What Makes Specialty Coffee So Special?
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If you’ve ever been captivated by the rich aromas of freshly brewed coffee or puzzled over the hype surrounding specialty coffee, you’re not alone. I used to think coffee was just coffee, a caffeine fix to help me power through the day. That was until I tasted a cup of meticulously sourced and perfectly brewed specialty coffee. It was a game-changer.
But what exactly makes it so special? From the beans to the brewing process, there are many reasons why specialty coffee stands above the rest. Let me take you on a journey to discover why it’s not just a drink, it’s an experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Specialty coffee refers to high-quality coffee that scores 80+ points on a 100-point scale.
- The journey from farm to cup involves careful sourcing, ethical practices, and precision in roasting.
- Specialty coffee has unique flavor profiles based on its origin, processing method, and brewing technique.
- Supporting specialty coffee helps farmers receive fair wages and promotes sustainable practices.
- Investing in the right tools and beans allows you to enjoy barista-quality coffee at home.
Recommended Specialty Coffee Products
To help you experience the magic of specialty coffee at home, here are some highly rated products:
Kicking Horse Coffee, Whole Bean (Three Sisters)
- TASTING NOTES: Well-rounded and complex with notes of stone fruit and cocoa.
- MEDIUM ROAST: Cheeky, bright, precocious. A bright, chocolatey concoction for the smart-thinking, deep-drinking, good-at-their-game-in-the-morning crowd.
- ROASTED IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS: It’s all deep, dark and delicious, roasted right below the towering Canadian Rocky Mountain peaks. In our facility we only make only one thing: coffee! It's roasted from one ingredient only: green coffee. We don't use preservatives, additives, fillers or flavoring.
- AROMA: Sweet dried fruit, toasted coconut, and chocolate malt.
- ALL ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: Grown in a socially and environmentally responsible way, by farmers with sustainable businesses they can depend on.
- 100% ARABICA COFFEE: Magic bean? Oh, goodness. From deep, dark & delicious, to lively and bright our beans are generally cultivated at higher elevation and shade grown, for uncompromising quality and taste.
- RECOMMENDED BREW METHOD: Our Coffee is medium fine grind which is perfect for French Press, Drip, and Pour Over, and Cold Brew
- Exceptional Taste and Aroma: Offers well-rounded flavors with notes of stone fruit, cocoa, and chocolate malt, complemented by an enticing aroma of sweet dried fruit and toasted coconut.
- Sustainability and Quality: Certified organic, Fairtrade, kosher, and sustainably sourced, ensuring ethical and environmentally conscious production.
- Versatile Brewing Options: Perfect for multiple brewing methods, including French press, drip, pour-over, and cold brew.
- Price Point: At $33.99 for 2.2 pounds, it may be considered expensive compared to other medium roasts.
- Limited Availability: Free Prime shipping may not be available through all sellers, which can affect convenience.
- Medium Roast Preference: The flavor profile might not appeal to those who prefer darker or bolder roasts.
The Kicking Horse Coffee, Three Sisters Medium Roast is a well-rounded, whole bean coffee offering a harmonious blend of stone fruit and cocoa notes. This USDA Organic, Fairtrade, and Kosher-certified coffee is roasted in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, ensuring a fresh, flavorful experience. The beans are 100% Arabica, grown at higher elevations for unmatched quality and taste. Designed for versatility, it suits various brewing methods, including French Press, drip, pour-over, and cold brew. Sustainably sourced, it supports socially and environmentally responsible farming.
Lifeboost Coffee, Single Origin Medium Roast
- Caffeine content per serving: 95.0 milligrams
- Caffeine content description: caffeinated
- Specialty: Certified Organic
- Material feature: Non Toxic
- Caffeine content: 95.0 milligrams
- Container type: Bag
- Item package dimensions: 8.78 inches
- Coffee roast level: medium_roast
- Item package weight: 0.79 pounds
- Number of pieces: 1
- Low-Acid and Health-Friendly: Specially crafted for those with sensitive stomachs, it's low in acidity and free from mycotoxins and pesticides.
- USDA Organic and Non-GMO: Single-origin coffee that's organic, non-toxic, and adheres to high-quality standards.
