A Roaster’s Handbook for Concocting Custom Coffee Blends

Every roaster should be an expert in coffee blends, but this is especially true for those who run coffee shops and want to upgrade their coffee offerings.

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Although coming up with new coffee blends is never simple, everything is achievable with the correct guidance. It will also be necessary for you to know which coffees to blend and how to roast beans with varying densities, types, and origins.

Why Blend?

Most roasters will be encouraged to attempt blending at least once. Because consumers want a flavor profile that is reliable and steady throughout the year, most roasters make blends to meet this requirement. Making your own mix can also motivate you to improve the definition of your brand and attract repeat business. The three main goals of blending are to cut expenses, offer a dependable cup profile, and produce distinctive, trademark coffees. For major commercial roasters that want to enhance their coffee’s body and flavor while also improving uniformity, blending makes sense.

Combining several coffee blends highlights the unique characteristics and flavor profiles of your coffee business while also giving your menu more depth and balance. Although it is hard to become an excellent coffee blender overnight, you may become one very quickly with the correct knowledge and tools.

Who Is Able to Rent Commercial Coffee Makers?

Only well-established businesses are eligible for leases, therefore you must have been in business for at least three years and have a strong credit history. Unless you are a director’s guarantor, you run the chance of being refused if your credit score is low.

While outright purchases of commercial coffee machines are not tax deductible, leasing of such machines is. A shorter lease has the benefit of earlier lease termination or the opportunity to extend the lease, but it also has higher monthly payments. Renting a coffee maker is similar to buying one, but you get to test it out first, which is particularly helpful for new coffee businesses that are unsure of how popular coffee would be with their patrons.

Selecting Proper Coffee Beans

To make the ideal mix, selecting the appropriate coffee beans is crucial. It may make a world of difference to appreciate the small differences between, say, a fruity and bright Kenyan coffee and a nutty, somewhat acidic Columbian coffee. Robusta and Arabica coffee beans are the two most popular varieties. Arabica coffee, which is produced in Ethiopia and Kenya, has a strong flavor and makes up more than 70% of all coffee drinks. Robusta coffee is mostly grown in Asia and is used to make blended coffees like Java and Kona. It has a more acidic and harsh flavor.

Using one type of coffee bean as the foundation, which will make up half of your mix, is a smart choice. You should then select a second coffee bean that goes well with the first. Ethiopian coffee’s blueberry flavors would go perfectly with a chocolate-flavored Brazilian coffee bean. Select a pair so that the flavors of the two will not try to overshadow each other. For example, a Nicaraguan coffee with a tobacco flavor would dominate your Ethiopian coffee, rendering any attempt to combine the two useless.

When choosing a coffee, there are several things to take into account, such as processing, altitude, variety, origin, and area. The flavor profiles, acidity levels, and fragrances of the coffee will be determined by these parameters. Select Arabica beans if you want a bright, acidic, and well-balanced cup of coffee. Select a variety of Robusta beans if you’re looking for a coffee with a strong flavor profile that highlights the distinctive flavors of a certain origin.

How Much Should You Blend in Coffee?

It is advised that you prepare no more than five cups of coffee per mix. Every coffee ought to constitute a minimum of 8% of the finished product. You grind 17g of coffee, or more than a hundred coffee beans, to produce espresso.

Larger batches of coffee can be brewed. It’s crucial to consider the blend’s intended use and serving method during brewing.

How to Select Blends or Component Coffees

The finished result should reflect your personal preferences and be unique. The following factors are crucial when selecting your coffee mix. Understanding your preferred flavors and how well they complement one another is useful. To assist you choose wisely among the coffees you use in your blends, you may accomplish this by listing their places of origin.

A sweet foundation note: You’ll need to start noticing browning flavors in your coffee. Try coffee beans from Brazil, Peru, or Mexico if you want a very sweet cup of coffee.

Satisfaction in the middle of the palate: This region needs something rich and tart, with flavors reminiscent of apples, peaches, or stone fruits. You could wish to think about a coffee from Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Colombia.

High notes: These originate from light-roasted coffee varieties that take on flowery and citrus notes when roasted, such as Kenyan or Ethiopian coffee beans.

How to Choose the Right Blend Ratio

To begin, use 20% high notes, 40% mid-palate notes, and 40% sweet base notes. Throughout the procedure, gradually adjust these ratios until your desired flavor profile is achieved. It could be beneficial to roast the individual coffee beans in tiny batches, brew them together, and then blend the liquid coffee in various ratios, such as 40:40:20, 30:30:40, or 60:20:20.