What Is Specialty Coffee?
A practical introduction to specialty coffee, what makes it different, and why quality matters from farm to cup.
Specialty coffee refers to coffee that is produced, processed, evaluated and prepared with a strong focus on quality.
The concept covers the entire journey of coffee, from the growing conditions at the farm to harvesting, processing, roasting and brewing.
Specialty coffee is often associated with carefully selected varieties, traceable origins, high-quality processing and detailed sensory evaluation.
For the drinker, specialty coffee is not simply about paying more for coffee. It is about understanding where the coffee comes from and appreciating the characteristics that make each coffee unique.
Factors such as altitude, climate, soil, coffee variety, processing method and roasting style can all influence the final cup.
This is why coffees from Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, Brazil and other origins can taste remarkably different even when prepared using the same brewing method.