- Customizable Savings: Offers discounts like 30% off for Subscribe and Save, making it more affordable for regular buyers.
- Higher Price Per Ounce: At $2.10 per ounce, it's pricier than other medium roast options on the market.
- Limited Size Options: The 12-ounce bag may not be sufficient for heavy coffee drinkers, requiring more frequent purchases.
- Taste Preference: The low-acid profile might lack the bold flavor some coffee enthusiasts seek in medium roasts.
The Lifeboost Coffee Ground Medium Roast offers a smooth, low-acid coffee experience crafted from single-origin, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO beans. Each batch is third-party tested to ensure it is free from mycotoxins and pesticides, guaranteeing a pure, high-quality brew. With 95 milligrams of caffeine per serving, this medium roast strikes a perfect balance between flavor and energy. Packaged in a convenient 12-ounce bag, it’s ideal for those seeking a healthier coffee option without sacrificing taste.
Chemex Pour-Over Coffee Maker
The Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker is a classic and timeless piece designed for coffee lovers who value a rich, smooth brew. Made from high-quality, non-porous borosilicate glass, it ensures no absorption of odors or chemical residues, delivering the purest coffee flavor. Its sleek, hourglass design not only brews up to 8 cups of coffee but also serves as an elegant table centerpiece. Dishwasher-safe and easy to maintain, the Chemex is perfect for anyone who enjoys a more hands-on brewing experience.
- Smooth Coffee Flavor: Produces a clean, rich brew with no bitterness due to its pour-over brewing method.
- Elegant Design: Doubles as a sophisticated serving carafe, elevating your coffee presentation.
- Generous Capacity: The 8-cup size makes it ideal for sharing coffee with guests or brewing larger batches.
- Proprietary Filters Needed: Requires Chemex-specific filters, which add to the cost and may not be readily available.
- Fragile Build: The glass construction is delicate and requires careful handling to avoid breakage.
- Time-Consuming Process: Brewing with the Chemex takes longer than automatic coffee machines, requiring patience and attention.
The Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker – Classic Series is an 8-cup, elegantly designed coffee maker crafted from high-quality, non-porous borosilicate glass. This ensures the coffee retains its pure flavors without absorbing odors or residues. Its patented pour-over design allows coffee to be covered and refrigerated without compromising taste, making it ideal for reheating. Designed for simplicity and durability, this dishwasher-safe coffeemaker offers a clean and smooth brewing experience, perfect for coffee enthusiasts seeking precision and style.
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
The Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper (Size 02, White) offers a superior pour-over brewing experience with its timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship. Made from durable Japanese ceramic, it retains heat effectively to maintain optimal brewing temperature. The specialty cone shape, spiral ridges, and single large hole allow for precise control, enabling you to customize your coffee’s strength and flavor profile. Whether you prefer floral, fruity, or deep umami notes, the V60 ensures a rich and even extraction every time. Handmade in Japan, this dripper blends tradition with modernity, making it a must-have for coffee connoisseurs.
- Durable Ceramic Build retains heat and ensures even brewing.
- Customizable Brewing for light or rich coffee profiles.
- Handmade Craftsmanship with a rich Japanese ceramic tradition.
- Learning Curve for beginners mastering pour-over technique.
- Fragile Material requires careful handling.
- Requires Separate Filters for use, adding to costs.
The Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper (Size 02) is a timeless coffee brewing tool designed to create the perfect pour-over coffee. Made from durable Japanese ceramic, it retains heat effectively, ensuring consistent brewing temperatures for an exceptional cup. The cone-shaped design, paired with unique spiral ridges, enables even extraction, enhancing the coffee’s natural flavors and richness. With a minimalist aesthetic and roots in the 400-year-old Arita-yaki ceramic tradition, this dripper seamlessly combines modern function with traditional craftsmanship. Its large single hole gives users precise control over brewing speed, perfect for highlighting floral or fruity coffee profiles.
