In the coffee world, “specialty” is a word that gets tossed around a lot. But what does it actually mean? And why should you care?
Specialty coffee is different than the kind you might find in your local grocery store. It’s made with higher-quality beans that are sourced from all over the world.
What makes specialty coffee so special is the flavor and complexity of the cup. If you’re looking for a truly unique and delicious experience, then specialty coffee is definitely worth checking out.
Coffee drinkers have two options when it comes to what they drink — regular or specialty coffee. But what’s the difference between those two, and why should you care?
Specialty coffee is coffee that has been ethically sourced, often from a single origin, and is of a higher quality than regular coffee. The coffee beans are roasted to bring out their unique flavors, and the coffee is generally served fresh and without additives.
While specialty coffee can be more expensive than regular coffee, many coffee drinkers believe that it’s worth the extra cost. In addition to its superior taste, specialty coffee is also more environmentally friendly and supports the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. So, if you’re looking for a quality cup of coffee, make sure to try specialty coffee.
The Specialty Coffee Journey
After the long journey coffee travels from a planted seed to your cup, it’s important that you take care of each step along this process.
If even one bean gets spoiled during these crucial early stages, then all hope may be lost for valuable specialty coffees such as Arabica and Robusta because their quality will quickly diminish into nothing more than bitter tasting “cat pee.”
Let me clear one thing up here, No I haven’t tried Cat Pee!
If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee, the first step is to know what kind. There are many types in different qualities that can suit your taste and requirements; however most don’t offer transparency into where they were grown or how it was processed.
For me personally that makes them less desirable than speciality coffees which have a guaranteed quality throughout all stages from farm-to-cup!
Specialty coffee is coffee that has been grown in specific conditions, handpicked, and then roasted to perfection. The taste of specialty coffee is incomparable to regular coffee – it’s richer, more complex, and has more depth of flavor.
But besides the taste, one of the major differences between specialty and regular coffee is that specialty coffee is actually good for you in more ways than just taste.
The caffeine in specialty coffee is absorbed by your body slower, so you get a sustained energy boost rather than a quick jolt followed by a crash.
Specialty coffee also contains more antioxidants than regular coffee, which can help protect your cells from damage and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
A lot of people think that because studies show coffee has antioxidants and other health benefits, that means they can drink as much as they want without any consequences.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just like with anything else, moderation is key.
And when it comes to caffeine, it’s best to stick to specialty coffee instead of downing multiple cups of regular coffee which can have negative side effects like jitters, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
Everything in moderation and you’ll be just fine!
When it comes to coffee, there’s a lot more to choose from than just regular or specialty.
Coffee production is a long and complicated process, and coffee beans go through a lot of different steps before they end up in your cup.
In order to understand how coffee beans, become specialty coffee, you need to know about the coffee production process from start to finish.
Coffee plants grow on coffee plantations. The coffee cherries are picked by hand and then sorted by ripeness. The coffee cherries are then processed, either by dry processing or wet processing.
Dry processed coffee is made without any water, and wet processed coffee is made with water.
After the coffee beans are processed, they’re roasted at high temperatures. Coffee roasting is a complex process, and different roasters use different techniques to produce their coffee.
Finally, the coffee beans are ground and brewed to make coffee.
The coffee production process is long and complicated, but it’s worth learning about if you want to choose the best coffee for your needs.
By understanding the different steps involved in making coffee, you can make sure that you’re getting the type of coffee that you want.
Whether you prefer regular or specialty coffee, there’s a type of coffee out there just for you!
So, let go on the Specialty Coffee Journey!
Growing & Processing Specialty Coffee
Coffee’s journey begins long before it reaches your cup.
It all starts with a coffee seed, which is planted and carefully nurtured until it grows into a coffee tree, which usually takes 3 – 4 years and its then that the tree will show its first red fruits.
The two most popular types of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica coffee is softer and tastier, but it’s also more difficult to grow.
Robusta coffee is more bitter, but it’s easier to cultivate.
The vast majority of coffee beans – around 80% – are Arabica. However, Robusta coffee beans are gaining in popularity, especially among specialty coffee growers.
In fact, around 10% of all coffee consumed in the world is made from Robusta beans.
Whether you prefer Arabica or Robusta coffee, the journey from seed to cup is an amazing one.
Coffee is mainly harvested by hand. The coffee beans are very delicate and need to be handled with care in order to preserve their quality.
There are two main ways of picking coffee beans: strip picking and selective picking.
Strip picking is a quicker process where all the coffee cherries are harvested at once, regardless of whether they are raw or ripe. This is usually done by machine.
