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Pure origin or blend: everything you need to know about coffee beans

Coffee beans are powerful and very generous in aroma. Moreover, it allows the flavours of the coffee beans to be preserved for longer. Coffee beans are divided into two main categories: pure origin coffee beans and blended coffee beans.

But how do you differentiate between these two types of coffee? How does the terroir play a determining role in the elaboration of coffee beans? What is the nature of the roaster's intervention in the elaboration of coffee beans intended for blending? While you enjoy your cup of coffee or espresso, we suggest you discover all the particularities of coffee beans.

 

 

Discovering pure origin coffee beans

Coffee is obtained from the seeds of a plant: the coffee tree. There are different species of coffee trees, the two best known being Arabica and Robusta. A coffee bean pure origin is a coffee that has not been mixed. It is therefore produced from a single species of coffee tree from the same geographical area.

Arabica and Robusta coffee: the difference between the two most famous pure-origin coffee beans

Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee are the two most sold coffee species in the world. They are also the ones used for the preparation of blended coffee beans. These two coffees are differentiated by different elements, such as :

  • their mode of cultivation;
  • their aromas ;
  • their caffeine content;
  • their countries of culture;
  • etc.

Arabica, or Coffea arabica, is the most produced type of coffee in the world, with over 65%. It has a lower caffeine content than robusta. Its taste is therefore milder and its aromas more developed. Among all the existing Arabica coffees, there are well-known varieties, such as mocha, bourbon, typica, etc.

Robusta, or Coffea canephora, contains twice as much caffeine as Arabica, around 3%. Its taste is therefore strong, bitter and full-bodied. Moreover, the robusta is a very resistant species of coffee trees. It is therefore cultivated in countries and geographical areas where Arabica cannot be.

The importance of terroir for pure origin coffee beans

In addition to these initial differences, pure origin coffee beans are grown on a terroir. The origin of the coffee beans therefore plays a considerable role in the final taste of the coffee. As a rule, coffee is grown all over the tropical belt, from America to Asia via Africa:

  • Ivory Coast;
  • Uganda;
  • Gulf of Guinea;
  • Madagascar ;
  • Gabon ;
  • Cameroon;
  • Ethiopia;
  • Peru;
  • Panama;
  • Tanzania;
  • Colombia;
  • Brazil;
  • India;
  • Reunion;
  • etc.

Throughout the world, each producing country has its own particularities. They may concern the nature of the soil, the exposure of the plots to the sun, the climate or the humidity level. All these characteristics determine a terroir. A pure origin coffee, such as pure Arabica coffee or pure Robusta coffee, is a coffee from a single terroir.

Grown on the slopes of a volcano, in the Andes Mountains or on plateaus over 2,000 meters above sea level, the coffee beans are imbued with a terroir. An Arabica coffee produced in Ethiopia and an Arabica coffee produced in Peru are two coffees from the same species of coffee. However, they will not present the same flavors when tasted.

Reveal the aromatic power of a pure coffee bean

Before tasting a pure coffee bean, it is necessary to grind it. The simplest method is to use a coffee grinder. The coffee beans are then transformed into ground coffee. However, before grinding the coffee beans, first determine the grind you need. Depending on your machine, you may need a coarse or fine grind.

Then, the pure coffee bean is transformed into a tasty drink when it comes into contact with water in an espresso machine, a filter coffee maker or an Italian coffee maker. For this, you will need to use a certain dosage of ground coffee and water. It is this combination of quality products and precise gestures that allows you to enjoy an unforgettable pure bean coffee.

 

Presentation of blended coffee beans, also called blended coffee

Blended coffee is a coffee made of different varieties of coffee in order to create a unique taste. It is therefore a blend of several coffees, selected for their complementary notes or original flavors. The blend is sold in bean, it must be ground with a mill before being tasted.

The determining role of the roaster in the production of blended coffee beans

The blends are made by passionate roasters. It is a true art that gives birth to unique and remarkable coffees. A roaster is therefore able to select the coffee beans according to :

  • their origin ;
  • their density ;
  • their aromas ;
  • their flavors;
  • etc.

The roaster selects coffee beans according to their specificities, but also according to the expected result. The blend is a well-balanced coffee that presents a beautiful and complex aromatic palette. Each blend is unique and offers a real journey to the tasting, thanks to notes of chocolate, notes of nuts, aromas of red fruits, etc. All the emotions can be tasted in a cup of blended coffee beans:

  • coolness;
  • smoothness;
  • gluttony;
  • SOFTNESS;
  • roundness;
  • etc.

Depending on the coffee beans selected, blending occurs before roasting or after roasting the coffee beans. Only the roaster knows the ideal proportions for successful blends. Arabica and Robusta are used to create blended coffee beans.

The roaster plays on the terroirs to offer original and tasty blends. In Africa, America or Asia, he knows the particularities of each of his partner plantations. Like an orchestra conductor, he composes a score with gourmet notes, round and full of freshness. He thus reveals the power of each coffee bean.

Our tips for choosing a blended coffee bean

Many roasters create coffee beans for blending. So, to make your choice and benefit from a quality coffee, we recommend you follow two tips.

First, choose a roaster that advocates transparency and respect for people and the environment. This way, you will be guaranteed to buy organic and sustainable blends at the best price and made from biodynamically grown coffee trees. To create good coffee at the best price, it is important to follow each step of the coffee growing process, such as :

    • the level of soil quality;
    • the cultivation and harvesting of coffee beans;
    • fermentation and drying of coffee ;
    • roasting of coffee beans;
  • etc.

Secondly, select your blended coffee beans according to your coffee machine. There are different types of machines for grinding and extraction:

  • manual coffee grinder ;
  • automatic coffee grinder ;
  • piston coffee maker ;
  • filter coffee maker ;
  • Italian coffee maker ;
  • espresso machine ;
  • etc.

Some blends are designed for certain types of machines. So, to enjoy your favorite drink, choose a quality product adapted to your machine. This will give you the perfect grind for your extraction.

To conclude, roasted coffee beans are part of the products of everyday consumption. But each little bean is also a real treasure that the know-how of a roaster is able to reveal. From the soil to the cup, a long process is necessary to transform the coffee bean into a grind and then into a delicious drink.

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