Single Origin, Blends, Estates, And Lots

A bag that says Ethiopia, Colombia, India, Kenya, or Brazil gives you a starting point, but countries contain many climates, varieties, producers, and processing styles.

More specific information, such as region, farm, producer, altitude, variety, and process, gives you a better clue.

Single origin coffees often preserve a clearer identity. A washed Ethiopian coffee might be floral and citrusy. A natural Colombian coffee might be berry-like and heavier.

That clarity can be exciting, but it can also be less forgiving. Delicate coffees reveal brewing mistakes quickly.

Roasters blend to create a repeatable flavor. They might combine one coffee for sweetness, another for body, and another for acidity.

For espresso, a blend can be easier to dial in because it is designed to taste balanced under pressure and often works well with milk.