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What is Specialty Coffee and How is it Graded
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Specialty Coffee Grading
Published May 31, 2023
Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Do you want to know what sets speciality coffee apart from the regular types found in most eateries and stores? This guide will delve into all that makes it unique, like its history, intricate grading system and those behind making sure of high-quality products from farm to cup. Join us as we explore this flavorful expedition. Grab a mug of your favourite speciality brew while discovering "what is a speciality coffee and how is it graded".
Short Summary
- Speciality coffee is a grade of exceptional taste and aroma, rated 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale.
- The process of grading speciality coffee involves visual inspection, professional tasting, and identifying defects to ensure the highest quality beans are used.
- Speciality coffees are grown in over 50 countries worldwide, with key players including growers, roasters, distributors & retailers all contributing to its high-quality products & experiences.
The Essence of Specialty Coffee
Speciality coffee is an esteemed variety of brewed drinks that holds a rating higher than 80 points out of 100 on the scale. This type of premium bean grows at high altitudes with specialized care from farmers for its distinct flavour profile specific to the area in which it was grown. Its introduction into popular usage first took place during the 1970s and since then has gained more attention among avid espresso aficionados seeking quality over quantity when choosing their beverages.
With speciality grade beans making up roughly 20 per cent of America’s java consumption today, they have left a lasting impact throughout the world's coffee industry by meeting strict criteria such as elevation levels and optimal seasonality within certain regions along with fertile soil conditions contributing to excellent taste characteristics not present in non-speciality drinks. The term speciality encapsulates all these components together harmoniously displaying why many may crave that same cupful or shots daily without any hesitation if trying craft roasters versus traditional forms available commercially elsewhere nowadays too allowing unique experiences time after time tasting!
The Scoring System
To be classified as a speciality grade, coffee needs to receive a score of at least 80 points out of 100. Such high-quality and sought-after coffees are evaluated by certified tasters who assign the grades based on cupping scores, signifying an outstanding brew which is typically utilized for roasting blends. To qualify as speciality beans, no Primary defects can exist. While only up to five Secondary issues such as allowing broken or sour beans should not impact the overall quality & flavour too much.
Speciality vs. Commercial Coffee
Speciality coffee is in a class of its own due to its superior quality, unique flavours and processing techniques that are not often seen with commercial varieties. Popular speciality coffees such as Arabica, Ethiopian, Kenyan or Sumatran showcase the exquisite taste and aroma which sets them apart from other blends.
The difference between both can be found in their method of preparation, speciality beans. Undergo natural drying processes on elevated beds so they have an incredibly smooth flavour profile while conventional ones may omit this step resulting in less complex tastes.
The Journey of Specialty Coffee
The speciality coffee industry has a long history, beginning in the early 20th century when high-end establishments like Hotel du Crillon requested distinct coffees from Guatemala. The term "speciality coffee" was first used in print by Tea and Coffee Trade Journal around 1970, marking an important change in the development of this area.
Thanks to advances such as improved agricultural practices, roasting processes and brewing technology – plus a surging demand for quality beans – there is now incredible growth within the UK's speciality coffee market, which shows 17% year-on-year success!
These improvements have allowed customers worldwide to appreciate exceptional varieties of Java that would not previously be available otherwise. Leading to rapid expansion throughout specialist markets across all continents.
Pioneers in Specialty Coffee
The coffee industry has seen a surge in its appreciation for quality and speciality coffees thanks to influential figures such as Erna Knutsen, Oren Bloostein, Anette Moldvaer and James Hoffmann of Square Mile Coffee Roasters. One of the most prominent organizations credited with furthering this growth is Starbucks, which has exposed millions around the world to exceptional flavours associated with speciality beverages. These pioneers brought about an awareness that extended beyond just high-grade caffeine giving birth to new tiers within the contemporary coffee culture.
Evolution of Coffee Grading Techniques
In the coffee industry, grading techniques have drastically changed since 1910 when a cupping system was introduced in warehouses and harbours as part of quality control for large-scale commercial orders. Today, there is an increasing demand for speciality coffees, which is being overseen by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). The SCA ranks these premium beans using a score out of 100 to decide if they meet their standards for speciality grade requirements - ensuring only truly high-quality coffees are distributed within the market.
