! I think I've had a coffee from that region. I believe it was from handsome coffee roasters. I know single origin implies from one region (one lot) but don't different varietals bring different profiles? Acting more like a blend?

nicekids

You are right in that “single origin” refers to the coffee growing region, or the particular estate the coffee comes from. However, it does not necessarily mean it is from the same lot. You can have several lots of coffee come from the same region in the same way you can have apples purchased from different trips at the same local orchard.

Having different varieties of coffee in the same region does not make it a blend, though. The term “blend” is used when referring to coffees from different regions, countries, or continents that are “blended” together to achieve a desired flavor profile. A perfect example of this is the “Breakfast Blend” that many roasters put out. This coffee tends to be of medium to dark roast and is designed to pack a punch in terms of flavor. And the reason for this is that our taste buds cannot distinguish favors very well in the morning after waking up. So the coffee is blended to be more robust and flavorful than usual to make up for that. Subtle complexities and nuances in flavor don’t get picked up until after noon or so.

The different varieties of coffee may have some differences, but they would be slight, since they have all been exposed to the same weather and soil conditions. The main difference of varietals lie in what they were specifically bred for. Caturra, for example, is a shorter plant (easier access to berries when harvesting), yields more coffee, produces berries sooner, and is more disease rsistant that some of its Arabica family members.

7 Notes/ Hide

  1. despetitesvictoires said: Thanks for this - so interesting!
  2. phrappachino said: Awesome response :D
  3. lauruns said: Okay, I just learned a lot. On top of being a pilot, please begin your own coffee business. And give discounts to tumblrs. Thanks.
  4. josethompson posted this