Selective hand picking is a more time-consuming process, but it gives a better result. Only the ripe coffee cherries are picked by hand, one by one. This ensures that only the best beans are used.
Raw coffee beans are not as flavoursome and can spoil the batch. Picking coffee beans by hand is a labour-intensive process, but it is worth it in order to get the best possible coffee.
Once the coffee picking is complete, the coffee beans have to be processed as quickly as possible to prevent spoilage.
The coffee processing methods are dry, semi-dry, and wet.
Dry processed coffee is the most common method and involves leaving the coffee cherries out in the sun to dry.
Semi-dry processed coffee is also known as pulped natural coffee and involves removing the coffee pulp before drying.
Wet processed coffee is also called washed coffee and involves soaking the coffee cherries in water to remove the coffee pulp. The coffee beans are then dried and sorted by size before being roasted.
Roasting coffee beans transforms them from a green color to brown and brings out their flavor. To prevent coffee beans from being spoiled, they must be roasted within two weeks of being picked.
Just so as you get an idea of how popular coffee is, in 2021 there was over 10.4 million tons of coffee produced!
Worldwide we consume about 173 million bags of coffee a year – that’s over 10 million tons of coffee. Coffee tastes like a little piece of heaven
Roasting Specialty Coffee
If you want to test your coffee like a pro, you’ll need to learn how to cup it. Cupping is the process that coffee professionals use to assess the quality of roasted and brewed beans.
To cup coffee, the taster (or cupper) first smells the dry beans to check their freshness. Then, they brew a small sample of the beans and let it cool. Once cooled, the cupper evaluates the coffee’s aroma and flavor, as well as its body and acidity.
The cupper will also take note of any defects in the coffee. Finally, they’ll score the coffee on a scale of 1-100.
By learning how to cup coffee, you’ll be able to test your beans like a pro and ensure that you’re always getting the best-tasting coffee possible.
Coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures, typically between 230 and 260 degrees Celsius. The coffee is kept moving during roasting to ensure that the beans roast evenly.
When the beans’ inner temperature reaches 230 degrees Celsius, the oil inside them begins to emerge.
As the coffee continues to roast, the beans turn from green to brown and their flavor and aroma develop.
Once the coffee has been roasted to the desired level, it is cooled quickly to stop the roasting process. The coffee is then transferred to an airtight container where it can be stored for 2-30 days.
Roasting coffee beans is essential to unlocking their flavor and aroma. By carefully controlling the roasting process, coffee roasters can create a coffee with a range of flavors and aromas.
Time to Grind & Brew That Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee is coffee that is grown, processed, roasted, and brewed with great care and attention to detail. The coffee must meet strict quality standards and be of a certain grade in order to be considered specialty coffee.
The coffee industry has developed a specialty coffee culture in recent years, and there is a growing demand for high-quality coffee. As a result, more and more coffee growers, processors, roasters, and brewers are taking the time to learn about the coffee-making process and how to produce the best possible product.
Specialty coffee is typically more expensive than mass-produced coffee, but it is worth it for the higher quality and care that goes into each cup.
5 Health Benefits of Specialty Coffee
1. Coffee Brings Out the Usain Bolt in You!
The morning cup of Joe is the perfect pick me up for any athlete. A recent study found that coffee can increase your performance by 11-12% if you drink it about an hour before training!
Caffeine also increases adrenaline levels in our blood which helps us prepare to go hard during a workout, or flight away from danger if need be…
So next time life gets tough just remember black gold will get ya through anything!!!
2. Could The Black Gold Help You Shed Some Kilos?
Coffee is a godsend for those looking to lose weight. This morning brew contains magnesium and potassium which helps regulate insulin levels, reducing your craving by regulating blood sugar levels in the body!
3. Protect Your Body with Specialty Coffee!
When you’re feeling under the weather, a cup of coffee can be just what your body needs to get back on track. Coffee contains many different antioxidants that fight against free radicals in our bodies and help us stay healthy!
4. The Brain Protector
It’s not just the morning cup of joe that can keep your brain in check. A study found high caffeine levels are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer disease and dementia, so enjoy that second mocha while you still have teeth!
5. Stay Alert with Specialty Coffee
The more coffee you drink, the better your mind will be. The magic number for good cognitive function is one cup per day – but if that’s not enough then 2-6 cups can really help out!
Specialty Coffee, Is It Good or Bad for You?
Coffee may not be the best option if you’re pregnant or have high cholesterol.
A cup of joe might also contain too many calories for someone who’s dieting, so keep that in mind before ordering another latte!