The Art and Science of Coffee Grading
Evaluating speciality coffee is a combination of art and science, which requires an experienced eye and palate to judge the beans' quality. To do this grading, professional tasters called Q Graders are needed for analyzing its looks, fragrance, and flavour profile including acidity levels body properties along with aftertaste.
To guarantee top-notch grade as well as give customers more choice when it comes to their desired cup of joe. Specialty Coffee Association created systemised evaluation protocols specifically designed with premium varieties in mind. Making sure that only excellent taste gets served into the mugs of true connoisseurs thus offering them unparalleled indulgence from each sip they take!
Visual Inspection
Speciality coffee's flavour, aroma and overall quality depend on visually inspecting the green beans. A sample of 350g of these unroasted types is inspected to ensure their calibre is high enough for an exquisite cup. Defects which do not meet the criteria need discarding to have a delicious beverage at home. The assurance that only premium beans go into production ensures its excellence can be maintained throughout time. Coffee grading provides confidence in product superiority and keeps speciality drinkers returning consistently with pleasure expectations intact each time they enjoy it!
Cupping and Tasting
The SCA coffee grading system includes the important step of cupping to evaluate each bean’s flavour, aroma, and other qualities. Certified Q Graders use this process to assign a score that allows for precise distinctions between coffees. These ratings are vital in guaranteeing that those seeking an exceptional experience get only top-tier speciality-grade beans, something all true coffee lovers appreciate. The importance of carefully evaluating via tasting during the evaluation stage cannot be understated when it comes to ensuring quality standards remain at their highest levels with every cup served!
Identifying Defects
For a superior speciality coffee, visual inspection and cupping must be done to detect defects in the beans. Primary defects like sour and black beans can have an immense impact on the grade of the product. That is why zero primary flaws are required for it to qualify as speciality coffee. On top of this, secondary problems such as broken pieces should not exceed five or else its aroma, flavour and overall quality will suffer greatly. This rigorous screening process guarantees those who love their brew get only premium-tasting java with optimal performance every time they indulge themselves!
Global Origins of Specialty Coffee
Speciality coffee is grown in countless places around the world, with more than fifty nations currently cultivating these outstanding beans. The terrain and environmental factors of each region – like height above sea level, soil quality and weather conditions, contribute to the distinct taste profiles found in speciality coffee.
Beginning from Ethiopia where it all began up through Colombia's lush mountaintops, coffees derived from different regions across the globe deliver unparalleled flavours that are a delight for avid consumers everywhere!
With demand for top-shelf Java growing ever higher every day. You can be sure there'll always be plenty of exotic new varieties available worldwide for curious aficionados to explore over time as well.
Renowned Coffee-Producing Countries
The speciality coffee industry is expanding rapidly, and many countries are renowned for their prime-quality beans that come with distinct flavour profiles. Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia stand out in particular due to the favourable conditions of their high-altitude regions along with fertile soils which contribute to the unique taste of these premium coffees enjoyed by lovers around the globe. This popularity has secured them a place as leading examples within this sector, setting benchmarks on quality while demonstrating excellence when it comes to aroma and overall character throughout all types of brews related to coffee consumption!
Emerging Coffee Regions
As the speciality coffee industry continues to flourish, numerous emerging regions are leaving their mark by producing an array of new and exciting coffees for coffee lovers around the world. In particular, Panama is becoming renowned in this area due to its unique microclimates and rich soils, which offer enormous potential in terms of specialization. Indonesia is also noteworthy when it comes to high-quality brews as they have various areas such as Java, Sulawesi, Flores and Sumatra that produce them excellently. Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica, along with Ethiopia add value while participating significantly within this ever-expanding sector.
These burgeoning markets keep adding different flavours that enable patrons from across all strata’s enjoy indulging in some freshness regularly. Thus regardless of whether one prefers handcrafted single origin or blends crafted over time, each cup brings out something distinct every time!
