Do coffee origins really impact flavor?
When it comes to coffee flavor, many people assume that the origin of the beans—whether they’re from Ethiopia, Colombia, or Brazil—is the main determinant of taste. While the origin plays an important role, it is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly understand what shapes a coffee’s flavor profile, we need to consider other factors like terroir, varietal, and growing and processing methods.
Terroir: The Coffee's Environment
Much like wine, the concept of terroir in coffee refers to the environmental factors that affect the beans' flavor, such as altitude, rainfall, soil type, and climate. For example, beans grown at higher altitudes tend to develop more complex flavors, including vibrant acidity and fruity notes, due to the cooler temperatures and slower maturation process. At Liberty Coffee‘s plots in the El Fenix farm in Colombia, we have 1,000 trees of different rare varietals, and we can assure you they all taste different.
Varietal: The Coffee's Genetic Blueprint
Coffee varietals -the specific subspecies of the coffee plant - can drastically affect flavor. For instance, gesha beans are known for their floral and citrusy qualities, while typica varieties often yield chocolatey, nutty flavors. Bourbon, caturra and other varietals exhibit a wide range of characteristics depending on growing conditions and processing. And of course, the roasting profile the coffee roaster chooses to apply also affects the end result.
The genetic makeup of the coffee plant dictates the flavors it is capable of producing, with certain varietals better suited to specific climates or processing methods.
Growing and Processing Methodologies
How coffee is grown and processed also shapes its flavor. Natural processing, where beans are dried with the cherry still attached, often results in a fruity, fermented taste. In contrast, washed processing can yield cleaner, more acidic flavors with bright citrus notes. The handling of the coffee after harvest is just as crucial as the origin.
Liberty Coffee believes in balance, whether you’ve chosen a fruity or nutty flavor option. That’s the philosophy guiding our roasting profiles and our coffee selection. Check it out in our webshop.