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Single-origin vs blended coffee beans

Single origin coffee is sourced from a specific geographic region, such as a specific farm, region, or country. These beans are typically grown in specific regions within Central or South America, Africa, and Asia.

single-origin-vs-blended-espresso-beans

Single origin coffee typically has a distinct flavor profile that is unique to its specific location, while blended coffee is a mix of flavors from different regions.

Some people prefer the complexity and balance of flavor that blending can offer, while others prefer the distinct taste of a single origin bean.

What is single origin coffee?

Single origin coffee is coffee that comes from a single location, such as a specific farm, region, or country. This type of coffee is prized for its unique flavor characteristics, which are influenced by the soil, climate, and other factors of the place where the coffee is grown.

100-percent-Arabica-coffee-beans.jpg

Single origin coffee is often considered to be of higher quality than blends, which are made by mixing beans from different locations.

Many coffee aficionados enjoy trying different single origin coffees to compare and contrast their flavors.

Here is our favorite single-origin coffee bean:

illy-single-origin-Arabica-beans

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What is blended coffee?

Blended coffee is a type of coffee that is made by mixing beans from different locations, rather than using coffee from a single source. The idea behind blending is to create a final product with a consistent flavor profile and specific characteristics.

Blending can be used to create a coffee with a specific flavor profile or to balance out the flavors of the individual beans. Some people prefer blended coffee because it offers a consistent flavor, while others prefer single origin coffee for its unique flavor characteristics.

Here is or favorite blended coffee bean:

Lavazza-blended-espresso-beans

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Single Origin vs. Blended Coffee

Single origin coffee is coffee that comes from a single location, such as a specific farm, region, or country. This type of coffee is prized for its unique flavor characteristics, which are influenced by the soil, climate, and other factors of the place where the coffee is grown. Single origin coffee is often considered to be of higher quality than blends, which are made by mixing beans from different locations.

Blended coffee, on the other hand, is made by mixing beans from different locations. The idea behind blending is to create a final product with a consistent flavor profile and specific characteristics. Blending can be used to create a coffee with a specific flavor profile or to balance out the flavors of the individual beans.

Some people prefer blended coffee because it offers a consistent flavor, while others prefer single origin coffee for its unique flavor characteristics.

You might also like to read: How to choose the best coffee beans

Final Thoughts

When choosing between single origin coffee and blended coffee, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Single origin coffee is made from beans grown in one specific location and will have a distinct flavor profile unique to that region. It is often used to showcase the unique characteristics of a specific type of bean.

On the other hand, blended coffee is a mix of beans from multiple origins which creates a unique combination of flavors. Some people prefer the complexity and balance of flavor that blending can offer, while others prefer the distinct taste of a single origin bean. Try both and see which one you prefer or experiment with different blends to find your perfect cup of coffee.

FAQ’s

Q1: Is Arabica coffee “single origin”?

Arabica coffee is a type of coffee that is grown in many different locations around the world. Arabica coffee beans are considered to be of higher quality than the other major type of coffee beans, known as Robusta. Because Arabica coffee is grown in many different locations, it is not necessarily “single origin” coffee.

Single origin coffee, as the name suggests, comes from a single location. This could be a specific farm, region, or country. Single origin coffee is prized for its unique flavor characteristics, which are influenced by the soil, climate, and other factors of the place where the coffee is grown. If Arabica coffee is grown at a single farm, region, or country, then it could be considered single origin coffee. However, if the beans are sourced from multiple locations, then it would not be considered single origin.

Q2: Why is single origin coffee more expensive than blended?

Single origin coffee is often more expensive than blended coffee for a few reasons. First, single origin coffee is typically of higher quality than blended coffee. This is because the beans are sourced from a single location, rather than being mixed with beans from other locations. As a result, single origin coffee has unique flavor characteristics that are influenced by the soil, climate, and other factors of the place where the coffee is grown.

Another reason why single origin coffee is often more expensive is because it is often produced in smaller quantities than blended coffee. Single origin coffee is typically produced by smaller, specialty coffee companies, which have a limited supply of beans from a specific location. This means that the supply of single origin coffee is often smaller than the supply of blended coffee, which can drive up the price.