Key Players in the Specialty Coffee Chain
The speciality coffee industry is dependent on the many roles in its production chain - from farmer to roaster, and distributor to retailer. With consumer demand growing for quality beans and artisanal roast profiles, each of these figures must use their skill sets to meet this heightened expectation.
Coffee growers have a crucial role in obtaining top-tier varieties while green buyers need good judgement when selecting new batches. Expert roasters are needed to perfect that desired profile into something enjoyable for all customers. Consequently, every part involved plays an important role if one wants a superb cup of coffee, which can only be accomplished through a collective effort between all key players within this thriving sector.
The Coffee Farmer
Coffee farmers play a vital role in the speciality coffee sector thanks to their commitment and proficiency when it comes to cultivating quality beans. To create the exceptional products that are desired by customers of this industry, these farmers must modify their farming methods according to certain altitudes and weather conditions, resulting in extraordinary flavours for which speciality coffees are known.
To grow and gather the grains required from commercial production operations, they also perform tasks such as trimming foliage branches off trees, fertilizing soil nutrients levels, and clearing away weeds & pests hazards across farms – all while ensuring premium standards remain met within speciality grade grain parameters along with total crop safety measures. The hard work done by them is essential to keeping up productivity expectations as well as supporting economic growth sustainability related to both Commercial Coffee & Specialty Coffee Industries.
The Green Coffee Buyer
Specialty coffee has an essential role to play in the industry and it is up to certified green buyers to ensure this quality. Their duties include sourcing, purchasing, and pricing negotiation with producers/exporters as well as assessing beans by cupping for origin information, flavour profiles & brewing recommendations that help preserve high-standard speciality coffees – getting them into customers' cups at their finest. They have a knack for recognizing top-notch coffee, which guarantees consumers get only the best cup of Joe available.
The Roaster
The process of roasting speciality coffee beans is an important element in the journey from farm to cup. Roasters need to delicately control the procedure, elevating preferred flavours and fragrances while creating special java variations for consumers. It aids significantly with reducing the acidity levels of the beans, which makes them more appealing to a wide variety of coffee drinkers. By skillfully cooking these coffees and concocting novel blends, they make sure that all distinct tastes and smells are well-represented to offer enthusiasts top-notch flavour experiences.
Summary
As the speciality coffee industry continues to develop and diversify, the appreciation for it among true coffee lovers has grown too. All steps of this exquisite journey are a testament to passion - from sourcing superior beans, through accurate grading techniques up to roasters' experienced hands that make each cup special. The next time you get your morning fix or enjoy an afternoon cuppa joy in its distinct flavours and unique properties, remember how many people have contributed towards delivering such extraordinary experiences into your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between coffee and speciality coffee?
When comparing coffee and speciality coffee, it is the production process that sets them apart. While commercial varieties are created in bulk batches, a finer quality of espresso can be achieved through roasting and preparing speciality beans with more care. Every roast for this kind of beverage must go through rigorous testing to ensure its consistency before being released onto store shelves. Hence providing customers with a much higher-grade product than traditional blends offer.
How is speciality coffee graded?
Using the SCAA Cupping form, speciality coffee is scored on a 100-point scale. And any score over 80 denotes it as a speciality grade. The highest achievable mark 100 represents the outstanding quality of the beverage. Anything within the 85-89.99 range implies that this type of java has excellent properties while those scoring from 80 to 84.99 are evaluated as very good coffees in terms of flavour and taste characteristics respectively.
What is Grade 1 speciality coffee?
Speciality coffee of grade 1 offers a distinguished flavour for connoisseurs to appreciate. As cupping reveals, this type of bean has distinctive features in terms of taste and aroma along with remarkable body acidity, all beans are perfectly roasted as well!
Thus, it is an extraordinary experience that can only be achieved by drinking this unique quality coffee.
How are coffees graded?
To produce the best coffee, we sort hulled green beans by size and weight. Before roasting and sampling (cupping) them for their flavour. This process allows us to choose only the finest quality coffee beans.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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