Why Single Origin Espresso Costs More: What Makes SOE Coffee Special?
When you walk into a café and order an Americano or a milk-based coffee, you’ll often see two options on the menu: the default house blend espresso, or a pricier SOE. And naturally, some people wonder— why does this “SOE” cost more? What exactly makes it more expensive? SOE Coffee — What Exactly Is It? First, both SOE and blends are terms within the world of espresso. SOE (Single Origin Espresso) refers to espresso made from coffee beans that come from a single origin, as opposed to a house blend espresso that combines beans from multiple origins. Back in the days before “acidic coffee” became trendy, most cafés used blends composed of beans from two or more regions. Shops rarely emphasized where their beans came from or what ratios they used. And since darker roasts were the mainstream preference at the time, this ensured stable extraction, rich crema, and a full-bodied espresso. The Rise of SOE In the 1980s, the concept of specialty coffee took off. High-quality single-or...