What Does Single Origin Mean?

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Single Origin means the coffee comes from a single source — one country, one region, or one farm. Unlike a blend, Single Origin showcases the character of a specific terroir. The term "Single Origin" sounds precise but is actually elastic. At its broadest, it means the coffee in the bag comes from one country. At its narrowest: from a single plot on a single farm, harvested on a specific day. Between these extremes lies a wide spectrum. In the specialty coffee world, a hierarchy has emerged. "Single Origin" without further detail usually means a country or region — for example, "Ethiopia, Yirgacheffe." That's more informative than a blend but still fairly broad. "Single Estate" or "Single Farm" means the coffee comes from a named farm. "Microlot" goes further still: a small batch from a specific plot, separately harvested and processed. The value of Single Origin lies in traceability and flavour. When you know that a coffee was grown at Finca El Paraíso in Colombia at 1,850 metres and anaerobically fermented, you can understand and reproduce the flavour. With a blend of five countries, that transparency is impossible. That said, Single Origin isn't automatically "better" than a blend. A well-composed blend can be more balanced than an individual coffee — especially for espresso, where body, sweetness, and acidity need to harmonise. Many specialty roasters therefore offer both: Single Origins for filter, blends for espresso. At our café on Sophienstraße 27 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, you'll find both: house blends and Single Origins, for espresso and for filter, as a drink and as beans to take home. You'll find us at Sophienstraße 27 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, Monday to Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 10am–5pm.

What Does Single Origin Mean?

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In practice at Green Wall Coffee

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