I always thought single-origin beans were just marketing hype
For years I bought the big bag of generic dark roast from the grocery store. Then my buddy dragged me to a cupping at a local roastery in Portland, and we tried a Colombian bean next to a blend. The difference was honestly huge - the single-origin had this clean berry taste that the blend just didn't have. Has anyone else had a moment where a specific origin changed your mind about something?
Read an article that broke down how altitude and soil really change the flavor profile of beans from different regions. The volcanic soil in certain parts of Central America apparently gives the coffee a brighter, fruitier taste compared to the earthy notes you get from lowland blends. Makes sense why that Colombian cup stood out so much compared to the generic stuff.