Why it matters in the cup.
Coffee glossary
Micro Lots
Small, specifically separated coffee lots identified for distinct quality, varietal, process, or location within a farm or cooperative.
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How coffee gets bought
How coffee gets bought
What it means
Small, specifically separated coffee lots identified for distinct quality, varietal, process, or location within a farm or cooperative. Microlots allow more individuality and traceability and often carry sharper sensory identity than larger blended farm lots. The term can imply rarity and quality even when the separation is more commercial than sensory.
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Where this leads
Each one pushes this into the cup, compares it, or helps you act on it.
How coffee gets bought
Origin
Start with place.
Read origin labels with curiosity. The real detail comes from farm, varietal, process, and roast.
How coffee gets bought
Single Origin
Then see how origin gets framed on the label.
When you see single origin, ask how specific the origin actually is.
How coffee gets bought
Direct Trade
Then how the buying relationship gets built.
When you see direct trade on a bag, ask what the buyer is actually doing, not just what phrase they chose.
How coffee gets bought
Coffee Blend
Stay inside how coffee gets bought and compare a nearby term before widening out.
Judge blends by intent and execution, not by the fact that they are blends.