Single Origin vs. Blend: Which Coffee Is Right for You?
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When you shop for coffee, you'll see two big families: single origins and blends. Neither is better than the other. They're simply made for different moments and different tastes.
What is a single-origin coffee?
A single-origin coffee comes from one place: one country, and often one region or group of farms. Because it isn't mixed with anything else, it shows off the flavors of where it was grown. That's why single origins can taste so different from one another, for example:
- Ethiopia Natural: milk chocolate, fruit and caramel
- Kenya: bright and lively, with orange, lemon and floral notes
- Colombia: dried orange, berry and chocolate
- Sumatra: a syrupy body with dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy notes
Choose a single origin if you like discovering new flavors, you enjoy your coffee black, or you brew with pour-over or a French press, where those differences really shine.
What is a blend?
A blend combines coffees from more than one origin. Roasters blend to create a balanced, dependable cup, often with a rounder body and fewer surprises. For example:
- Breakfast Blend: a smooth, easy-drinking medium roast for every day
- Cowboy Blend: dark and medium roasts together, with cocoa, caramel and vanilla tones
- 6 Bean Blend: a dark-roast blend that's especially good for espresso
Choose a blend if you want the same comforting cup every morning, you add milk or cream, or you make espresso and milk drinks.
Still not sure?
Try both! Our sample packs let you taste several coffees side by side, and every bag is roasted to order and ships free in the U.S.