Brazilian Santos Versus Ethiopian Brightness

Brazil produces more coffee than any country on Earth, roughly a third of the world’s entire supply. Its Santos beans are known for one thing above all else: rock-solid reliability.Brazilian Santos is nutty, chocolatey, and low in acidity, a smooth and pleasant cup that rarely offends anyone. Ethiopian coffee is the complete opposite, high in acidity with floral and fruity notes that jump out of the cup.Blenders love Brazil because it anchors a blend with body and sweetness, giving structure to brighter, more expensive coffees.

Single-origin drinkers love Ethiopia because it tastes like nothing else grown on the planet.The two origins represent the two poles of the specialty spectrum. Brazil is comfort and consistency, Ethiopia is excitement and surprise, and both have their devoted fans.Brazil’s lower altitudes and mechanical harvesting keep prices moderate, which is another reason it dominates blends worldwide. Ethiopia’s higher altitudes and hand-picked smallholdings cost more but reward with complexity.For espresso blends and milk drinks, Brazil is.