Single-origin coffee is coffee grown within a single known geographic origin.
Single-origins can offer unique characteristics and specific tastes compared to blended coffees from multiple origins.[1] Coffee shops can market single-origin coffees specifically to add symbolic value to the coffee by highlighting the producer or the coffee's unique origin.[2] Consumers of specialty coffee are often attracted to single-origin coffee for the transparency it often attempts to convey.[3]
There are no universal rules or governing bodies enforcing the labeling of coffee. However, there are governmental bodies in some countries that regulate the coffee market, for example in Brazil.[4]
While it is still difficult to accurately authenticate a coffee's origin, recent genomic research indicates that it is possible to identify a DNA fingerprint of coffee trees.[5] This technique may eventually allow buyers of un-roasted, green coffee, to authenticate a single-origin coffee. This would improve the transparency and traceability of coffee.
Terminology
editSingle-origin coffees may come from a single farm, multiple farms from the same country, or just a blend of the coffees grown from that country.[6][7] It could also mean an entire country which produces a comprehensive variety of beans, such as Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam.[8]
Estate coffees are a specific type of single-origin coffee. They are generally grown on one massive farm, ranging in size from a few acres to large plantations occupying many square miles or a collection of farms that all process their coffee at the same mill.[9] Many countries in South and Central America have estate coffee farms, countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico, have many estate farms. Starbucks owns a large majority of coffee farms in the Philippines, combining many small farms to form one giant cooperative farm.
Micro-lot or small-lot coffees are another type of specific single-origin coffee from a single field on a farm, a small range of altitude, and a particular day of harvest.[10] Many micro-lots are used for growing specialty coffee, which is some of the highest quality coffee offered on the market, which can range in prices.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "The Ultimate Guide to Single Origin Coffee: Buying, Brewing, and More". Roasty Coffee. 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ Fischer, Edward F (2019-10-09). "Quality and inequality: creating value worlds with Third Wave coffee". Socio-Economic Review. 19 (1): 111–131. doi:10.1093/ser/mwz044. eISSN 1475-147X. hdl:21.11116/0000-0005-82A6-C. ISSN 1475-1461. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ Grind, Perfect Daily (2015-09-14). "Everything You Need to Know About Single Origin Coffees". Perfect Daily Grind. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- ^ "Single Origin Coffee – Everything You Need to Know". Ispirare | Coffee & Espresso Reviews. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
- ^ Pruvot-Woehl, Solène; Krishnan, Sarada; Solano, William; Schilling, Tim; Toniutti, Lucile; Bertrand, Benoit; Montagnon, Christophe (2020-04-01). "Authentication of Coffea arabica Varieties through DNA Fingerprinting and its Significance for the Coffee Sector". Journal of AOAC International. 103 (2): 325–334. doi:10.1093/jaocint/qsz003. eISSN 1944-7922. ISSN 1060-3271. PMID 33241280. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
- ^ Marion, Darrin (2017-02-15). "What is Single Origin Coffee". Darrin's Coffee Company. Darrin's Coffee Company. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
- ^ "Coffee Language: Non-European Names". Coffee Review. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ Mowery, Lauren. "Here's Why Single Origin Coffee Is More Expensive But Worth Your Dollars". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- ^ "Coffee Language: Farm, Mill, and Estate Names". Coffee Review. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ Butler, Nickolas (2007-09-01). "The Trouble With Micro-Lots?". Roast Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-29.