Single Origin, Single Story.

Jul 14

Single Origin, Single Story: How Terroir Shapes Your Brew

At Pacific Standard Coffee Company, every bag of beans is more than just coffee — it’s a place, a season, a story. That’s the beauty of single origin. It connects you to a specific farm, climate, and soil that give each roast its distinct character. Whether it’s a bright Ethiopian heirloom or a rich, chocolatey Guatemalan lot, single origin coffee offers something rare: clarity of flavor and a sense of place in every sip.

So what exactly is single origin, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down.

What Is Single Origin Coffee?

In the simplest terms, single origin coffee comes from one geographic location — usually a single farm, co-op, or growing region. Unlike blends, which combine beans from different places to create a consistent flavor profile, single origin coffee celebrates the uniqueness of one source.

Think of it like wine: the grape, the elevation, the climate, and even the harvest season all contribute to the final flavor. With single origin beans, you get a direct taste of that terroir — no noise, no filler.

At Pacific Standard, our roasts are always small-batch and always traceable. You’ll know where your coffee came from, and what makes it special.

Terroir: The Landscape Behind the Flavor

Terroir (pronounced “ter-wahr”) is a French word often used in the wine world, but it’s just as essential in coffee. It refers to the environmental factors — like soil composition, rainfall, altitude, and sunlight — that influence the way a crop grows.

Here’s how that translates in your cup:

Ethiopia – Grown at high elevations with volcanic soil, these beans often have floral, citrusy, and tea-like notes.
Guatemala – Beans from Huehuetenango or Antigua offer deep chocolate, caramel, and spice tones due to mineral-rich soil and cool nights.
Colombia – Known for balanced acidity, silky body, and stone fruit flavors thanks to varied microclimates.

Every origin has a fingerprint. When roasted fresh, those subtle details come through clearly — layered, vibrant, and expressive.

Why Freshness Matters

Even the most beautiful bean can lose its magic if it sits too long on a shelf. Coffee is highly perishable — and those nuanced origin notes? They fade quickly once roasted.

That’s why we roast to order at Pacific Standard. You get your coffee at its peak flavor window — no warehouses, no stale blends. Just clean, fresh coffee with integrity.

How to Taste Terroir in Your Coffee

You don’t need to be a sommelier to taste the difference. Here’s a simple way to explore the story in your cup:

Start black. Skip the cream and sugar for your first few sips.
Note the aroma. Floral? Fruity? Earthy?
Pay attention to body. Is it light and tea-like or full and creamy?
Finish with the flavor. What lingers on your palate — citrus, dark chocolate, stone fruit?

The more you taste, the more you’ll notice. That’s the joy of drinking with intention.

The Bottom Line

In a world of blends and shortcuts, single origin coffee is about slowing down and savoring something real. It’s about connection — to growers, to regions, to the earth.

At Pacific Standard Coffee Company, we honor that story by sourcing thoughtfully and roasting fresh. Whether you’re just getting into specialty coffee or already fluent in flavor notes, single origin is where the journey begins.