What are Blends? And how is it different from Single Origins?
Blending coffee beans from multiple origins is almost industry standard for roasteries. A coffee blend refers to mixing different kinds of coffee beans either before or after roasting. Single origins on the other hand, are from a single area and offer a distinctive taste. Coffee blends can be made with multiple varieties and different origins; the most common type of blend, popularised during first wave coffee culture, is mixing arabica beans with robusta. this gives coffees the nuanced flavours of arabica while giving the intensity that is common to Robusta. Making a specialty third wave coffee blend though is a little more complex than making a commercial one.
The Process of Creating Specialty Coffee Blends
For a coffee blend to be considered specialty, there are a few requirements.
First off, the coffee beans used to make the blend should be 100% arabica. After that, roasters will analyse the flavour profiles of the selected origins to make sure the flavours will complement each other. This takes both experience and a lot of experimentation to find the right ratios and the right fit. The process includes a lot of trial and error.
Before roasting, Roasters and Q-graders will decide what flavour profile they are looking for – chocolatey or something fruitier? Or even funky and fermented?
Once decided, they will roast different ratios in small batches and conduct cupping sessions to find the right fit… almost like an in-house bespoke roasting session.
There are two ways you can blend the beans - After roasting or before roasting
Roasting the different origins separately to let them reach optimum flavour and then blending them in different ratios is blending after roasting.
Blending the green beans in different ratios and then roasting them together is blending before roasting. This method isn’t widely used because it doesn’t provide consistent outcomes.
We blend the coffees after roasting to make sure we can bring out the beauty of each bean with optimum roasting.
Why make blends in the first place?
Specialty coffee is known for its traceability and nuanced flavours, which is why single origin coffee is so popular and considered the mark of specialty coffee. The only issue with them is their consistency. You could follow a v60 recipe to the dot and still it may not taste the same way as when an experienced barista makes it. Single origin coffees have a very nuanced and delicate flavour profile that can change depending on external factors. Due to factors like
- climate change
- changes in soil PH,
a coffee that tasted good this year may not taste the same at the next harvest. With blends, roasters can create a balanced base profile making necessary tweaks to maintain consistency. They are more consistent and provide a reliable brew even to the most inexperienced brewers. Roasters can tailor coffee blends to specific beverages like an espresso blend or for a cold brew or even for a filter. Blends provide a specific flavour profile that can be enjoyed all year round.
Why are blends essential to roasteries?
Blends are like a signature; they are a way to put your mark on the coffee world. The origins, ratios and roasting levels are unique to the roastery and its roasters. Blends give a chance to experiment with different coffees and bring out unique flavours that cannot be found in one coffee alone. Combining various coffees can gives layers of texture and flavours, making it a great way for roasteries to show off their creativity and mastery over coffee with how well they can the coffees with each other and provide balance to the different flavour profiles. A consistent flavour profile helps customers who want an everyday kind of taste, which in-turn helps to create a loyal customer base.
Why choose blends for your home or business?
Blends offer consistency in flavour, which addresses the variability that can affect single origin coffees and appeal to customers that want something for every day. Roasters can tailor blends for different brewing methods like espresso or cold brew, ensuring reliable taste throughout the year.
Additionally, blends allow roasteries to showcase their creativity and skill while providing customers with a familiar flavour profile that can foster connection. Blends serve as a signature for roasteries, promoting experimentation and unique tastes that enhance the coffee drinking experience.
Flava Coffee’s Bespoke Roasting and Private labelling services help cafés find their signature coffee, a unique blend that speaks for their brand to their clients.
With bespoke roasting you can tailor your perfect blend, be it for your café, office or any other place of business, and with the option to white label your signature coffee to represent your brand. Let your people perceive your brand before you even talk to them.
