What You Need To Know About Single Origin Coffee

You must have come across the phrase - single-origin coffee' - on many occasions. Have you been wondering why some coffees are labelled as single origin in a coffee cafe? You might have also wondered what makes such beans unique from all other types of coffee.

This article answers all of your questions about single-origin coffee and other cafe menus. Likewise, you will get to understand the importance and speciality attached to the coffee.

What is the Meaning of Single Origin, Single Estate, and Single Farm?

Single-origin is a term used for describing a coffee that has its source from either a single producer, crop, or region. Meanwhile, the terms - Single Farm and Single Estate-describe a coffee sourced from one cooperative, farm, or mill.

These terms allow you to specifically label your coffee with the name of the estate, paddock, or lot. In some cases, it might also denote if such coffee is a micro-lot.

The uniqueness of a single origin is the ability to trace the coffee's source. It helps you to find out if the coffee is a special one or a blend. The fact that such coffee is from a particular farm makes it of high quality. In some cases, the origin can influence coffee's flavour and specific characteristics unique to the place.

Why is Single Origin becoming popular?

The increasing popularity of single-origin can be traced to the increase in the number of alternative brew cafes. Many unique cafes now offer AeroPress and Pour over instead of the conventional brewing. Therefore, this reinvention in the coffee industry makes single-origin the choice for many people.

The fact that this type of coffee is traceable contributes to its popularity. Consumers are interested in the reason behind the unique sensation and taste of their coffee. Identifying that such uniqueness is attributed to a coffee from a particular source enhances their interest. Therefore, the roaster also uses it to indicate information about the farm, place, cultivator, and processing of the coffee.

Hence, single origins are becoming popular as consumers look for coffee of good quality. The quality is then determined by the innovative processing method and the transparency attached to the coffee.

The Effect of the Increased Demands of Single Origin on its Production

The coffee industry is big enough to effect a desired change in the coffee framing method. The increasing popularity of single-origin coffee increased demand.

Consequently, farmers known as speciality farmers are also evolving. Such farmers seek the planting and development of good quality single-origin coffee to meet the increased demand.

The farmers are also responsible for carrying out experiments on selected varieties of coffee. Likewise, the growth stage, harvesting techniques, and processing methods are equally examined.

What effect does direct trade have on coffee quality?

The farmers' experiments rest solely on the influence of direct trade. For the sake of high-quality coffee production, there is a mutual relationship between farmers and roasters. The roasters inform the farmers about the recent trends in the market and give details of the new single origin in demand with its producers. Other farmers can then meet with the originator to learn the planting techniques.

Visiting the bean origin gives the roaster the needed knowledge about single-origin coffee. As a result, there is no such speciality roaster without an idea of the beans farming process. The farmers, roasters, and buyers of coffee beans are always in the business of analyzing different coffees. The processing profile of each coffee is compared to aid the treading of the coffee.

The final consumers play an essential role in the direct trade. The consumers determine the acknowledgement of the superior quality of coffee. It serves as appreciation and encouragement for the farmer. The roaster will be eager to pay a fair price to the farmer since consumers appreciate his production.

How coffee quality is measured

A single-origin coffee does not necessarily mean a good coffee. Some factors are used to determine the quality of a coffee. Global systems like Coffee Quality Institute Q and Cup of Excellence carry out coffee evaluation systems. Therefore, single origin, single farm, and single estate are subjected to evaluation to determine their quality.

The Cup of Excellence competition aims to determine the quality and the production methods of coffee. It has become the most recognized evaluation in the industry. Meanwhile, the Coffee Quality Institute Q makes use of SCAA's standard for its evaluation. It evaluates the production, the Arabica category, the robusta, and the blend.

The most read evaluation is the Coffee review. Although it is less important to the retailers and roasters, it reviews the roast of coffee and can serve as a consumer buying guide. These three systems try as much as possible to evaluate coffees without being subjective to biases. They use tools like blind cupping, hundred points review system, and descriptive categories.

Meaning of single origin to a farmer

Farmers of speciality and single-origin coffee are always proud of their products. They are concerned about the result and the consumer's satisfaction. It ensures the consumer understand the profile and information behind a specific coffee. Consequently, it makes them appreciate the effort and passion the producer has put into the production.

Farmers also believe that consumers' understanding of coffee quality aids its sustainability. It serves as an encouragement for everyone involved in the coffee-making chain. The farmer is interested in the fact that the consumer can get to know and appreciate the brain behind the single-origin coffee.

Meaning of single origin to a roaster

Initially, roasters do not classify a single origin as a high-quality coffee compared to others. It was only a distinction between coffee and house blend. Nowadays, it is used in dictating and determining the quality of a coffee. Meanwhile, this judgment seems not to be fair to many coffee producers and coffee.

Some roasters believe the single origin is not wrong but an inadequate phrase because taste variations exist in different coffee-growing regions. As such, the single-origin quality judgment misinterprets the uniqueness of each region's coffee. Single-origin is expected to have a broad meaning beyond being a label for excellent coffee.

Meaning of single-origin to coffee consumers

The opinion of consumers about single-origin coffee is that it is a good coffee. However, consumers should be more concerned about the roast, country, and post-harvest processing beyond that. This knowledge aids the proper flavour navigation compared to just geography preferences. Therefore, a consumer can determine how excellent coffee is by single origin.

In choosing the best coffee in a cafe, the consumer can use two tips: the filter coffee and the espresso method. The filter coffee method features a choice between taste and stability. If you desire a reliable and consistent availability of coffee, the blend is the best choice. Otherwise, if you desire to explore various tastes, then a single origin is the best choice.

The espresso method, on the other hand, is quite similar to the coffee filter method. It takes taste and stability into consideration. It also considers the accompanying beverages. The blend is the best choice when your choice is a milk-based beverage. The single-origin can work with milk-based beverages, too but is limited to a milk-coffee ratio.

Final Note

In conclusion, this understanding of single-origin will aid your attitude towards coffee. It would be best if you were unmoved by the difference in coffee location and microclimate claims. It also helps you to inquire and give feedback about a coffee. As a result, you can appreciate the effort of roasters and farmers.