Finally, single origin coffee is often more expensive because it is considered to be a premium product. Many coffee aficionados are willing to pay a higher price for the unique flavor and quality of single origin coffee. In contrast, blended coffee is often considered to be more of a mass-market product, and is therefore priced accordingly.

Q3: Does single origin coffee have any health benefits?

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that single origin coffee has any specific health benefits compared to blended coffee. However, coffee in general has been shown to have some potential health benefits when consumed in moderation.

Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can help to improve mental alertness and physical performance. It can also help to boost the metabolism and increase fat burning, which may aid in weight loss.

Coffee also contains antioxidants, which are compounds that can help to protect the body against damage from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can cause damage to cells in the body, and they have been linked to a number of chronic diseases. Antioxidants can help to neutralize free radicals and protect the body against their harmful effects.

While single origin coffee may not have any specific health benefits compared to blended coffee, both types of coffee can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. As always, it’s important to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

You might also like to read: Health benefits of coffee

Q4: Examples of single origin coffees

Colombian coffee: Colombia is known for producing high-quality Arabica coffee beans with a well-balanced flavor profile. Colombian coffee is often described as having a nutty or chocolatey flavor with a mild acidity.

Kenyan coffee: Kenyan coffee is known for its bright and fruity flavors, with notes of berries and citrus. The coffee is grown at high altitudes in the fertile volcanic soils of Kenya’s Central and Western regions.

Brazilian coffee: Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world, and its coffee is known for its smooth, well-balanced flavor. Brazilian coffee is often described as having a nutty or chocolatey flavor, with a medium to low acidity.

Ethiopian coffee: Ethiopian coffee is known for its complex, floral flavors and aromas. The coffee is grown in the highlands of Ethiopia, where it is hand-picked and processed using traditional methods. Ethiopian coffee is often described as having a fruity flavor with hints of berries and citrus.

Guatemalan coffee: Guatemalan coffee is grown in the highlands of Guatemala, where the fertile volcanic soils and warm, humid climate provide ideal growing conditions. Guatemalan coffee is known for its rich, chocolatey flavor and smooth body.

You might also like to read: Tips for brewing a perfect cup of espresso at home

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Tips for brewing a perfect cup of espresso at home

There are some simple things you can do both to learn to brew the perfect cup of espresso and to avoid some critical errors that can derail your espresso brewing.

A quick review of how espresso is made illustrates the importance of these tips for brewing perfect espresso.

espresso-brewing-tips
Image credit: Creative Commons

Espresso is made by forcing hot but not boiling water through finely ground coffee. This is done at fairly high pressure as coffee beans for espresso is ground quite finely. The coffee is tamped into a “puck”. The finer the grind of the coffee, the more time and pressure it takes to push water through it.

Your goal should be that the water for either a single shot or a double shot be forced through the puck in 25 to 30 seconds. If it takes more, your grind is too fine. If it takes less time, your grind is too course. A single shot (1.5 ounces of water pushed through 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds) should take the same time as a double shot (3 ounces of water pushed through 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds).

Having the right equipment to brew espresso is key to a perfect cup of espresso

You will need:

Brewing the perfect cup of espresso: this process will vary somewhat depending on the features of your espresso machine and whether it is manual, semi-automatic, or super automatic.

  • For the perfect cup of espresso, it is best to preheat everything by running the first cycle without coffee. This will heat the porta filter and warm your cup with hot water
  • put the appropriate amount of ground coffee in your porta filter and lock the portafilter in place
  • start the pump (if you must do this manually) and then stop pumping when you reach 1.5 or 3.0 ounces, depending on whether you are making a single or a double
  • during the extraction cycle, the coffee will start off being very dark and will gradually change to a lighter, gold color (“Crema”) near the end of the cycle

Key tips for brewing the perfect cup of espresso:

  1. make sure everything is clean when you start, especially the portafilter
  2. preheat your equipment as mentioned above
  3. use filtered or distilled water
  4. grind the beans immediately before you use them
  5. extraction time should be 25 to 30 seconds (change the grind if this is not true)
  6. remember, 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds for a single shot or 2 tablespoons for a double shot
  7. tamp the coffee into the portafilter
  8. lock the porta filter into the brew head (clean off any coffee grounds that with interfere with a tight seal)
  9. Use the appropriate button for a single shot or a double shot of espresso
how-to-brew-a-perfect-cup-of-espresso
Image credit: Creative Commons

You might also like to read: What is single-origin coffee beans?

