Specialty Coffee
So what is specialty coffee? If you’re interested in drinking coffee that’s better than average, specialty coffee may be the drink for you. The term specialty coffee refers to the highest grade coffee on the market. It refers to the entire coffee supply chain and usually uses only single estate and origin coffees. Erna Knutsen coined the term in 1974, but the concept of specialty coffee isn’t new.
The specialty coffee journey begins at the farm and ends at the cup. From bean to cup, specialty coffee go through a series of stages of buyers before reaching the final consumer. The final product of these processes depends on the efforts of each actor, so defining the process of sourcing a specialty coffee isn’t an easy feat. But there are several things that consumers should look for when defining this type of coffee. Here are a few things to look for when selecting a brand:
Specialty coffee is typically grown at higher altitudes. The farmer cares deeply about the quality of the coffee and sells it at a premium to roasters. These roasters then use custom coffee profiles to enhance natural flavors. After the coffee has been roasted, it’s processed by baristas using high precision and care. Many specialty coffees require specialized equipment. A certified Q grader will make sure the coffee is up to standard.
What Is Specialty Coffee?
After all of this, you’ll want to know about the roasting process. While it’s debated whether roasting itself is a specialty, the SCAA has developed a 100-point sensory evaluation system. In short, coffee with a score of 80 and above is considered specialty coffee. Anything lower than 80 is considered commodity coffee. For those of you interested in learning more about specialty coffee, check out the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel to learn about the different types of flavors.
There’s no one single person who makes specialty coffee. Several hundred or even thousands of people work behind the scenes to create your next cup of coffee. Each step in the production process requires A-listers. From the growers who take the time to create the best conditions for coffee plants to the roasters who process the beans to their highest potential. But how can you tell if the coffee is truly specialty? By learning about the entire process, you can make the best decision for your next coffee purchase.
What is specialty coffee? The term specialty coffee refers to coffee that has passed a rigorous testing process and is highly prized by many. Its quality is defined by its aroma, mouthfeel, and frothiness. Its beans must pass visual inspection, altitude, and cupping score in order to be certified as specialty. By this definition, specialty coffee is coffee that adds value to everyone involved. And it’s all about the quality, so it’s worth it.
Why is specialty coffee so special? Simply put, specialty coffee is coffee that has been graded by a professional coffee taster. A qualified coffee taster or licensed Q-Grader grades specialty coffee. The highest-quality coffee is harvested at high altitudes and is produced in the perfect soil and climatic conditions. It’s also traceable and carefully crafted. Each step in the coffee-growing process is monitored and understood.