Specialty coffee is an artistic experience that combines science and creativity, and blending different types of coffee beans is one of the best ways to create a unique taste that suits your personal taste. Whether you're a fan of fresh fruity flavors, rich chocolate, or a balanced blend of acidity and sweetness, blending beans allows you to customize your daily coffee experience. In Saudi Arabia, where coffee is an integral part of the culture, specialty coffee lovers are looking to create their own blends using beans from prestigious local roasters like Hawand , Ash , and Duha . In this article, prepared exclusively for the Coffee Luxury blog, we'll walk you through the steps of blending coffee beans for a unique taste, along with practical tips, examples of distinctive blends, and recommendations for using coffee preparation tools from Coffee Luxury . Whether you're a home barista or a beginner, this guide will help you create a coffee blend that reflects your personality and satisfies your taste buds.
Why mix coffee types?
Blending coffee is the process of combining beans from different sources, processors, or roasting degrees to create a balanced or distinct flavor. Reasons why blending beans is an attractive option include:
- Customize the flavor : You can combine fruity, floral, or chocolate flavors to create a taste that suits your preferences.
- Balance : Combining high-acidity grains with others with a dense body produces a balanced flavor that suits multiple preparation methods.
- Variety : Allows you to try new flavors without having to buy ready-made mixes.
- Cultural Experience : In Saudi Arabia, beans suitable for traditional Arabic coffee can be combined with modern blends to create a unique experience.
Key factors when mixing coffee types
To successfully blend coffee beans, the following factors must be considered:
- Origin of grains :
- Ethiopia : Characterized by floral and fruity flavors (such as jasmine, berries, and citrus) and high acidity. Example: Doha Yirgacheffe .
- Brazil : Offers chocolate and nutty flavors (e.g., dark chocolate, caramel) with a thick body. Example: Hound Brazil Cascaval .
- Colombia : A balance of acidity and sweetness, with flavors like apple or caramel. Example: Ash Colombia Supremo .
- Treatment method :
- Natural processing : Adds sweetness and fruity flavors (eg. Ash Ethiopia Hambela ).
- Washed processing : brings out pure, acidic flavors (e.g., Dohy Yergacheff ).
- Roasting degree :
- Light : highlights acidity and fruity flavors.
- Medium : Balances acidity and sweetness, ideal for espresso and drip coffee.
- Dark : Produces rich, concentrated flavors with a slight bitterness.
- Blending ratios : The ratio of beans determines the impact each type has on the final flavor. For example, a blend of 50% Ethiopian and 50% Brazilian will produce a different flavor than one with 70% Ethiopian and 30% Brazilian.
- Preparation method : Choose beans based on the preparation method (espresso, drip coffee, cold brew, Arabic coffee).
Steps to mix coffee types to get a unique taste
1. Determine the purpose of the mixture
- Ask yourself: Do you want a blend of rich espresso, refreshing drip coffee, smooth cold brew, or traditional Arabic coffee?
- Determine your preferred flavors: Do you prefer floral acidity, chocolatey sweetness, or a balanced blend?
2. Choosing grains
- For acidity and fruity flavors : Choose Ethiopian beans such as Doha Yirgacheffe or Ash Ethiopia Hambela .
- For fullness and sweetness : Choose a Brazilian bean like Hound Brazil Cascaval or a Colombian one like Ash Colombia Supremo .
- For balance : Try a Salvadoran bean like Hound Salvador El Carmen with apple and caramel flavors.
3. Determine mixing ratios.
- Balanced blend : 50% fruity grains (Ethiopia) + 50% chocolate grains (Brazil).
- Fruity blend : 70% Ethiopia + 30% Colombia.
- Rich espresso blend : 60% Brazil + 30% Colombia + 10% Ethiopia.
4. Mixing experience
- Mix before grinding : Mix the whole grains in specific proportions, then grind them together. This ensures even distribution of flavors.
- Blending after preparation : Prepare each type separately (e.g., espresso from Brazilian beans and drip coffee from Ethiopia), then blend the drinks to experience the flavor.
- Use a digital scale like the Hario Drip Scale from Coffee Luxury to accurately measure ratios.
5. Flavor testing and adjustment
- Prepare the mixture using your preferred brewing method (espresso, V60, cold brew).
- Take notes on the flavor: Is it too acidic? Does it need more sweetness?
- Adjust ratios or add new grains based on experience.
6. Proper storage
- Store the blend in an airtight container like the Airscape Coffee Canister or Fellow Atmos from Luxury Coffee to preserve the flavor.
- Avoid exposure to moisture or heat, and use beans within 2-4 weeks of roasting.
Examples of distinctive blends
1. Rich espresso blend
- Objective : Creamy espresso with chocolatey flavors and a fruity touch.
- Relatives :
- 60% Hound Brazil Cascaval (medium roast, chocolate and caramel flavors).
- 30% Ash Colombia Supremo (Medium roast, apple and caramel flavors).