The beneficial effects of drinking black specialty coffee on heart health are largely attributed to its ability in lowering cholesterol.
However, there is some research that suggests pregnant women and children may be sensitive towards caffeine so they should avoid consuming too much.
Give your body what it needs to stay healthy and happy! Coffee can prevent serious diseases, boost the mind-body connection in both individuals who drink it regularly or infrequently (specialty coffee is better), help with weight loss when paired up properly – but remember that as long as you’re drinking toxin free filter brews then any type will do.
Specialty Coffee FAQ’s
Is Coffee Healthy or Unhealthy?
Coffee is a complex beverage that has been associated with many health benefits. It’s high in antioxidants and linked to reduced risks of disease, but it also contains caffeine which can cause problems for some people who have anxiety or trouble sleeping due the alertness effect on their system (and disrupts sleep).
What Are The Negatives of Drinking Coffee?
Coffee is a popular beverage around the world, with many people enjoying their morning cup of Joe. But did you know that caffeine in coffee can cause insomnia? It also has other side effects like nervousness and restlessness to make matters worse for those who consume it regularly or at high doses over time (more than four cups per day).
Should I Drink Coffee Everyday?
Although coffee is one of the most popular beverages in America, it can also have negative effects on your health. Coffee causes problems when taken too often or in large quantities because excessive amounts could cause digestive tract issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis which are both very painful conditions to deal with for sufferers! Studies show that 3 – 4 cups per day doesn’t seem harmful.
Which Coffee Is Healthy?
Hot-brewed black coffee is the healthiest way to enjoy your favorite morning beverage. One cup has virtually no calories or carbs, tons of benefits for your heart such as lowering cholesterol and increasing blood flow without adding excess sugar—and it’s low in sodium too! Black brewed drinks also contain micronutrients like potassium that can help keep you feeling energized all day long with a little boost here & there from magnesium &niacin
Specialty Coffee Wrap Up
So, what is specialty coffee? Simply put, it’s coffee that meets a higher standard. The beans are sourced from the best growers and roasted to perfection. And because of all this care and attention, the end result is a cup of coffee that tastes amazing.
But there’s more to it than just great taste. Specialty coffee also has some impressive health benefits. It can help you lose weight, improve your brain function, and even reduce your risk of cancer. In other words, specialty coffee is the only way to go if you want the best possible cup of joe. Are you ready to join the ranks of specialty coffee drinkers?
Hey Fellow Coffee Addicts, it really is a coffee buzz to meet you and I hope you enjoyed reading this post. my name is mark and i am the CEO and founder of just another cuppa coffee. if you took the time to read this entire article i really do thank you, and please share it with your coffee loving friends. Don’t forget to leave your comments and questions below and we will get back to you. sip, sip Hooray!
wow, informative article. The coffee process journey before it comes to the cup is not a small one but worth it. Where I come from in Africa, we are not used to drinking coffee, my first experience with coffee was a funny one. When I moved to the UK newly, a colleague offered me a cup because we were having a busy night. After like an hour I started feeling funny, palpitations, and changes to my breathing. My body was generally disorganized. Everyone was worried but nobody thought coffee was the cause.
Take with caution if you are not yet used to it and go for a light one. I am happy my body is now used to coffee and I am enjoying it, especially at work.
Many coffee lovers have become very selective in their choice of coffee that they want to brew at home. Finding speciality coffee that is unique and also delicious, has become a quest for many coffee lovers. Speciality coffee is often sourced from eco friendly and ethical farmers, and a higher quality is retained during the harvesting and roasting processes.
Speciality coffee is certainly worth the extra bit that one might have to pay for it.
Well, it looks like I may be switching to long blacks after reading this awesome post. If ever you wondered about anything pertaining to coffee, here it is. I drink 4 cups a day and have had coffee in USA, Australia, and Europe. I love my coffee. I am writing this comment with my coffee matters T-shirt on! I like the health benefits part and now I know a bit more about picking a great cup of coffee! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed the read Steven.
I love coffee a lot, but I have to admit that I have never tried this. We really should call it special because of its ingredients. I would like to try this kind of coffee, I believe it is much different from the one I am used to. You could even say that this coffee is healthy.
Thanks Bojana
Coffee drinkers are increasingly picky about their beans to make their own brews at home. Many coffee connoisseurs are on a mission to find unusual and tasty speciality coffees. Coffee sourced from environmentally and ethically responsible producers are more likely to be of higher quality during the harvesting and roasting stages.
Even if it costs an additional dollar or two, speciality coffee is well worth it.
Elke
Thanks Elke.