You’ve just started searching around for the first bag of single-origin coffee you’re going to buy, and it turns out there are a seemingly endless number of options to go for. Where should you start? How do you know which coffee origin is the right one for you?
Here at KOTA, we know that it can seem a little bit daunting to leap into single-origin coffee purchasing. With a higher price point than blends, it’s understandable that you might be a bit more reluctant to go out on a whim and buy a bag of coffee that might not be to your palette. Buying coffee online is the most accessible way to order coffee to your brew bar, but it comes at the cost of the fact you cannot try the coffee before it’s purchased.
First and foremost, the fortunate thing about buying coffee from a roastery is that you’re almost certainly going to be directed to the coffees taste with flavour notes. These are usually three or four key flavours that the beans will have when brewed correctly. Not only are these a great tool for deciding which coffee to buy based upon taste preferences, but they're actually an ideal marker for helping you track how your brewing is going. If you aren't getting the notes on the bag when you brew, it’s an indicator that something in your process isn't quite right… that's when troubleshooting can begin!
But you can start to learn to expect certain characteristics from certain origins. Today, we’re going to embark on a quest across the globe to uncover some of the distinct flavours, aromas, and stories that make each coffee-producing region unique in the coffee world. Join us as we take you on a virtual expedition to explore the captivating world of single-origin coffees.
Ethiopia: The Birthplace of Coffee
Our journey begins in the highlands of Ethiopia. Why start here? Well, it is here that the first native coffee plants were found. Ethiophia is therefore often considered the birthplace of coffee. Sip an Ethiopian coffee and expect to find the characteristics of a classic African origin - bright and bold flavours in the cup due to high acidity. You can expect lots of fruity and floral notes.
Colombia:
Next, we ascend to Colombia, where rich volcanic soil and ideal altitude work together to produce stand-out flavours. Origins from here produce fruity notes which are quite often described as ‘jammy’ due to their intense, prominent sweetness. This is due to their balanced acidity.
Some of our favourite Colombian origins can be found here:
Costa Rica:
Our journey then takes us to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Costa Rican beans offer a taste of "Pura Vida" (read more on that here) with their bright acidity and notes of fruit. It's a bright taste that embodies the joyous spirit of the region.
Brazil:
Our journey now takes us to Brazil, a nation that many people quickly associate with coffee. So many coffee shop blends use a Brazilian coffee as their base – it provides a really ‘classic coffee’ taste with flavour notes of nuts and chocolate.
Mexico:
A region that fewer people look out for as a 'go-to', Mexican coffee benefits greatly from the humidity of the region to produce depth in its origins. Expect a balance of the classic nutty and chocolately flavours you might find in a Brazilian coffee, with the citrus punch of other South American regions.
Conclusion
As you embark on your own tasting journey, remember that every sip carries not only the flavours of a region but also the dedication of the farmers who nurture these beans. At our speciality coffee roastery, we're honoured to share these stories and flavours with you, celebrating the diverse and incredible world of single-origin coffees.
So, grab your favorite mug, brew a cup of your chosen single-origin, and let the journey unfold with each sip. Cheers to the wonders of coffee and the cultures it embodies!
