What is the difference between coffee blends?
Difference in coffee blends
The best Coffee blends are special types of coffee that come from different origins. Just like the name sounds, it contains coffee beans not only from different origins but from different conditions like humidity, temperature, sunlight, aeration, and soil conditions.
If you're a fan of an early morning or any time of the day coffee, by now, you would understand that coffees have gone beyond a scoop of black or brown coffee beans, sugar, and milk. Speciality coffee has transcended into blends of flavour, types of beans, techniques, roast levels, and acidity.
What is a coffee blend?
A coffee blend is a combination of different types of coffee beans with distinct conditions such as humidity, temperature, sunlight, aeration, and soil conditions. The purpose of blending is to create a unique flavour profile that is different from single-origin coffee. Here, at Coffeegems, we carefully select beans that complement and enhance each other to create a well-balanced and desired flavour profile, such as a smooth and well-rounded coffee, or a bold and intense coffee. As a coffee lover, you will enjoy experimenting with different blends and discovering your own personal preferences.
Benefits of coffee blends
Complex flavour profiles: Coffee blends offer a combination of different beans from various regions, each bringing their unique characteristics and contributing to the overall flavour profile. For example, beans from Central and South America tend to have a nutty and chocolatey taste, while beans from Africa tend to have a fruity and bright taste. The combination of these different beans results in a more complex and nuanced flavour profile than a single-origin coffee. This can provide a more dynamic and satisfying taste experience for coffee lovers as they can pick out different notes and flavours in the cup.
Consistency: Coffee blends can help ensure consistency in taste and aroma from batch to batch, as the beans are selected and blended specifically to complement one another and create a specific flavour profile. This means that each time a coffee lover purchases a specific blend, they can expect a similar taste and aroma experience. This is particularly important for coffee roasters, like us, who want to maintain a consistent product for their customers.
Experimentation: Blending coffee beans can also be a way for roasters to experiment with different flavour profiles and create unique and interesting blends. This allows them to push the boundaries of traditional coffee flavours and create something truly unique and exciting for coffee lovers to try.
Smoothness: With the combination of different beans, the coffee can have a smoother finish and less acidity than single origin coffee, making it more palatable for a wider range of coffee drinkers. This is because different beans have different acidity levels, and by blending them together, the acidity can be balanced out resulting in a smoother taste.
Versatility: Blends can be used in various ways like drip, pour over, French press, cold brew and espresso, the coffee lover can enjoy the same coffee in different ways and experiment with the taste profile. This means that coffee lovers can enjoy their favourite blend in a variety of brewing methods and discover new flavour nuances depending on the method used.
Customization: Coffee blends allow for a level of customization for both the roaster and consumer. Roasters can create unique blends tailored to specific flavour profiles and consumer preferences, while consumers can purchase blends that suit their taste preferences.
Education: Blending coffee can be an educational experience, as it allows coffee lovers to learn more about the different beans and regions that go into creating their favourite blends. This can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the coffee-making process and the flavours that can be achieved through blending different beans.
Blending coffee beans
Espresso blend profile
One suitable blend for espresso is a "Dark Roast Blend." This blend is characterized by a dark roast profile and a bold, smoky flavour. It is typically made up of a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans, with the majority being Arabica beans. The Arabica beans provide a balance of acidity and sweetness, while the Robusta beans add a strong, bold flavour and a thick crema.
A suggested mix for a Dark Roast Blend for espresso would be:
- 60% Arabica beans from Central or South America, known for their balanced acidity and sweetness, with chocolatey undertones.
- 40% Robusta beans from Africa or Asia, known for their strong, bold flavour and thick crema.
This blend is perfect for those who prefer a strong, bold espresso with a smoky, earthy flavour and a thick crema. It is also a great option for those who like to add milk to their espresso, as the strong flavour of the Robusta beans can hold up well to the added milk.
French press blend profile
A suitable blend for French press is a "Medium Roast Blend." This blend is characterized by a medium roast profile and a balanced flavour profile. It typically consists of a mix of Arabica beans, known for their balance of acidity and sweetness, with a smooth finish.
A recommended mix for a Medium Roast Blend for French press would be:
- 80% Arabica beans from Central or South America, known for their balanced acidity and sweetness, with chocolatey and fruity undertones.
- 20% Arabica beans from Africa, known for their bright and fruity flavour with a complex aroma, with a wine-like acidity.
This blend is perfect for French press because the medium roast profile allows the unique flavour characteristics of the beans to shine through, and the mix of Central and South American beans with African beans brings a balance of acidity and sweetness with a hint of fruity notes. The French press method allows a longer steep time, which helps to extract the full flavour of the beans.
Speciality roasters blends of coffee
As an artisan speciality coffee roaster, we take great care in sourcing and blending coffees to create unique and delicious blends for our customers. One of the most important aspects of blending is selecting the right beans for the desired outcome. Our coffee blends are typically composed of high-quality Arabica beans, which are known for their nuanced and complex flavour profile. However, when it comes to espresso blends, the choice of beans is slightly different.
Espresso blends require a specific balance of beans to achieve the desired flavour profile and physical characteristics. Arabica beans are commonly used for their delicate and nuanced flavours, but robusta beans are also included for their higher caffeine content, stronger flavour and ability to create a thicker crema. The ratio of Arabica to robusta beans can vary depending on the desired outcome, but typically an espresso blend will have a higher percentage of robusta beans than traditional coffee blends.
In Coffee Gems, we take great care in sourcing the highest quality beans, both Arabica and Robusta, to ensure that the blends we offer are of the highest quality. We expertly blend the beans to achieve the desired flavour profile and physical characteristics. Whether it's a traditional coffee blend or an espresso blend, we strive to create a truly exceptional cup of coffee that showcases the skill and expertise of our roasters.
Make sure to check out blended coffee vs single origin coffee!