Specialty Coffee Beans & How to Choose Yours

Specialty Coffee Beans & How to Choose Yours

If you are into coffee, I’m sure you’ve come across the term speciality coffee. It means that it’s the highest grade of coffee available, looking at the whole supply chain. Let’s look at some different options for speciality coffee and how to choose yours.

• Single Origin | Price: ££

Single-origin refers to the coffee beans that come from a specific geographic region. Typically a single region but usually different farms or estates within that region.

This term differentiates the unique flavours and characteristics of each coffee, which are influenced by the specific climate, soil, altitude, and cultivation practices of the area where the beans are grown.

Single-origin coffees are prized for their distinct and often complex flavour profiles, which can vary greatly from one country to another.

Coffee enthusiasts appreciate single-origin coffees for their transparency and the ability to trace the beans back to their source, fostering a connection with the farmers and their communities. These coffees are often roasted to highlight the inherent flavours of the beans, allowing you to savour the nuances of each region. Single-origin coffee has become a hallmark of the speciality coffee movement, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and a deeper appreciation of the coffee’s origin and terroir.

Why choose single-origin beans?

If you’re just starting out in buying speciality coffee, then single origin could be perfect for you. They are more affordable than single plantation and if you find one you like you’ll most likely be able to buy it year-round.

You will also find a wide range of roast profiles, from dark to light because single-origin beans tend to be able to offer more flexibility during the roasting process.

When buying single-origin, you’re also supporting a select few farms within the region where the beans are grown.

• Single Plantation | Price: £££

Single plantation coffee, also known as single estate coffee, is a subset of speciality coffee that takes the concept of single origin to an even more specific level.

It refers to coffee beans that are exclusively sourced from a particular farm or plantation, highlighting the uniqueness of that specific location.

These beans are cultivated, harvested, and processed within the boundaries of a single estate, ensuring a high degree of control over the entire production process.

Single-plantation coffee offers a profound connection to a specific piece of land, where again factors such as the soil, climate, altitude, and farming practices contribute to the distinct flavours and qualities of the coffee.

It also often comes with a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, as it is easier to trace the origins and practices of the coffee back to a single source. This level of transparency and unique taste profile makes single plantation coffee highly sought after by those who value the origin story and quality of their coffee.

Why choose Single Plantation?

The level of precision with farming single-plantation coffee allows connoisseurs to explore the nuances of a particular farm’s terroir and experience the full spectrum of flavours that can be attributed to that specific location.

So, if you’re a seasoned coffee drinker and keen to explore different coffees from around the world, then look no further than Single-Plantation.

The price of Single Plantation, while not the highest of all coffees, does come with a higher price tag than single origin.

• Espresso Blends | Price : ££

Espresso blend coffee is a carefully crafted combination of coffee beans from different origins and with specific characteristics, blended to achieve a well-balanced and flavourful shot of espresso.

Unlike single-origin or single-plantation coffees, which highlight the unique flavours of a specific region or farm, espresso blends are meticulously designed to create a harmonious flavour profile.

Espresso blends typically consist of a mix of coffee beans, each contributing specific attributes. For example, one type may provide a rich body, while another offers a bright acidity, and another imparts a sweet or nutty note. The art of creating an espresso blend lies in the roaster’s expertise in selecting and combining beans to achieve a consistent taste, crema, and mouthfeel that align with the desired flavour profile.

Espresso blends are popular in cafés and households because they provide a reliable and balanced shot of espresso, which is the foundation for many espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. These blends are designed to ensure a consistent and enjoyable coffee experience, making them a go-to choice for those who appreciate a well-rounded espresso shot.

Why choose Espresso Blends?

These type of beans are best if you have an espresso machine at home.

• Exclusive Beans | Price : £££££

The exclusivity and high cost of certain coffees stem from their rare origins, meticulous cultivation, limited production, and unique flavours. Factors like limited harvests, specific geographic conditions, and labour-intensive processes contribute to their premium pricing, making them sought after by coffee aficionados willing to invest in exceptional coffee experiences.

A good example of an exclusive coffee would be Jamaican Blue Mountain. Normally costing around £200 per kilo. Wow!

Why choose Exclusive?

I’ll be honest, the only reason to buy these beans is if you have money to burn.

• Green Beans | Price : ££

Green coffee beans are unroasted coffee seeds collected from coffee plants. They remain green and unroasted. These beans retain the coffee’s natural flavours and compounds, which are released during roasting, producing the aromatic and flavoursome coffee we enjoy.

Why choose green beans?

This is by far the best way to get super-fresh coffee at home. Be warned though, it’s not easy to get the roasting levels right. That’s why there are specialist coffee roasters who have been doing it for years. That said, if you want a bit of fun and fancy yourself as a coffee roaster, then try roasting your own green beans. You can usually find green beans available at a reasonable price from coffee specialist websites.

Guest Article.