Top mistakes to avoid as a new home barista:

  1. Using coffee that is not fresh—get to know a local coffee roaster
  2. Not using a scale (Eyeballing things) — use a scale to weigh the coffee you’ve tamped into your portafilter
  3. Inconsistent tamping—consistency makes your experience repeatable cup after cup
  4. Using bad water—use filtered or distilled water both for taste and to reduce espresso machine maintenance
  5. Improper cleaning—make sure you clean everything as directed
  6. Using low-fat milk—the fat is essential to taste and texture of your drinks
  7. Not following your recipe (again, repeatability is the goal)
  8. Not having your machine “up to temperature”—purge the cold water in your machine before brewing.
  9. Be ready to enjoy and try new things!
You might also like to read: Cleaning And Caring For Your Espresso Machine

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Coffee and Your Health

I woke up this morning to the headlines that yet another study had been done of coffee to see whether it was actually healthy or unhealthy to have our daily cup. Since we drink coffee ubiquitously, there is also been a continuing desire by scientists to study and understand the effects of drinking coffee on our bodies. This study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

coffee-and-your-health
Image credit: shutterstock.com

Fortunately for those of us who are coffee aficionados, studies increasingly have been showing that drinking coffee regularly may have a positive effect on delaying premature death. Over the past five years, multiple studies have shown that regular consumption of coffee is associated with us on average, living longer.

The classic study to report on the health benefits of coffee was published in 2012 in the New England Journal of Medicine and was titled “Association of Coffee Drinking with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality”. That study examined the association of coffee drinking with subsequent total and cause specific mortality among a very large population of 229,119 men and 173,141 women from the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study who were 50 to 71 years of age at baseline.

Although there have been many subsequent studies regarding the consumption of coffee and health, we really haven’t done much about saying what kind of coffee are we consuming. Is it weak coffee? Or is that a hearty espresso? If we put sugar in our coffee does that cancel out all health effects? How about artificial sweeteners?

An article published today in the annals of internal medicine concluded from analysis of a very large British database that people who drink one and ½ to 3 ½ cups of coffee per day were 29% to 31% less likely to die from any cause during the seven-year study period. And that result did not seem to change whether people consume their coffee black or sweetened it with a small amount of sugar. The data for this study represented more than one half million participants in the UK Biobank.

This study found the data linking consumption of coffee whether unsweetened or sweetened with sugar to be directly associated with reduced mortality. The results were not so clear with respect to artificial sweeteners as the data as to which subjects use which artificial sweeteners was less clear.

The conclusion of the study was, “moderate consumption of unsweetened and sugar sweetened coffee is associated with lower risk for death.”

Not so very long ago, coffee was considered a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization. By 2016 coffee research found that the beverage was not associated with an increased risk of cancer. In fact, statistically coffee was found to decrease the risk of certain cancers. Nonetheless, in 2018 California passed legislation that coffee must bear a cancer warning.

Caffeine has long been suspected of being the active compound that would make coffee good or bad for one’s health, but the truth is that coffee is chemically very complex and is difficult to tell whether the effects observed are from the caffeine or from other chemicals in the beans.

Coffee and cancer

It appears that coffee may affect how cancers develop. Here the results might be primarily good for coffee (and for us). Some of the polyphenols (there are over 8000 polyphenols which are micronutrients that naturally occur in plants) in coffee have been shown to prevent cancer cell growth in animal studies. Caffeine itself may have the power of interfering with the growth of cancer cells and subsequent spread.

