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Single Origin Basics

Also known as Varietals

Single Origin coffee usually comes from one single country or region within that country

The Major Regions

• Americas: Hawaii, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaraguan, Panama, El Salvador
• Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Indonesian: Sumatra, Java, Celebes, Papa New Guinea, Timor, India
• Caribbean: Jamaica, Dominican

Characteristics

Every country produces beans with their own characteristics and flavor. Here is a list of just a few.

• Brazil: Nutty with low acid
• Colombia: Heavy body and rich flavor
• Costa Rica: Tangy mild and sweet, full body
• Jamaica: Mild and smooth, light body, sweet
• Hawaii: Mild and sweet with winy tones
• Ethiopian Harrar: Winy and berrylike, good body
• Kenya: Bright acidity, potent sweetness
• Sumatra: Earthy and smooth, low acidity, full body
• Mexico: Light body, nutty with overtones of chocolate. Best if you like your coffee black
• Guatemala: Smokey, spicy, flowery with bright acidity
• El Salvador: Subdued acidity, soft, fragrant, med. body
• Nicaragua: Moderate acidity, fragrant, complex, nut and vanilla bouquet
• Puerto Rica: Full body with moderate acidity
• New Guinea: Mild with low acidity
• Yeman: Good acidity, chocolate undertones, full body
• Tanzanian: Winy acidity, full body, deep richness
• Celebes: Low acidity
• Java: High acidity, light body
• Aged Java: Low acidity and sweet

Fair Trade Coffee

Because of Fair Trade, farmers receive prices adequate to cover cost and make a profit for their coffee, regardless of the price level of the market. Fair Trade coffee's are sold at a guaranteed floor price. Fair Trade helps growers improve their economic condition, while providing incentives to improve the quality of the coffee they grow.

Certified Organic Coffee's

To become certified, farms must operate for at least three years without using synthetic chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Farmers must also maintain detailed records of their farming methods. Farms are inspected annually to ensure that these conditions are met.