It Starts with the Bean
1. What Are Specialty Coffee Beans?
The foundation of specialty coffee is the bean itself. Unlike mass-produced coffee, specialty coffee beans come from carefully cultivated plants grown under specific conditions. These beans are often Arabica, known for their superior quality and flavor compared to Robusta, which is used in commercial coffee due to its higher yield and resistance to pests.
Arabica beans thrive at higher altitudes, where cooler temperatures allow the coffee cherries to ripen slowly. This slow growth enhances the complexity of the flavors, resulting in coffee that has more depth, balance, and character.
2. How Beans Are Graded and Scored
To be classified as “specialty coffee,” beans undergo a rigorous grading process. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) evaluates coffee beans on a 100-point scale, and only those that score 80 points or higher make the cut. The grading criteria include:
- Flavor: Does the coffee deliver distinct, enjoyable notes like fruit, chocolate, or floral tones?
- Acidity: A pleasant tang or brightness that enhances the overall experience.
- Body: The weight and mouthfeel of the coffee.
- Aroma: The fragrance of the coffee, both before and after brewing.
- Aftertaste: The lingering flavor left on the palate after sipping.
Coffee beans with defects, like discoloration, insect damage, or improper fermentation, are removed during this process. This ensures that every bag of specialty coffee you buy is free of flaws and brimming with flavor potential.
3. The Journey from Farm to Bean
Specialty coffee begins long before it reaches your cup. It all starts on farms, often in specific regions known as coffee belts, which span countries like Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Farmers play a crucial role in this journey. They carefully plant, nurture, and harvest coffee cherries by hand, ensuring only ripe cherries are picked.
After harvesting, the beans undergo various processing methods—each of which influences the coffee’s flavor:
- Washed (Wet) Process: Produces clean, bright, and crisp flavors.
- Natural (Dry) Process: Brings out fruity, sweet, and bold notes.
- Honey Process: A hybrid method that balances acidity and sweetness.
This level of attention ensures that the coffee you drink isn’t just another commodity—it’s the result of passion, patience, and precision.
The Importance of Origin
1. Why Origin Matters
Have you noticed how some coffee bags proudly list the origin, “Ethiopia Yirgacheffe” or “Colombia Huila”? That’s not just marketing fluff. The origin significantly impacts the coffee’s flavor profile. Each coffee-growing region offers unique conditions, including climate, soil, and altitude, that influence the taste of the beans.
- Ethiopian coffee: Known for its delicate, floral, and fruity notes, Ethiopian coffee often surprises drinkers with flavors like jasmine, citrus, or berries.
- Colombian coffee: Renowned for its smooth, well-balanced flavor with caramel-like sweetness and hints of nuts.
- Sumatran coffee: Grown in Indonesia, Sumatran coffee is earthy, full-bodied, and often features spice, chocolate, and herbal undertones.
By paying attention to the origin, you can explore the world through your cup. Specialty coffee celebrates these nuances, allowing us to savor the differences in flavor that arise naturally based on where the beans were grown. It’s much like wine tasting, each region offers a unique experience.
2. Terroir Matters
The term terroir, borrowed from wine culture, refers to the unique environmental factors, like soil composition, rainfall, and altitude, that shape the flavor of agricultural products. Coffee is no exception.
For example:
- Beans grown in Ethiopia’s Sidamo region, with its high altitude and volcanic soil, often carry vibrant fruitiness and floral aromas.
- Costa Rican beans, grown in mountainous areas with mineral-rich soils, tend to offer bright acidity and citrus notes.
Even if two farms process their beans in the same way, terroir ensures they will taste distinct. Specialty coffee honors this diversity, encouraging coffee lovers to explore the unique tastes of regions worldwide. different from beans grown in the mountains of Costa Rica, even if they undergo the same processing and roasting.
Farmers Are the Unsung Heroes
1. Dedication to Quality
Specialty coffee doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of farmers who dedicate their lives to growing high-quality coffee under challenging conditions. These farmers often work on small, family-run farms and use traditional, hands-on practices to nurture their coffee crops. Each step, from planting to hand-picking ripe cherries, requires immense care and attention.
2. Sustainability in Practice
Many specialty coffee farmers prioritize sustainable farming methods. This includes:
- Using natural fertilizers and avoiding harmful pesticides.
