The global coffee consumption grows steadily every year. As coffee requires a specific climate to grow, the supply is usually lower compared to the growing demand. Furthermore, a growing number of coffee enthusiasts prefer to purchase sustainable coffee that is harvested with nature in mind. Every coffee region has its specifics and characteristics. That’s why some of the best coffee roasters in the US and other brands in the coffee niche market combine different types of coffee in order to mitigate the problems of certain coffee beans and make the final result better. Coffee blending is usually done by roasters and coffee wholesale distributors. In this article, we’ll share more about coffee blending and roasting.
Key takeaway: The majority of coffee beans sold are not of a single origin. In fact, coffee blends are a preferred option for many as they combine the characteristics of different coffee regions.
What Is Coffee Blending
Coffee blending is the process of combining two or more coffee bean varieties in order to change the flavor profile of the beverage. Almost all coffee brands on the market are blended. Single-origin coffee beans are an exception and they are often seen among some types of specialty coffee.
Why Is Coffee Blended?
There are multiple benefits of blending coffee beans. One of them is that this makes the beverage more complex in terms of flavor. Skillful coffee specialists know the weaknesses of different types of coffee and how they can be mitigated thanks to coffee blending.
Getting a lower cost of goods sold is yet another reason why coffee types are often mixed. Thanks to blending, businesses can combine high-quality coffee with cheaper beans. The result can still be excellent as sometimes the cheaper coffee beans can amplify the characteristics of the premium grade.
Base and Accent Coffee
When combining two or more types, the base coffee serves as a foundation in the blend. It’s usually well-rounded coffee with a balanced body that makes up the majority of the blend. The accent coffee is used to introduce certain flavor profiles such as floral notes or fruity acidity. Professionals often use high-grade beans as accent coffee. Even though their quantity is smaller compared to the base coffee, they add distinct flavors and complexity.
Single-Origin Blends
There are two types of blends based on the origin of the beans – single and multi-origin blends. The former refers to the usage of beans from the same region but from different farms or lots. The latter means coffee blending between beans from different parts of the world.
Steps in the Coffee Blending Process
- Beans selection – choosing what coffees to combine. They often have complementary flavors.
- Proportioning – the ratio of the base and the accent coffee is important as it can determine the final price of the product and the characteristics of the coffee blend.
- Roasting – blending is usually done after roasting but some blends can be roasted together.
- Tasting – after the beans are roasted, the coffee needs to be tested.
- Adjustments – sometimes the proportions need to be adjusted if the coffee is too blunt or it doesn’t meet the desired profile.
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Popular Coffee Blends
Coffee distribution companies offer a wide variety of coffee bean blends. In fact, most coffee shops and roasters make their own coffee blending combinations. Some blends are suitable for certain brewing methods like the espresso blend while others can be a great option for seasonal coffee drinks. Here are some popular coffee blends.
- Espresso blends. If the coffee is labeled as an espresso blend, that means it’s most suitable for an espresso machine. These blends are usually medium to dark roasted and can combine coffee beans from all regions of the world.
- Light roast blends. They are brown in color and are rich in flavor. These coffee blending combinations usually have bright flavors and crisp acidity. It’s no surprise that most specialty coffees are light to medium roast. That highlights their characteristics and unique features.
- Mocha Java blends. They combine coffee beans from Indonesia and Yemen. The result is great flavor and characteristics.
- Breakfast coffee blends. Most people associate coffee with the start of their day. That’s why it’s no wonder that there are various breakfast coffee blends. They are smooth and balanced with a great flavor profile. The roast level of these coffees is medium, but some roasters and distributors might offer light or medium-dark roasts.
Roasting of Coffee Blends
Pre-Roast Blending
The technique of blending coffee beans before they are roasted is called pre-roast blending. In most cases, this coffee blending technique is used as it enhances integration between the flavors of different coffee types. Keep in mind that different coffee beans might come in different sizes and grades. Therefore, they might require different times to roast to a certain level.
Post-Roast Blending
This coffee blending approach is preferred when you experiment with different types of coffee. With post-roast blending, the coffee beans are roasted separately and combined afterward. This allows roastmasters to taste the individual coffee types and then decide how to blend them together. Post-roast coffee blending gives better control as different coffee types can be roasted to different levels.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Blending
Whether you wish to know about the latest coffee trends or innovations in the field of coffee marketing, you will find various tips and useful information in our blog. BlueCart is also a preferred coffee distribution tool for many local roasters and coffee shops that sell products at wholesale prices.
Is Blended Coffee Better than Single-Origin Coffee?
Both blended coffee and single-origin coffee have their pros and cons. In the field of specialty coffee, single-origin is a preferred option. That’s because these coffee beans have their distinct characteristics such as aroma and flavor. This helps the drinker discover the result of the specific region and climate where the coffee was harvested. When we consider lower coffee grades like premium and exchange, coffee blending might be a better option. Thanks to coffee blending, certain negative aspects of coffee beans can be improved by blending them with other coffee.
Is Coffee Roasting a Good Business?
Yes. Coffee roasting can be a profitable business. The profit margins in this field are good as the demand often exceeds the supply. Specialty coffee, one of the hot trends in the beverage industry, often comes at a high price and coffee enthusiasts are willing to pay more for exotic coffee beans that are rare. Selling wholesale coffee beans has the lowest profit margin but the revenue is much higher compared to selling retail. Local roasters usually make better profits compared to coffee shops. That’s because these businesses require a large investment in coffee shop inventory. An additional benefit of becoming a business owner in this sector is that there are multiple ways to scale this business.
What Are the 4 Main Types of Coffee?
Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica are the four main types of coffee beans. They all have distinct characteristics and profiles.
- Arabica. They are the most popular varieties of coffee beans. Arabica beans are considered of high quality and makeup about 60% of the global coffee market.
- Robusta. This is the second most popular type of coffee beans. Robusta beans have higher caffeine content but they are considered of lower quality compared to Arabica beans.
- Liberica. They are far less popular compared to Arabica and Robusta. These beans are much larger in size and are primarily grown in the Philippines and Malaysia. In recent years, experts have re-classified Excelsa as a member of the Liberica family.