What is Speciality Coffee and Why Should You Care?
In recent years, speciality coffee has become a buzzword among coffee lovers, but what exactly does it mean, and why should you care? Whether you're a seasoned coffee enthusiast or a casual drinker, understanding the concept of speciality coffee can enhance your coffee experience and offer a deeper connection to what’s in your cup. In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of speciality coffee, explore its defining characteristics, and highlight why it’s worth your attention.
What is Specialty Coffee?
Speciality coffee refers to coffee beans that have been carefully cultivated, processed, and roasted to achieve the highest quality. The term “speciality” is not just a marketing gimmick - it's a designation given to coffee that scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale by certified coffee graders. This rating system, established by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA), ensures that the beans meet strict standards in terms of flavour, aroma, and overall quality.
Speciality coffee is different from the mass-produced coffee you might find at your local grocery store. The beans are often sourced from specific regions, farms, or even micro-lots known for their unique flavour profiles. These beans are grown at high altitudes in ideal climates, and they’re harvested by skilled farmers who use sustainable and ethical practices.
Once harvested, the beans go through meticulous processing methods like washed, natural, or honey processing, which further elevate their flavour profiles. After that, speciality coffee beans are roasted with precision to bring out their unique characteristics, ensuring that every cup is fresh, flavourful, and enjoyable.
Why Should You Care About Specialty Coffee?
Superior Quality and Flavour
One of the primary reasons you should care about specialty coffee is the exceptional taste. Unlike standard coffee, which can often be bland or bitter, speciality coffee offers an array of complex flavours and aromas that can transform your daily cup. Depending on the origin of the beans, you may experience hints of fruit, chocolate, floral notes, or even spices. Speciality coffee is a sensory journey, and each sip can offer something new and exciting. Here's six of our favourite unusual coffee recipes from around the world.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Speciality coffee is often produced with a focus on sustainability and ethical farming practices. Farmers who grow specialty coffee beans typically receive higher wages for their crops, which helps improve their livelihoods and supports local communities. Many speciality coffee producers also focus on environmentally-friendly practices, like organic farming or using less water during the processing stage. By choosing speciality coffee, you're supporting a more ethical and sustainable industry. Find out more about how we source our coffee in our latest Impact Report.
Freshness and Traceability
Speciality coffee is often roasted in small batches to preserve its flavour and aroma, ensuring that you’re getting the freshest coffee possible. In addition, speciality coffee is traceable - meaning you can learn about the journey of your beans from farm to cup. With the rise of direct trade relationships between farmers and roasters, you have greater transparency about how your coffee was grown, processed, and traded. Does knowing your coffee's origin really matter? We certainty think it does!
Supporting Small-Scale Farmers
When you choose speciality coffee, you are directly supporting small-scale farmers who are dedicated to producing high-quality beans. These farmers often face challenges like fluctuating prices and climate change, but by purchasing specialty coffee, you're helping them stay afloat and grow their businesses. Speciality coffee allows these farmers to be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the craft. Read about why we think direct trade with small-scale farmers is critical for a fair industry here.
Customisation and Variety
Speciality coffee gives you a wide variety of options. Whether you prefer light roasts, dark roasts, single-origin beans, or blends, specialty coffee roasters offer a diverse selection that caters to all taste preferences. With different brewing methods (like pour-over, French press, espresso, or cold brew), you can customise your coffee experience to suit your exact taste. This level of variety and choice simply isn’t available with mass-market coffee. You can find our full selection of coffees here.
The Art of Brewing
Speciality coffee is not just about the beans - it's about how you brew them. With speciality coffee, you can experiment with different brewing methods and learn how each technique affects the taste of your cup. Whether you enjoy the precision of pour-over brewing or the richness of a French press, speciality coffee encourages you to explore the art of coffee-making. It’s a hobby that enhances your appreciation for the craft and transforms your daily routine into a more enjoyable experience. Read our brew guides for more brewing tips.
Conclusion: Why Speciality Coffee Matters
Speciality coffee is more than just a drink; it’s an experience. From the high-quality beans to the sustainable farming practices, there are plenty of reasons to care about speciality coffee. Whether you’re looking to elevate your morning routine, discover new flavours, or support ethical and sustainable coffee production, making the switch to speciality coffee is a rewarding choice.
So, the next time you’re sipping a cup of coffee, think about where it came from and the journey it took to get to you. Speciality coffee offers a deeper connection to the drink you love, and once you’ve experienced its exceptional quality, you’ll never want to go back to ordinary coffee again.
Start Your Speciality Coffee Journey Today!
If you're ready to elevate your coffee experience, look for reputable speciality coffee roasters and explore different brewing methods to find what suits your taste. The world of speciality coffee is vast and exciting, and it’s waiting for you to discover its rich flavours and incredible stories. Happy brewing!
Visit our full speciality coffee range here.
