Specialty is a term that shows up all over on coffee bags, cafs and roasters' websites. But what exactly does it denote, and is it important? Specialty coffee has a very technical definition. The S. C. A (Speciality Coffee Association) grades the coffee on a 100 point scale.
Any coffee that scores 80 or over is classed as being in the specialty grade. The grading takes into considerations aroma flavour aftertaste, acidity body balance, uniformity and defect. Practically speaking, Specialty Coffee accounts for maybe, the top 3% of all coffee grown globally.
What distinguishes it from commercial coffee Commercial coffee the canned supermarket brands and most instant coffee is made in large quantities and with uniformity. To lower cost and hide bad flavor notes, whole beans are blended from many different origins, inferior beans are used and the coffee is roasted very dark.
Specialty coffee means the height of quality great coffee is grown in the best possible environment, picked selectively (often by hand) sorted processed carefully and roasted and brewed by master craftsmen who usually are just a little more passionate about these things than most of us.
The final product has specific characteristics that can be identified and teased out flavour characteristics such as fruit chocolate floral, caramel rather than the world of coffee.
The Supply Chain: The Specialty coffee also suggests a less opaque supply chain.
Specialty roasters will usually know their sources very well and often have direct links with farmers, and pay premium prices to above market prices.... This is relevant for the farmers specialty premiums can be a game changer for the producers.
Is It Relevant for the Average Coffee Consumer? Yes but not by its score. It is relevant because specialty coffee will taste better, will be sourced more ethically, and will provide you with a real link to the origin of your coffee. It is really difficult to go back once you've tastes a well prepared specialty. Browse our selection of specialty coffee by visiting Global Coffee Haven.