What's a Specialty Coffee?
More and more frequently, we hear about Specialty Coffee, and attentive individuals may have noticed that the market is gradually expanding with "special" coffee offerings. This trend, similar to what has happened in other industries in the past, such as oil and wine, is beginning to attract the curious ones who seek as much information as possible to make an informed choice in their quest for quality. But when someone approaches Specialty Coffee, what should they know before making a purchase?
Specialty Coffees are quality-certified coffees (each of our Specialty Coffees is accompanied by a certificate certifying its score) and are referred to as such when they embody the following characteristics:
A) Defined Quality: The quality score is assigned by Q-Graders who follow the tasting protocol of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). All Arabica qualities with a score above 80 points can be classified as Specialty Coffees (from 80 to 85 points: very good / from 85 to 90 points: excellent / from 90 to 100 points: exceptional).
B) Defect-Free: Specialty Coffee must be free from any aromatic or flavor defects that could negatively impact the coffee's quality.
C) Traceability: Each coffee should have full traceability regarding its production area, producer, processing method, botanical variety, harvest, altitude, and descriptive details. There should be no secrets surrounding the coffee.
D) Description: Specialty Coffee has a distinct identity, characteristic flavors, and specific aromas. Each coffee should have a detailed profile describing all the taste and olfactory impressions during the cupping process.
Every day, we strive to share what not everyone knows, aiming to describe each quality in detail and provide complete traceability from origin, quality, botanical variety, and processing method to a precise description of the cupping results. We believe that every coffee should have no secrets, and that's why we created this continuously evolving portal in 2018, making it available to roasters and coffee enthusiasts.
