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Specialty coffee is a term that describes coffee that scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale. Coffee is graded by certified coffee tasters, also known as Q graders.
These types of coffee beans are considered exceptional compared to other types of coffee for a range of different reasons. But what exactly is specialty coffee and how is it scored? Keep reading to find out.
As briefly mentioned, specialty coffee is high-quality coffee that scores above 80 on the specialty coffee grading scale. These coffee beans are:
This ensures that the coffee beans are of exceptional quality, free from defects, and characterised by unique and complex flavour profiles.
| Score | Grade | Specialty Coffee? |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | Exceptional | Yes |
| 85-89.99 | Excellent | Yes |
| 80-84.99 | Good | Yes |
| Below 80 | Commodity coffee (lower-quality coffee beans) | No |
Now that you have a better understanding of what specialty coffee is and what the grades mean, let’s explore what affects the overall score of the coffee.
The acidity levels play a key part in the score of coffee. For example, if the acidity levels are too high, it negatively affects the overall score. For a higher score, the acidity should not be overwhelming.
The flavour plays one of the most important roles in the final score of the coffee. High-scoring coffee usually has complex flavours like peach, cherry chocolate, or blackcurrant. Coffees with balanced, pleasant flavours score higher.
Types of sweetness, like sugar and honey, are present in coffee. A lack of sweetness or excessive bitterness can lower the coffee score.
Defects refer to undesirable qualities like earthy or sour notes, which result from poor processing, bad beans, or improper roasting. Defects significantly lower the coffee score.
It’s important that coffee has the right balance of acidity, body, and flavour. If a coffee is too acidic or too sweet, it can negatively affect the score. A good balance is key to a high score.
Here at Crosby Coffee, we offer a wide range of coffee beans, all of which are graded specialty coffees, such as our Iron Men blend and Guatemala beans. Our Guatemala blend has a cup score of 84, which means it falls under the specialty coffee category.
We offer a variety of specialty coffee beans, including blends and single-origin options. We pride ourselves on roasting high-quality coffee in-house to ensure freshness and flavour.
Some of our popular blends include the Iron Men Blend and single-origin coffees sourced from regions such as Colombia, Guatemala, and Kenya. Try our specialty coffee blends today!
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