- 10% Dhuha Yirgacheffe (light roast, raspberry and jasmine flavors).
- Preparation :
- Grind 18g of the blend to a fine grind, extract 36g of espresso using the Delonghi Dedica coffee machine.
- Serve in a small cup or add 150ml of cold milk to make an iced latte.
- The result : a rich espresso with a thick body, chocolate flavors, and a light fruity touch.
2. Refreshing drip coffee blend
- Objective : A floral and fruity filtered coffee for the Saudi summer.
- Relatives :
- 70% Ethiopian Hambela Ash (light roast, peach and cranberry flavors).
- 30% Hound El Salvador El Carmen (Medium roast, apple and caramel flavors).
- Preparation :
- Grind 15g of the blend to a medium grind, pour 250ml of hot water (92°C) using a Hario V60 Coffee Wellbeing Funnel.
- The result : a refreshing coffee with floral and citrusy flavors and a hint of sweetness.
3. Smooth Cold Brew Mixture
- Purpose : Smooth cold brew with sweet and fruity flavors.
- Relatives :
- 50% Hound Brazil Cascaval (medium roast, chocolate flavors).
- 50% Ash Ethiopia Hambela (medium roast, peach flavors).
- Preparation :
- Grind 100g of the blend to a coarse grind, soak in 1 liter of cold water for 12-16 hours using a Hario Mizudashi Luxury Coffee Pot.
- Strain and serve with ice cubes and 10ml of Torani Sugar-Free Vanilla Sauce.
- The result : a smooth cold brew with sweet and fruity flavors, perfect for hot days.
4. Luxury Arabic coffee blend
- Objective : Arabic coffee with traditional flavors with a modern twist.
- Relatives :
- 60% Dhuha Yergacheffe (light roast, floral and citrusy flavors).
- 40% Ash Rahla (light roast, cardamom and saffron flavors).
- Preparation :
- Grind 10g of the mixture with a medium grind, pour 150ml of hot water (90°C) into an Arabic coffee pot, and let it boil slightly before serving.
- Serve with dates or Arabic sweets.
- The result : a luxurious Arabic coffee with floral flavors and a traditional twist.
Tips for Successfully Blending Coffee Beans
- Start with small quantities : Try mixing 50-100g of grains to test the flavor before making larger quantities.
- Balance the flavors : Combine acidic beans (such as Ethiopian) with sweet beans (such as Brazil) to achieve balance.
- Use fresh beans : Choose freshly roasted beans (within 2-4 weeks) from Luxury Coffee to ensure the best flavor.
- Take notes : Record ratios and mixing results to develop your own recipes.
- Use precise tools : Use the Hario Drip Scale and the Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder to ensure accurate grinding and measuring.
- Try different brewing methods : Test the blend with espresso, drip coffee, or cold brew to see how best to bring out the flavors.
- Add creative touches : Use Torani or 1883 Maison Routin coffee sauces (such as caramel or vanilla) to enhance the flavor, especially in cold drinks.
Frequently asked questions about mixing coffee types
1. Why should you mix coffee types instead of using one type?
Blending grains allows you to create balanced or unique flavors that suit your personal taste and preparation method. You can combine acidity, sweetness, and texture for a customized experience.
2. What are the best beans for blending coffee?
- For acidity : Ethiopian grains such as Dahya Yirgacheffe or Ash Ethiopia Hambela .
- For sweetness and texture : Brazilian beans such as Hound Brazil Cascaval or Colombian beans such as Ash Colombia Supremo .
- For balance : beans from El Salvador such as Hound El Salvador El Carmen .
3. Can I mix beans with different roasting degrees?
Yes, but it's best to blend beans with similar roast levels (such as light and medium) to ensure even extraction. Dark roasts can overpower light roasts if the ratios are unbalanced.
4. How do I choose the right mixing ratios?
Start with balanced ratios (like 50:50) or focus on a main type (like 70:30). Experiment with the flavor and adjust the ratios based on your preferences.
5. Can the grains be mixed after grinding?
It's best to blend whole beans before grinding to ensure even flavor distribution. Blending after grinding may result in uneven extraction.
6. Does mixing beans affect the quality of the coffee?
If high-quality beans are selected from roasters like Hound , Ash , or Dhuha , blending enhances the quality by creating complex, balanced flavors.
7. What is the best way to prepare for the mixture test?
- Espresso : For rich, intense blends.
- Drip coffee : to highlight fruity and floral flavors.
- Cold Brew : For smooth, sweet flavors.
Why choose coffee beans from Luxury Coffee?
At Luxury Coffee , we offer a premium selection of specialty coffee beans from Saudi roasters like Hawand , Ash , and Dahha , ideal for blending and creating unique flavors. We also stock brewing tools like the Hario V60 , Hario Mizudashi , Delonghi Dedica , and Hario Drip Scale , as well as Torani and 1883 Maison Routin saucers to enhance flavors. With free shipping and fast delivery to all cities in Saudi Arabia, you can easily experiment with your own blends. Shop our online store now.