What is Single Origin Coffee?

“Single origin” refers to coffee originating from one region, crop, or producer within a country.

Blends are a mixture of coffee beans from different areas throughout the world that are processed together in the same batch. Sometimes they come from different regions within the same geographic location or from completely separate regions around the world. Most coffee roasters will combine 2-4 different coffees to create a blend. The main goal for blending is to create consistent and unique flavors, but sometimes blending results in low-grade coffee beans. Low grade coffee beans will not generate great natural flavors due to the fact that they are blended together, or even worse, mixed with flavored coffee. We will discuss this inferior process later.

The cost for blends tends to be less expensive compared to single origin coffee because single origin beans are exclusive. Coffee drinkers have to remember that coffee is a commodity and therefore subject to supply and demand. If a Brazilian coffee costs less than a Guatemalan batch, but we want to create a Guatemalan flavor we may use some Brazilian beans to offset cost. Then, we can use a neighboring coffee from El Salvador to supplement the Guatemalan coffee flavor.  Mixing single origin beans is not easy though. If you don’t mix correctly the coffee beans will produce an unpleasant flavor. Single origin can be scarce depending on the geographic area too. Luckily, in areas like  Brazil, Colombia, and Sumatra beans can usually be found year round.

As a coffee roaster there are a lot of tasks outside of the roasting process. We also have to be thinking several months ahead for the next coffee crop or next customer. Making sure we have plenty of coffee from a specific single origin for the next crop cycle can also be difficult. Banyan Coffee Company embraces these challenges because the reward is a truly great cup of coffee. Blended coffee can be easily recreated with consistency year-round which gives coffee roasters an easier job that can be done with minimal effort. Part of the reason why we got into roasting coffee was the lack of single origin coffee available in the Sarasota and Bradenton area. As a local coffee roaster, we want to provide our region of Florida with coffee that is in its purest form.

“Literally ordered this like an hour ago. It was already delivered to my doorstep.”

SAMANTHA, BRADENTON, FLORIDA

“My new morning coffee subscription delivered to my door. Thank you, Banyan Coffee”

ELIZABETH, BRADENTON, FLORIDA

Single origin is also the preferred method for allowing transparency and traceability in coffee. When you’re drinking your cup of Banyan coffee, you’ll know exactly where the coffee came from. We provide information about our coffee and the farmers who grow the coffee beans. Recent popularity of single origin coffee has given farmers the chance to experiment by modifying varieties of seeds and refining their processing and milling techniques. The popularity of specialty coffee redefined direct trade from farmer to roaster.  Banyan coffee does blend coffee on occasion but mainly for espresso coffee. Our “TreeTop Flyer” espresso is a blend of great body and smoothness. From time to time we will do a flavored coffee for a seasonal offer or a special occasion. We will be doing a bourbon aged coffee in the near future. Even coffee connoisseurs enjoy a great blended coffee now and then. There is no crime in this. Drink what you enjoy!

Most blends have numerous flavor notes mixed together making it hard to appreciate any one note. Single origin coffee focuses on a few flavor notes. Certain regions focus on specific flavors that are distinguished to that area.  Countries like Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Indonesia (Java & Sumatra) generally have lower acidity.  On the flipside in African countries like Congo, Ethiopia and Kenya tend to have high acidity but a mouthful of juicy, fruity flavors. Indonesian (Java/Sumatra) coffees have a more earthy and heavy body of flavor. The Central American coffees (Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras) generally carry a sweet and nutty flavor. South American (Colombia, Brazil, and Peru) create nutty, chocolate, and caramel notes. These generalized flavors by geographic region can help decide where we may try our next coffee. Single origin coffee flavors are influenced by several factors such as variety, elevation, mill process, location, soil, and weather.

Single Origin coffee’s natural flavors vs Flavored Coffee

Flavored coffee is almost always created with low-grade coffee beans. You’ve likely heard the question “Why would you put ketchup on a perfectly cooked steak?” Another question quickly arises when discussing flavored coffee: Why would a coffee roaster use specialty coffee to then add flavoring to it? This completely defeats the purpose and you will never taste the quality of the bean from an overpowering flavor enhancer. It’s also a contributor to keeping farmers poor because the buyer is trying to get the bottom price for coffee beans. This creates an unsustainable situation for coffee farmers long-term, therefore they will farm other crops or find new work entirely. Flavored coffee isn’t good for the farmer or the consumer as well. Most flavored coffee has additive flavoring that can contain propylene glycol or other synthetic chemicals. If you were to use a pure organic vanilla flavor it would be much healthier. But try finding a snickerdoodle or toasted marshmallow that’s both sweetened naturally and inexpensive…good luck! If you really like your coffee flavored try to look for one that is solvent-free and perhaps organic coffee. Better yet, if you drink your coffee with some creamer (dairy or non- dairy), then use an organic flavored creamer. You won’t jeopardize the coffee bean quality or your health.  During the holiday season we will do a rare, flavored coffee from an essential oil extraction. But this is as far as Banyan Coffee Co. will go when it comes to flavored coffee.

Remember, in the long run you get what you pay for. The same thing applies not only to things like fast food but in the coffee industry too. Knowing where your coffee comes from has an impact on tractability and sustainability for the farmer. If you just need your daily coffee fix then again, enjoy what you like. But if you want something pure, hand crafted locally, and without overpowering flavor enhancers then give Banyan Coffee Company a try. We carry a variety of different coffees with unique flavors. We make life easy with our coffee subscription box that’s available on a monthly or bi-weekly basis.  Our coffee is freshly roasted to order, so you can enjoy the vibrant flavors that our specialty coffee offers. Check out our online store or one of our retail locations to purchase specialty coffee. We also wholesale our coffee to churches, restaurants, cafe, coffee shops, and office settings. If you have any questions please email us banyancoffeeroasters@gmail.com or follow us on our social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) to stay up-to-date on our coffee roasting.

“I’m still getting into the world of coffee so I’ll admit I still drink flavored coffees buttttttt I have a new appreciation for whole bean unflavored coffee. This is @banyan_coffee_co Sumatra blend. It is right up my alley, I’m not into super acidic coffee and this is low acidity and has a great earthy, roasty flavor 😍 It’s actually the first coffee that I’ve drank black and enjoyed it! I highly recommend trying their stuff if you’re looking for a new blend!”

BECK , MADISON, WISCONSIN