Blending coffee is an art form. It takes a lot of skill and knowledge to combine the different flavours of individual beans together to create something special and unique that your customers will love.
Whether you want to create a specific blend for a signature coffee, need a unique flavour to wow customers, or are simply interested in finding out more about coffee blending – you’ll find some basic tips and advice in this beginners guide.
Why blend?
It’s a fact that different coffee beans have different flavours, with climate, soil conditions and processing methods all having a huge impact on the flavour of the finished beans.
From the deep, earthiness of Sumatran beans and sweet Columbian coffees, to the heavy fruitiness of Ethiopian beans and the bold, tart acidity of a quality Kenyan – there are a huge number of different flavours found in coffee.
By combining different beans in different quantities, we can create a unique blend of these different flavours, incorporating the different characteristics of each coffee into a single cup. Done right, a blend can produce a coffee that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Flavour basics – tried and tested blends
Before you start blending, it’s important that you can identify some of the key flavour characteristics of different coffees. Testing and comparing some single estate coffees is the best place to begin. Then, it’s a good idea to create a few tried and tested combinations, so you can see how flavours work together.
The Mocha Java is a great recipe for beginners. Made with a combination of Yemen Mocha or Etheopian Harrar (1/3) and Java/Sumatra Mandheling (2/3), it’s a timeless classic. The Mocha is sharp and fruity, and complements the smooth, deep richness of the Java, creating a coffee that has the characteristics of both.
You’ll also want to experiment with different roast levels. Light-roasting and dark-roasting bring out different characteristics, so combining the two can create coffees that combine the qualities. As a starting point, Colombian beans work really well in a half and half blend.
Getting creative with purposeful blends
Once you’ve developed a bit of understanding about how different flavours complement each other, it’s time to get creative.
One of the best ways to create your own blend is to start with a coffee you already like. Think about what might improve it (does it need to be richer, sweeter, fruitier..?), then work on developing it through the addition of other varieties.
Don’t be scared to experiment. Blending is an art form, and there are no hard and fast rules – it’s about creating a coffee that you like. Having said that, there are loads of recipes online for blends, and tips about what kinds of bean go together, so feel free to look to others for inspiration.
Keep track of your progress, and make sure you record the recipe for all of your blends, and you’ll have created a unique, signature coffee that your customers will love in no time!
