What is Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee refers to high-grade coffee beans that have been grown, harvested, and processed with extra care. The standards for specialty coffee are much higher than those of regular beans, as they must meet certain quality criteria in order to be considered “specialty”. Specialty coffee is often sourced from farms that place an emphasis on sustainable practices, use specific processing techniques to ensure the highest quality product, and are certified by international organizations such as Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance. It is often more expensive than regular coffee because of the added costs associated with growing it.

When purchasing specialty coffee, one should look for a “cupping” score above 80 out of 100. This score considers the aroma, flavor profile (acidity, sweetness, etc.), body, balance and aftertaste of the bean. It is important to note that this rating system does not take price into consideration; therefore, some expensive coffees may not actually be specialty grade if their cupping score is low enough.

Specialty coffee has become increasingly popular over the past decade due to its complex flavor profiles and unique varieties not found in your typical grocery store bag of beans. For example, you can purchase single-origin coffees from places like Ethiopia and Guatemala that showcase unique flavors such as berry or citrus notes alongside traditional roasts with chocolaty undertones.

The best way to enjoy specialty coffee is with a manual brewing method such as pour-over or French press. This allows you to control the temperature and grind size in order to get a cup of Joe packed with flavor every time. Furthermore, using freshly roasted beans ensures optimal freshness which will allow you to taste all the nuances these incredible coffees have to offer without any bitterness or off-flavors associated with stale grounds.

Specialty coffees also benefit farmers who grow them since they usually receive far higher wages than those selling regular beans on the commodity market. In addition to improving farmer’s livelihoods through fair wages, many companies involved in buying specialty coffees also donate part of their profits back into communities where these crops are grown in order to help reduce poverty levels in these areas.

Overall, specialty coffees provide an amazing experience for both consumers and farmers alike due to their unparalleled freshness and complexity when brewed properly and ethically sourced production methods that can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives around the world!