Coffee also appears to reduce inflammation and improve antioxidant response which is not only a risk factor for many cancers, inflammation is known to have other deleterious effects on the body. The American Institute for Cancer Research concluded that the risk for endometrial and liver cancers might be reduced in regular coffee drinkers.

Type II diabetes

In seemingly contradictory results, we know that caffeine can increase blood sugar in the short term but longer-term studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers have a measurably lower risk of developing type II diabetes compared to nondrinkers. One large-scale meta-study of people with type II diabetes followed for a period of 20 years showed that the more coffee a person had to drink per day was directly associated with lowering the risk of developing type II diabetes. The effect ranged up to 33% reduction for drinkers of 6 cups of coffee a day. The same result has been found in other studies.

Heart health

Caffeine is a stimulant which affects the central nervous system. As such, the medical community worried that it might be bad for heart health. In fact, available evidence suggests that drinking coffee regularly may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Analysis of the large Nurses Health Study database showed those drinking four or more cups of coffee each day were associated with a 20% lower risk of stroke as compared with non-coffee drinkers. Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee also reduced the incidence of strokes by 11%. The consumption of other caffeinated drinks had no such effect, so it is reasonable to conclude that the results are from other compounds in coffee rather than caffeine.

Looking at the data for a large number of women (37,514) concluded a 21% risk of heart disease was associated with drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day. Similarly, meta-analysis of studies of both men and women found a favorable link of a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular disease death among coffee drinkers as compared to nondrinkers.

Depression

Polyphenols, which occur naturally in coffee, can act as antioxidants reducing inflammation of cells. Large-scale studies have shown coffee drinkers are less likely to become depressed than nondrinkers. In fact, the risk of suicide in men was found to be 45% lower for those who drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee daily and 53% lower among those who drank four or more cups daily. Data analysis suggests the result may be from the caffeine in coffee, so decaffeinated coffee does not have the same result.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Studies have shown the consumption of coffee reduces the probability of developing Parkinson’s disease. It is thought this may be caused by the caffeine in coffee tending to protect cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Here are the results seem to suggest the more coffee you drink the better. A Finnish study found the greatest benefit for those who drink at least 10 cups of coffee per day!!!

Alzheimer’s disease

There have been a limited number of studies of the effects of coffee consumption on the probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Because of the small number of studies, scientists have been reluctant to draw strong conclusions. One study (CAIDE studying cardiovascular risk factors in aging and dementia) suggested that those drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day in middle age was associated with a significantly decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Mortality

Consistent with other studies, a large study of more than 200,000 participants for up to 30 years found that drinking large amounts of coffee appeared to lower the risk of early death from all causes by 15%. These results seem to be consistent across caffeinated decaffeinated and instant coffees.

The bottom line

There is a growing body of evidence from studies of the effects of drinking coffee to suggest that coffee might be beneficial with its associated reduced risk for several chronic diseases. In particular, data suggests that coffee may be beneficial for cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

So drink up!

You might also like to read: Single-origin vs blended coffee beans.

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Cold Brew and Iced Coffee: What’s the difference?

The warmer months whet the appetite for cold coffee beverages. Iced coffee and cold brew both can provide a refreshing caffeinated drink. There is sometimes confusion between iced coffee and cold brew coffee. There is a difference between iced coffee and cold brew coffee.

Iced coffee is coffee that is brewed in the “normal” way, using hot water and then subsequently cooled with ice. It is typically served sweetened and possibly with other flavorings.

ice-coffee

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping ground coffee beans in room temperature or colder water. As you might imagine, this requires a longer brew time (perhaps over-night or even longer) and results in a smoother taste.

cold-brew

Is cold brew healthier than ice coffee?

There is increasing evidence that coffee in general is good for your health as it includes beneficial antioxidants. Since cold brew coffee typically tastes smoother, it is more often consumed black—without potentially harmful sugar, etc.

However, there is some concern that cold brewing is less efficient at extracting antioxidants from coffee beans, which might provide a marginal health benefit to hot brewed coffees. But the differences are likely small.

Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?

