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Did you know that specialty coffee accounts for 23% of coffee consumed in the UK?This rapidly growing segment of the coffee industry represents the highest quality beans - carefully cultivated, processed, and roasted to bring out their unique flavours.
Unlike commodity coffee, specialty coffee is graded by certified professionals and must score 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale to earn its title. Continue reading to find out what makes specialty coffee, including its origins, grading system, and the processes that go into producing it.
The term specialty coffee was first coined in 1974 by Erna Knutsen - a pioneering figure in the coffee industry. In her speech to the International Coffee Organisation, Knutsen used the phrase to describe the highest grade of coffee beans, grown in ideal climates and renowned for their distinctive flavour profiles.
These beans, she explained, came from ‘special’ microclimates - handled with exceptional care during cultivation, processing, and roasting. Since then, the term has evolved to represent more than just quality. It embodies a movement known as the Third Wave - focused on transparency, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Specialty coffee has grown into a global phenomenon, celebrated by farmers, roasters, and coffee lovers across the world who value excellence at every stage of production.
Specialty coffee is grown in specific regions - all of which provide ideal conditions for producing exceptional specialty coffee.
These regions are mostly located along the Coffee Belt, which provides the perfect combination of altitude, climate, and soil to cultivate specialty-grade beans. The most bought specialty coffee is from South America, Central America, East Africa, and Asia.
As the world’s largest coffee producer, Brazil plays a significant role in specialty coffee. Known for its smooth, nutty, and chocolatey flavours, Brazilian specialty coffee is grown in specific regions like Minas Gerais and São Paulo, where high altitudes and consistent rainfall contribute to exceptional quality.
Colombia is also renowned for producing specialty coffee with vibrant acidity and fruity or floral notes. Its mountainous terrain, microclimates, and hand-picked harvesting methods make it an ideal location for the specialty coffee market. Regions in Columbia, such as Huila and Antioquia, are also especially famous for their distinctive beans.
Costa Rica is celebrated for its meticulous focus on quality, with specialty coffee farms often using advanced techniques to enhance flavour. The country's volcanic soil and high altitudes create ideal growing conditions for great-quality coffee, resulting in beans with bright acidity, sweetness, and different flavour profiles.
Ethiopia is often considered the birthplace of coffee. It remains one of the most significant producers of specialty coffee. Known for its diverse varieties, Ethiopian specialty coffee often features bright acidity and floral aroma.
Regions like Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar are especially renowned for their unique flavour profiles. Coffee grown in Ethiopia benefits from the country's high altitudes and rich biodiversity.
Though less well-known, India has a growing specialty coffee sector, particularly in regions like Karnataka and Kerala. Indian specialty coffee often exhibits unique spice and chocolate notes, reflecting the country's diverse growing environments and cultivation methods.
Specialty coffee is a global effort, with each region contributing unique flavours that reflect its environment and farming practices, making every cup a truly distinctive experience.
Specialty coffee and regular coffee differ significantly in quality, cultivation, and preparation. While specialty coffee emphasises excellence at every stage, from bean selection to brewing, regular coffee prioritises mass production and affordability. Let’s take a look at a comparison of the two:
| Specialty Coffee | Regular Coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Bean Quality | High-quality Arabica beans, hand-picked for flavour and consistency. | Often commodity-grade Arabica and Robusta beans. |
| Cultivation | Grown in ideal conditions with attention to altitude, soil, and climate. | Focus on yield over quality, often grown in less ideal conditions. |
| Grading | Must score 80+ points on a 100-point scale by a Q Grader. | No formal grading or scoring system. |
| Flavour Profile | Complex and nuanced, with distinct regional characteristics. | Basic, often bitter or bland. |
| Roasting | Small-batch roasting tailored to highlight flavour nuances. | Large-scale roasting aimed at uniformity and speed. |
| Sustainability | Often tied to ethical sourcing, fair trade, and environmentally friendly practices. | Less emphasis on sustainability or traceability. |
| Brewing | Prepared using precise brewing methods to enhance flavour. | Brewed quickly and conveniently, often in large batches. |
| Price | Premium pricing reflects quality and ethical sourcing. | More affordable but compromises on quality. |
Whether you prefer specialty or regular coffee depends on your priorities - taste and quality versus convenience and cost.
Specialty coffee is defined as coffee that scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale. The coffee must go through a rigorous grading process conducted by a certified coffee grader, known as a Q Grader. This evaluation focuses on key attributes, such as:
To earn the specialty title, the coffee must also be free of primary defects, like mould or insect damage, and exhibit a distinct flavour profile that reflects its origin and terroir. Varieties like Bourbon and Typica are often grown under ideal conditions and are known to achieve scores in the specialty range, making them some of the most sought-after coffees in the world.
This particular grading process ensures that specialty coffee offers a unique and exceptional experience, differentiating it from standard-grade coffee.
Specialty coffee stands out for its superior quality and unique attributes, offering several compelling reasons to choose it over regular coffee:
The bottom line is that by choosing specialty coffee, you’ll be prioritising and supporting quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.
At Crosby Coffee, we offer specialty coffee that scores above 80, as well as other options of high-quality coffee. We take pride in being able to provide tasty and environmentally-friendly coffee to our customers.
If you want an easy way to indulge in the perfect cup of coffee, we recommend our popular subscription service. If you happen to have any questions regarding our coffee, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
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