Origin
What is Origin?
When it comes to coffee, the term origin refers to the country, region, and sometimes even the specific farm where the coffee has been grown and cultivated. This geographical information provides insights into conditions that influence the coffee's characteristics.
Coffee grows between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, an area sometimes referred to as the coffee belt. Each country and region produces beans with distinct flavour profiles. Generally, beans from Central America are recognised for their fruity and well-balanced characteristics. In contrast, beans from South America typically have a medium body and mild acidity. Meanwhile, Eastern African countries are known for producing unique savoury-sweet beans that stand out from others.
Impact of Origin on Flavour
The interesting thing about coffee is that the same beans grown in different locations can have different flavours. This is because the soil, climate, and altitude - known as terroir - impart unique flavours to the coffee beans. Understanding where the coffee comes from helps
enthusiasts appreciate the diversity and complexity of their favourite brews.
As mentioned above, terroir plays a vital role in how flavour develops in coffee beans. Higher altitudes generally produce beans with brighter acidity and complex fruit notes, while lower altitudes tend to yield rounder, nuttier flavours. The composition of the soil can enhance sweetness or earthiness in the beans. Additionally, regional processing traditions—such as washed, natural, or honey methods—add another layer of distinctiveness to the coffee.
Famous Coffee-Growing Regions Found in FiXX
Although it is possible to generalise certain regions to specific flavour profiles, it is a generalisation. Each country can bring its own unique characteristics, especially when local processing practices are taken into account. Here's a list of some of the most famous coffee-producing countries and regions, along with what you might expect to find.
Brazil
Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer. It is also the 5th-largest country in the world, meaning many of its coffee farms are large-scale operations. This also means Brazilian coffees are often used as a base for blends (more on that later). Coffees lean toward chocolate, nutty, and citrus flavours with low acidity and a heavier body.
Found in: FiXX Classic, FiXX Cubano and FiXX Lisbon.
Colombia
One of the world's most renowned producers, renowned for its consistency and quality. Coffee is grown in diverse microclimates across the Andes. Generally balanced, sweet, and medium-bodied, with caramel, nut, and citrus-like acidity. Because harvest seasons vary by region, Colombia offers fresh coffee nearly year-round.
Found in: FiXX Seattle
Ethipoia
Widely regarded as coffee's birthplace, with thousands of wild coffee and unique varieties. Not only is it considered the birthplace of coffee, but it is also regarded as the cradle of humanity. Is there a connection between the two? Probably not. All I can say is my day evolves much quicker when coffee is involved. Ethiopian coffee is celebrated for its vibrant and fruity flavours, complemented by distinct floral notes. It showcases rich complexity in its taste, with a light to medium body and low acidity, which genuinely sets it apart.
Found in: FiXX Oslo and FiXX Classic
Peru
Increasingly recognised for high-quality speciality coffees. Peru's high Andes regions (like Cajamarca and Cusco) produce bright, clean, and sweet coffees, often with mild citrus and floral notes alongside chocolate undertones. Coffees are usually washed and tend to be well-balanced, making them versatile for both single-origin and blends.
Found in: FiXX Organic
Sumatra (Indonesia)
Sumatran coffees are renowned for their traditional wet-hulling process, locally referred to as Giling Basha. This method produces coffees that are earthy, herbal, and spicy, characterised by low acidity and a heavy, syrupy mouthfeel. These coffees often exhibit notes resembling chocolate and tobacco, offering a rustic depth that makes them particularly effective in blends.
Found in: FiXX Classic
Single-Origin vs. Blended Coffee
As mentioned earlier, the same variety of coffee bean, grown in different terrains, can exhibit different flavours. The farm's altitude, soil composition, the shade the plant receives during growth, and rainfall all impact the crop. Single Origin coffees can highlight the best of specific regions, shine a light on the integral role of the farmers, and showcase their skill and dedication. From season to season, from region to region, Single Origin coffees can be authentic, sometimes one-off gems.
Blended coffee allows coffee producers to meld together flavours from different regions to create something unique. FiXX Classic is an excellent example of this. We use the pronounced sweetness of a semi-washed/pulped natural coffee from Brazil, combine it with the unique spiciness of the Giling Basha-processed coffee from Sumatra, and blend all of this with a vibrant fruity coffee from Ethiopia. The result is a flavour combination that would be hard to replicate in a single origin.
There is no right or wrong answer in picking a favourite between these two options. It will always be your preference. If I were to generalise, Single Origin coffees work best as filter coffees while blends tend to make better espressos. Luckily for you, FiXX coffee always has both for you to choose from!