Does cold-brew coffee have more caffeine? Typically, cold brewed coffee is brewed with more coffee (vs. water) than hot brewed coffee, so you start with a stronger coffee drink. However, caffeine is water soluble, and hot water will generally be more efficient at extracting the caffeine. The amount of caffeine in your drink is dependent on how you brewed it, the amount of coffee used, and any dilution before consumption.

How long does cold-brew coffee last in the refrigerator?

Since typically cold brew coffee is concentrated, it may be readily stored for later use. Unlike hot brew coffee, cold brew coffee can last 10 to 15 days in the refrigerator.

Can I make cold brew using a French Press?

Here’s an easy recipe for great cold brew coffee made with a French Press:

  • Put ground coffee into a French press and add room-temperature water.
  • Place plunger lid on top and press the plunger down only 1-2 inches to fully submerge the coffee.
  • Do not press the plunger all the way down.
  • Let coffee steep at room temperature for 16 to 18 hours.
  • Pour the coffee through a coffee filter and transfer to an airtight container in your refrigerator.
  • Serve in a glass over ice with equal parts of milk or water.

Want to make coffeehouse cold brew at home?

Do you want the convenience of cold brew that tastes like it came from your favorite coffee house but only takes minutes to make rather than hours or days? You might consider:

Cuisinart DCB-10 Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker

Cuisinart-DCB-10-Automatic-Cold-Brew-Coffeemaker

View Product on Amazon.com

This Cuisinart machine can produce delicious, smooth, and less acidic cold brew coffee in 25-45 minutes (depending on desired strength). A push of a button can cold-brew up to 7 cups of triple-filtered coffee with your choice of 3 strengths.

Traditional cold brewing methods take 12-48 hours to make delicious cold brew coffee. Now you can enjoy your triple-filtered, sediment-free coffeehouse cold brew in minutes.

The carafe can be used to store your cold brew coffee up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Clean-up is a breeze, as all removable parts are dishwasher safe.

Includes Limited 3-year warranty.

Note that this fine machine produces cold brew that is ready to drink but does not produce concentrate.

How to make bulk cold brew coffee?

  • Start with the coffee-1 pound coarse grind.
  • Place ground coffee in a 3-4-quart open container.
  • Add 1 quart of water and stir enough to wet all the grounds. Then add another quart of water.
  • Let steep for 24 hours.
  • Strain into another container with a wire mesh filter and then filter again using a paper coffee filter.

Now you have about ½ gallon of cold brew concentrate.

You can adjust quantities to fit your needs.

Types of cold-brew coffee

Once you have your cold brew concentrate, what do you do with it? There are many options. Most commonly, the concentrate is either mixed with cold water or with milk in equal quantities. Mixing with milk makes for a richer drink, but it is enjoyable both ways.

  • Some drinkers use the concentrate mixed with hot water to make a warm drink.
  • Cold brew concentrate also can serve as the base for many other beverages.
  • For example, New Orleans Style cold brew coffee calls for mixing ground chicory with the ground coffee for steeping. This beverage is finished by combining the coffee-chicory brew with generous quantities of milk and sweetener.
  • You can also try a cold brew martini for a little extra kick.

Nitro cold brew?

Infusing cold brew coffee with nitrogen is a relatively recent invention. The nitrogen gas (“nitro”) introduces many very small bubbles into the coffee, which give it a smoother, less bitter taste and a smooth mouthfeel. The nitro gives the drink a foamy top.

Nitro-Cold-Brew-in-Glass

Nitro cold brew has been around for about 10 years and really gained notoriety when Starbucks began offering it in 1500 stores in 2016.

There are now pre-made canned nitro beverages and home machine that allow infusion of nitrogen by the home cold-brew maker.

What do you need to make cold brew coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made with only three ingredients: coarsely ground coffee beans, cold or room temperature water, and time. You can make a better tasting cup of cold brew coffee at home quite easily following one of our recipes above. Of course, you will need to plan ahead because of the need to steep the coffee for at least 25 minutes with an automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker, and 12-24 hours without one, to extract the flavors.

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