Blend vs Single origins: what's the difference?

Blends or single origins? what's the difference, and why it matters.

Blend or single origin? If you've ever stood in front of a coffee shelf wondering what those labels actually mean, you're not alone. At Atomic, we love both — but we also believe that understanding the difference helps you get more out of every cup.

Whether you're dialling in an espresso at home or brewing a morning batch, here's what sets blends and single origins apart — and why both have their place in your coffee routine.

what is a single origin coffee?

Put simply, a single origin coffee comes from one specific place — a single country, region, farm, or even a micro-lot within a farm.

Think of it like wine from a particular vineyard: the soil, altitude, climate, and processing method all shape how it tastes. One Kenyan coffee might taste like blackcurrant and grapefruit, while another from Guatemala leans toward chocolate and toffee. The flavour isn't built — it's discovered.

At Atomic, we source single origins that are vibrant, traceable, and seasonal. They're a way to showcase a moment in time, from a specific place, in your cup.

WHY WE LOVE SINGLE ORIGINS

Single origins are the deep cuts. They show off what makes each coffee-growing region special — from the bright, floral notes of Ethiopian coffees to the syrupy sweetness of Colombian naturals.

They're ideal for filter brewing or adventurous espresso drinkers who want to taste the full spectrum of a coffee’s personality. They can be surprising, complex, and often a little wild — in the best way.

And because they're tied to harvest seasons, they come and go throughout the year. So when they’re gone, they’re gone — which makes them a little more special.

WHAT IS A COFFEE BLEND?

A blend is made by combining beans from two or more origins to create a specific flavour profile.

Blending gives us the ability to design a cup that’s balanced, consistent, and hits certain flavour notes — like dark chocolate, stone fruit, or roasted hazelnut. It's less about showcasing the character of one origin and more about building a flavour experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts, and that will punch through milk while still being balanced.

You’ll often see blends used for espresso — where body, sweetness, and reliability are key. Because espresso extraction used high amounts of pressure, it accentuates the flavours and characteristics of the coffee. Building a blend allows roasters to ensure your espresso is consistently smooth and rounded.

why we love blends

Blends are your go-to. Built for balance, body, and consistency — they're the backbone of most espresso bars (including ours).

At Atomic, we spend a lot of time dialling in our blends to make sure they’re smooth, sweet, and reliable. We design them to work beautifully with milk, but with enough complexity to be enjoyed black.

Whether it's your first coffee of the day or your tenth flat white of the week, blends are the comfort zone you can keep coming back to.