What does specialty coffee mean?
Specialty coffee refers to high-quality coffee that is meticulously cultivated, processed, and roasted to showcase its unique flavors and characteristics. This term is used to describe coffee that scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale utilized by coffee graders. Here are the key elements that distinguish specialty coffee:
High-Quality Beans
Specialty coffee is made from the finest coffee beans, often sourced from specific regions, farms, or even micro-lots. These beans are typically grown at higher elevations and under optimal conditions, allowing them to develop more complex flavors.
Careful Processing
The beans are processed with great care, often using methods such as washed, natural, or honey processing. These techniques can enhance unique flavors that vary from one region to another.
Expert Roasting
Specialty coffee is roasted to highlight the beans' natural flavors. -Roasters employ precise techniques to bring out the best qualities of -each bean—whether fruity, floral, nutty, or chocolaty—without -overwhelming them with burnt or bitter notes.