SOE vs. Blend Coffee: How to Choose Without Getting Burned
Every time you walk into a café and stare at the menu — “SOE Latte,” “Classic Blend Americano” — do you suddenly get hit with decision paralysis? Should you pick a bright, distinctive SOE, or stick to a familiar, no-fail blend? The truth is simple: it all depends on whether you’re craving steady comfort or fresh exploration . Let’s start with the basics. SOE stands for Single Origin Espresso , meaning the espresso comes from one specific region. After James Hoffmann won the 2007 World Barista Championship using an SOE, this terroir-driven style slowly became a trend. Today, you can find it in almost every specialty café. Blend coffee , on the other hand, is made by mixing 2–4 types of beans from different origins. It’s the traditional choice for espresso. Why Blends Are the Safe Bet The biggest strength of blends is their reliability . Before specialty coffee became mainstream, blends were usually dark-roasted to mask defects and create a smooth, full-bodied cup. Even if one...