Coffee Bean Blends

Mixing coffee beans harvested from different areas is the most common way of creating a coffee bean blend. By mixing beans, the best qualities of different coffee beans and different regions of the world fuse to create unique coffee flavor profiles. Here we answer a few basic questions about coffee bean blends to help you refine your coffee experience and enhance your enjoyment of all types of coffee.

What Are Coffee Bean Blends?

Blended coffees are made from a mixture of coffee beans sourced from different parts of the coffee-growing world. Beans are harvested from different varieties of coffee plants in different coffee-growing regions and blended prior to shipment to coffee roasters or by the roasters themselves. Blended coffees are known for their consistency and smoothness and are a popular choice among coffee roasters and coffee drinkers nationwide.

Some blended coffees use the same type of beans grown in different regions, while others are mixtures of beans harvested from different coffee plants, such as a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Many coffee drinkers believe coffee blends offer smooth and well-balanced flavors and enjoy how blends are typically available year round Coffee bean blends tend to be roasted darker and work well in traditional espresso drinks and with supplements, such as milk and sugar.

What Is the Difference Between Coffee Blends and Single-Origin Coffee?

Single-origin coffees originate from beans of a single plant variety harvested on local plantations or small farms in a specific region of the world. Blended coffees use a mixture of beans, usually from different plant types and from different regions, to create specific coffee flavors. Coffee blends typically provide a consistent coffee flavor profile and are available year-round, and single-origin blends tend to be more unique and stronger in flavor and are only available seasonally.

Single-origin coffees preserve the flavor profile connected to a certain region. For example, Ethiopian single-origin coffees, made from Arabica beans, might be found to be more aromatic and less fruity than comparable Kenyan single-origin coffees, also made from Arabica beans.

In some ways, single-origin coffee is a purer coffee taste experience because you can taste the exact nuances of a region, but some coffee drinkers prefer a more rounded and consistent taste of a blended coffee. Neither type is better than the other. Both single-origin and blended coffees can be brewed all different ways and taste good with or without supplements like milk or sugar. It’s truly up to your own personal taste!

What Are the Benefits of Coffee Bean Blends?

Blended coffees offer a balanced coffee flavor profile in a dependable, versatile, and predictable taste experience. Blended coffee beans are often roasted darker and are commonly used in espresso-based preparations, such as lattes and cappuccinos, and also with or without supplements like milk and sugar. Most blends are created to feature the best qualities of the various beans and coffee production regions of the world, but keep in mind that the type of coffee beans is only one part of the equation. Coffee roast levels, grinding, and brewing methods have a strong influence on any coffee taste.

How Do I Choose a Coffee Blend?

Taste is a personal preference, and there are lots of coffees to choose from. Finding your ideal coffee blend can take some time. Sample a few coffee blends to get started and note any details on the bag as to which coffees are blended together and the roaster’s suggested tasting notes. You’ll start to notice common denominators in origins, roast profiles, or tasting notes you like. Continue tasting and experimenting to hone in your palette. Great taste is truly in the hands of the taster!