- Protecting biodiversity by planting shade trees and supporting native ecosystems.
- Reducing water waste during coffee processing.
These practices not only protect the environment but also improve the quality of the coffee.
3. Direct Trade and Fair Wages
One of the things I appreciate most about specialty coffee is its emphasis on ethical sourcing. Farmers are often paid higher wages through direct trade relationships. Direct trade eliminates unnecessary middlemen, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their work. This additional income allows them to improve their farms, support their families, and invest in their communities.
When you buy specialty coffee, you’re not just getting a better cup, you’re contributing to a better future for coffee-growing regions worldwide.
Precision in Roasting
Roasting is where the magic happens. Unlike commercial coffee, which is often roasted to a dark, bitter finish to mask defects, specialty coffee undergoes precision roasting to bring out the unique qualities of the bean.
1. Roasting Profiles
Roasters experiment with temperature, timing, and airflow to create a “roast profile” tailored to each coffee. This profile ensures the flavors are developed without losing the bean’s natural characteristics. For instance:
- Light Roast: Highlights fruity, floral, and acidic notes.
- Medium Roast: Balances body and acidity, offering sweet and smooth flavors.
- Dark Roast: Provides bold, smoky, and chocolatey tones.
2. The Art of Balance
Precision roasting is both a science and an art. It requires roasters to carefully monitor every stage, from the initial drying phase to the development and final crack.
When I first tasted a light-roasted Ethiopian coffee, I was stunned. It tasted like blueberries, something I never thought possible in coffee. That’s the beauty of specialty coffee: it surprises and delights.
Brewing Techniques Matter
Even the best beans can taste bad if brewed poorly. Brewing specialty coffee requires precision and care to ensure you get the most out of your beans.
1. Popular Brewing Methods
- Pour-Over: This method delivers clean, bright flavors by allowing water to flow slowly through the coffee grounds.
- French Press: Known for producing a rich, full-bodied cup, perfect for those who enjoy robust flavors.
- Espresso: A fast, pressurized brew that extracts intense, concentrated coffee.
- Cold Brew: Steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours results in a smooth, refreshing drink with lower acidity.
2. Experimentation is Key
Each brewing method accentuates different aspects of the coffee. Try experimenting with grind size, water temperature, and brewing time to discover what works best for your beans.
Conclusion
Specialty coffee is so much more than just a caffeinated beverage; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and community. It tells the story of farmers who cultivate it with care, roasters who refine its flavors, and coffee lovers who savor it with appreciation. Every cup represents an intricate process, from the soil where the beans grow to the precise techniques used to brew it.
Investing in specialty coffee means choosing quality, supporting ethical practices, and enjoying coffee the way it was meant to taste. It’s an opportunity to elevate your daily ritual into a truly special experience.
So, the next time you take a sip of specialty coffee, think about its journey. You’re not just drinking coffee, you’re part of a global movement that values people, sustainability, and extraordinary flavor. And trust me, once you experience it, you’ll never go back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee refers to coffee that scores 80+ points on the Specialty Coffee Association’s (SCA) grading scale. It’s recognized for its superior flavor, aroma, and bean integrity compared to mass-produced coffee.
How is specialty coffee different from regular coffee?
Specialty coffee undergoes a rigorous process of careful sourcing, quality control, and precision roasting. In contrast, regular coffee is often mass-produced with lower-quality beans and less attention to flavor.
What brewing method works best for specialty coffee?
While methods like pour-over, French press, and espresso highlight the coffee’s natural flavors, the “best” method depends on your preference. Experimenting with techniques lets you discover what suits your taste.
Why is specialty coffee more expensive?
Specialty coffee costs more because it involves ethical sourcing, higher wages for farmers, and meticulous steps, from growing and harvesting to roasting, to ensure top quality. You’re paying for the craftsmanship and sustainability behind every cup.
Can I brew specialty coffee at home?
Absolutely! Brewing specialty coffee at home is easier than you think. All you need are high-quality beans, the right tools (like a pour-over dripper, French press, or espresso machine), and attention to detail. With a little practice, you’ll be making barista-quality coffee every day.
