What is specialty coffee?
Ever had a sip of coffee that tasted so good? It’s probably specialty coffee. But what does that mean?
It refers to a process in which the berries are meticulously chosen, typically grown at high altitude, with a lot of care and attention from the farmer.
According to the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association), it “refers to the highest quality green coffee beans roasted to their greatest flavor potential by true craftspeople and then properly brewed to well-established SCAA developed standards.”
But before getting this prestigious name, the members from (SCAA) must taste the coffee and give it a score. Typically, specialty coffee scores above 80 points on a 100-point scale. Designated experts called “cuppers” test a variety of fragrance, aroma, acidity, body, balance, uniformity and even look at the bean for any defects that may prevent it from qualifying.
Why buy specialty coffee?
The focus of specialty coffee is based on sustainability and real connection to the growers. You will not find it at your local grocery store, the most noticeable difference is packaging. While commercial coffee is made in big manufactures, under big company names, it will typically come instant or as ground coffee. Specialty coffee is packed as whole beans, roasted in small batches with traditional and organic methods.
This process not only benefits the consumer by having a more delightful experience, but it helps the farmers as well. While the production is less, the product can be sold as a higher quality product, therefore the growers make more money. And this has a huge impact in the local community establishing a transparent long-term relationship with the roaster, based on real values.
So, the next time you’re enjoying your morning Java, think of all the hard work, the hours invested, and the passion dedicated to the making of your amazing specialty coffee. Bom appetite!