Specialty coffee is not just coffee. It is an experience. It is the pinnacle of quality, precision and passion – from bean to cup. Every stage, from cultivation to roasting and preparation, is carried out with complete dedication.
What sets specialty coffee apart from the rest?
Specialty coffee is no coincidence. It is a carefully selected coffee that scores 80 points or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale. Only the best coffee cherries, carefully controlled cultivation, and innovative processing methods create flavors that you won't find in regular coffee.
How is specialty coffee rated?
Every specialty coffee goes through two key screening processes:
- Visual inspection: A 350 gram sample of green coffee beans must not have more than five minor defects and no major defects.
- Cupping test: Experts (Q Graders) rate coffee based on its acidity, body, aroma, balance and overall impression. More points mean a more exceptional coffee.
Specialty coffee is rated on a 100-point scale:
- 90–100 points: Exceptional coffee
- 85–89.99 points: Excellent coffee
- 80–84.99 points: Very good coffee
Only coffees that score 80 points or more can carry the specialty label.
The difference between specialty and commercial coffee
The difference between specialty and regular coffee
Commercial coffee is often harvested without careful selection and roasted to a darker profile to mask flavor flaws. Specialty coffee, on the other hand, goes through rigorous selection at every stage to preserve its natural notes – from fruity to chocolatey and floral.
In addition, specialty coffee producers focus on sustainable farming and fair trade, which means better working conditions and better environmental protection.
Where does specialty coffee come from?
Specialty coffee begins with carefully tended coffee plantations. Growers select optimal altitudes, fertile soils, and sustainable farming methods to provide the best conditions for coffee cherries to grow.
Only fully ripe coffee cherries are hand-picked and then carefully sorted. Unripe or damaged cherries are removed as they would affect the quality of the final coffee. After harvesting, the coffee is carefully processed, removing the fruit surrounding the coffee bean.
There are several processing methods that affect the taste of coffee:
- Natural method: The coffee is dried together with the fruit, which emphasizes the sweetness and fruity notes.
- Prana (washed) method: The fruit is removed before drying, allowing for cleaner and more balanced flavors.
- Honey method: Part of the fruit remains on the grain during drying, which yields a richer texture and greater sweetness.
- Anaerobic fermentation: Coffee ferments in closed containers without oxygen, which develops complex and unique aromas.
Each method is carefully selected based on the coffee variety and desired flavor profile.
How does roasting affect quality?
Roasting specialty coffee is both an art and a science. Every bean has its own story, and the roaster's job is to bring out the best in it. Rather than hiding flavors behind an overly strong roast, specialty coffee emphasizes its natural character.
Each coffee requires a different approach to roasting to bring out its best qualities – whether it’s the floral complexity of an Ethiopian coffee or the rich chocolate notes of a Brazilian coffee. Specialty roasters are all about precisely tailoring the roast profile to each batch, ensuring consistent quality.
How to prepare specialty coffee?
Just like choosing the right tea, when it comes to coffee, details matter. Specialty coffee deserves meticulous preparation – from hand pouring to espresso, always with the right amount of attention. And no, don't store your coffee in the refrigerator.
Proper preparation involves choosing the right method (filter, espresso, cold brew, etc.), proper grinding, and the exact ratio of water to coffee. Proper storage means keeping it in an airtight container, away from light and moisture.
Is specialty coffee worth it?
We think so. And we're not alone. Coffee can be just a drink or an experience. By choosing specialty coffee, you support sustainable farming, fair trade and true quality. Every cup means more – for you and for the planet.
Specialty coffee is not only tastier, it is also ethically produced. When you choose specialty coffee, you support farmers who invest in quality, not mass production. In doing so, you contribute to a better future for coffee by supporting sustainable practices and preserving biodiversity.
Are you ready for the next level of coffee?
Find your specialty coffee. Choose beans that will open up a new world of flavors.
Our specialties you can find coffee blends here
