As a coffee lover, you must have ever heard about the trending single origin coffee. But hearing about it is just not enough. As a true coffee enthusiast, one must know the meaning behind single origin coffee. Let’s hear more about it.
Single origin coffee is a term that refers to an area from which the coffee is grown or cultivated.
Well, this term arises as people’s lifestyle grows, especially those who like coffee and want to know more about their favorite coffee in detail or want to increase their knowledge about the coffee they drink.
They argue that coffee is not just a delicious drink, but also possess a history, cultural origins of coffee, a very meaningful experience, and is even considered to have a philosophy related to people’s lives.
Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, single origin coffee is coffee grown in the same geographic origin. Certainly, they come from the same coffee plantation or it could be coffee beans collected from one region or country, for example, such as Gayo coffee, Sidikalang, Papuan coffee, and so on.
Single Origin Coffee #1: Differences in Terms and Varieties
However, don’t single origin and variety mean the same thing? Of course, they are different, both have their meaning and significance.
Many ordinary people confuse the understanding of single origin with varieties. The term single origin is used to make it easier to identify coffee, both in terms of characteristics and coffee taste.
While the variety is a classification of coffee plants that are under the type or called subspecies of the seeds planted.
But, sometimes the method of naming varieties may refer to the area where the variety was first discovered and cultivated, for example, varieties refer to regional names such as Sidikalang, which is famous for its Robusta coffee.
Single Origin Coffee #2: Many Factors to Bring Out the Unique Coffee Taste
Indeed, single-origin coffee has different tastes and characteristics when grown in different areas. Well, the factors that influence it, such as the climate of the region, the state of the soil, the level of rainfall, temperature, and others.
As a result of these factors, the taste of coffee is different, some taste fruity, taste like flowers, spices, and so on. That’s why this makes people interested in enjoying coffee based on the region where they are grown.
Difference Between Single Origin and House Blend Coffee
In addition to single origin coffee, there is also coffee that is often found in coffee shops, namely house blends. Do you think you know about house blends?
So, a house blend is a mixture or combination of several different single-origin coffees and usually, uses two or more single origins.
The goal is to create and get the desired taste. For instance, in a coffee shop, some customers don’t like characters that are too bitter but also don’t like mild and fruity flavors, so the barista will mix arabica Gayo coffee with West Java coffee to get the right taste for his customers.
Some coffee lovers do prefer single-origin coffee. For them, this is the best way to discover the characteristics and tastes of coffee. Despite there are others who don’t like the taste of single-origin coffee.
For this reason, several coffee shops do compounding and mix single-origin coffee to produce a taste that is preferred by their customers.
Well, the results of this concoction then gave birth to a name or term in the coffee world, namely house blend. Commonly, house blend coffee is a symbol that is characteristic of a particular coffee shop or product.
In history, the naming of house blend coffee is interpreted as something exclusive like house wine. Both terms are used for a concoction that becomes a superior product.
Opinions About House Blend Coffee Making, True or False?
There are two opinions regarding the making of house blend coffee, the first opinion says that the blending process is carried out before roasting. This method is believed to produce a distinctive taste at the same time.
Then the second opinion says that blending is done after the single-origin coffee roasting process. Because some people say that if you blend it after roasting it will produce a much stronger and maximum coffee taste.
Yet, each roaster has a different method and process to bring out the distinctive taste of their coffee, so both opinions cannot be said to be true.
Furthermore, the house blend coffee recipe also depends on taste and also depends on the coffee shop itself. The way to determine whether it tastes good or not is by trying and exploring the concoctions of the two single origins.
A list of Original Indonesian Single Origin Coffees, Which one is Your Favorite?
Lintong Coffee
This coffee is one of the coffees from North Sumatra which is a favorite single origin coffee for its lovers. This coffee comes from Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, and is grown around Lake Toba.
This is what makes the taste unique, like real chocolate. In addition, Lintong coffee was affected by the eruption of Mount Toba and is grown at an altitude of 1,000 masl-1,600 masl.
Malabar Coffee Or Java Preanger
One of the single origin coffees is the mainstay of various coffee shops, even single-origin coffee which is famous in Europe. Well, Malabar is the name of a mountain located in Bandung Regency, West Java.
Malabar coffee or Java Preanger has a fairly high level of viscosity and acidity. The taste is also dominant, like chocolate and spices.
Gayo Coffee
This one is planted in the Central Aceh area, precisely in the Gayo highlands. This coffee is an arabica variety which is called the best arabica variety in the world. In addition, Gayo coffee has low acidity and a significant bitter taste.
Kintamani Coffee
Furthermore, Kintamani coffee has a unique taste, namely, there is a fruity taste that is the hallmark of this coffee. Kintamani coffee comes from the Bali region which is grown on fertile soil.
Wamena Coffee
This coffee comes from eastern Indonesia, which is from Wamena, Papua. This coffee has a fragrant taste with an organic type of coffee, so it produces a mild taste and tends to be free of dregs. In addition, Wamena coffee is grown at 1,600 masl in the interior of Papua’s forests.
Toraja Coffee
Furthermore, one of the two varieties of coffee is grown in Toraja, Sulawesi. In terms of taste, this coffee has a thick earthy taste due to the nutrients in the place where the coffee is grown which affects the taste.
Bajawa Flores Coffee
Well, if this one comes from Flores Island, Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The area is also flanked by two volcanoes which make the soil fertile when planted with coffee trees and also, this volcanic soil greatly influences the taste of Bajawa coffee.
The smell is similar to honey, this coffee has become famous in various countries, even America and Europe, really like the taste of this coffee.
Sidikalang Coffee
Finally, one of the coffees originating from North Sumatra is even called coffee that can compete with Brazilian coffee. By having a smoother and more bitter texture, many coffee lovers equate the quality of its taste with Brazilian coffee. However, for taste, Sidikalang coffee has its taste.
So, that’s the information about single-origin coffee, from what it means to the types of single-origin coffee in Indonesia. You as a coffee lover, of course, must know what is the meaning of single origin coffee, don’t just enjoy it.