Those who enjoy coffee normally own coffee makers. These same enthusiasts also regularly purchase coffee from their nearby retail or grocery stores. One thing that is a bit confusing to many is the concept of single origin coffee. Even some self-appointed coffee experts who frequent the retail shops are often in the dark about this question. Perhaps Americans especially, since many of us grew up knowing only instant coffee, are especially apt to wonder about the true meaning of the term, "single origin coffee." The answer is neither esoteric nor complicated.
Technically, when coffee is mixed with beans from other regions, then it cannot be called single origin. Varietals are another matter. Since coffee can be grown on a large number of plants, so-called varietal coffees come from a single type of plant. Some of the more common plants are the bourbon, typica and mocha. Those who own coffee makers are often looking for specific varietal coffees, because such coffee has a unique flavor. Even non-experts can normally tell the difference between a single origin coffee and a blend. Single origin coffee tends to have a distinctive flavor, readily identifiable to even an untrained palate.
The business of coffee is big business indeed. About 20 million people are employed in the industry worldwide, on a combined land space equal to more than 25 million acres. That's a lot of beans. In many cases, specific areas are considered the cream of the crop when it comes to flavor, and are in high demand by retailers and wholesalers around the globe. The big coffee brokers, who themselves trade tons of the stuff every day, can see the flow of orders coming in from all corners of the earth.
And, like wine experts, coffee drinkers can be exceedingly particular. Just look at the explosion of coffee shops in America, most of which occurred in the last two decades. Back in the 1950's, coffee shops were social gathering places where the drink was least important. Nowadays, it's all about the coffee. Go into any shop and you'll find lone patrons, glued to their laptops, sipping away on their specialty brew. More often than not, at least recently, that brew is single origin coffee, or perhaps an expensive varietal from the highest areas of the Peruvian plains.
While certain mixtures are popular one year, they may not be in demand the next. That is because coffee tastes of consumers vary from year to year, just like dress fashions. In just a short time span, single origin coffee has become very popular, and looks to remain so for a while at least!
Technically, when coffee is mixed with beans from other regions, then it cannot be called single origin. Varietals are another matter. Since coffee can be grown on a large number of plants, so-called varietal coffees come from a single type of plant. Some of the more common plants are the bourbon, typica and mocha. Those who own coffee makers are often looking for specific varietal coffees, because such coffee has a unique flavor. Even non-experts can normally tell the difference between a single origin coffee and a blend. Single origin coffee tends to have a distinctive flavor, readily identifiable to even an untrained palate.
The business of coffee is big business indeed. About 20 million people are employed in the industry worldwide, on a combined land space equal to more than 25 million acres. That's a lot of beans. In many cases, specific areas are considered the cream of the crop when it comes to flavor, and are in high demand by retailers and wholesalers around the globe. The big coffee brokers, who themselves trade tons of the stuff every day, can see the flow of orders coming in from all corners of the earth.
And, like wine experts, coffee drinkers can be exceedingly particular. Just look at the explosion of coffee shops in America, most of which occurred in the last two decades. Back in the 1950's, coffee shops were social gathering places where the drink was least important. Nowadays, it's all about the coffee. Go into any shop and you'll find lone patrons, glued to their laptops, sipping away on their specialty brew. More often than not, at least recently, that brew is single origin coffee, or perhaps an expensive varietal from the highest areas of the Peruvian plains.
While certain mixtures are popular one year, they may not be in demand the next. That is because coffee tastes of consumers vary from year to year, just like dress fashions. In just a short time span, single origin coffee has become very popular, and looks to remain so for a while at least!
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For more information about coffee and where to find the best blends from the best coffee markers around, visit ChronosCoffee.com.