In this short article we will define and explain what is specialty coffee, single origin and blend. What they are, how they are classified in terms of quality and where to find them.
To contextualise, I call coffee any beverage made out of coffee such as cappuccino, flat white, filter coffees which could be made out of many different methods, espresso and so on. On this article I will refer to coffee as merely black whether it is made using a filtered method, espresso or others.
To fully understand what is Specialty coffee we should first comprehend other rankings of the coffee quality chain, which to simplify it I would define such as:
Commercial : The coffee you purchase from large brands, roasted and sold in bulk. You’ll find these products in almost any shop, regular cafe and supermarket around the world, thanks to their popularity and business structures. They are often sold as instant coffee, capsules, or even whole beans, usually roasted darker. The quality is medium - low to keep selling price low and profit margin high. The traceability of the product unsure as well as other informations such as, roasting date and so on.
High quality : This are often micro - roastery trying to differentiate themselves from commercial by buying higher quality coffees. Although they try to buy better quality products, these can be ruined at any stage of the chain due to lack of investment towards formation, information, processing methods, knowledge and business development which can lead to downgrade not only the coffee but also the business itself.
Specialty coffee : The technical definition of specialty coffee refer to a coffee that has scored over 80 points on a 100 point scale by the SCA, Speciality Coffee Association. To qualify as a specialty coffee, the beans have to be graded by certified coffee tasters - Q graders.
I like to add to the definition that specialty should combine all what’s written above to a great cafe general experience and vibe. Specialty coffee is the perfect marriage of a higher quality product served to consumers with professionalisms and knowledge creating a unique and satisfying Experience, which increases the value of coffee.
Specialty differs from regular coffees in the sense that they are often grown at higher elevations, are traceable and processed carefully once harvested. Every step from growing to brewing is monitored, studied, measured and understood to improve quality and keep it consistent.
It is a true masterpiece of coffee production , made possible by farmers who really craft a unique, rifined, premium product and afterwards by the rest of the supply chain, who has the role of carefully storing, treating, roasting, brewing it and educate consumers to perceive the high value attached to it.
In this model, the whole coffee chain works as a team to elevate the product. The barista takes on a role of increased value: educator of a coffee drinking establishment that matches the tastes and interests of its consumers and is knowledgeable in that matter. Higher value means increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as increased earnings for the business and its suppliers.
Single Origin and Blend coffee
You will often find 2 different categories of coffee offering at a specialty Coffee shop :
Single origin
Blends
So what is a blend and what is single origin coffee and why do we bother so much about it ?
Single origin : As you can imagine is as simple as a coffee grown within a single geographic region. Is merely the result of the development and maturation of a higher tier of quality within the broad range of coffees that we define as specialty. The concept of single origin coffee is to offer one good coffee with distinct taste characteristics and accompanying information that describes its unique source, the farm, land, people, climate, cultivar, processing, etc, in as much detail as possible. Its quality is transparent and so its informations.
Blends : Are single origin coffees mixed together. Blends are used for two reasons; financial control and flavour consistency. Being an agricoltural product, coffee’s characteristics, qualities and therefore prices aren't 100% consistent throughout the year, it is conditioned by many different factors making it extremely seasonal.
Blends are built around flavour profiles, rather than specific component coffees. Using what's available in the current season to build the given flavour profile, adjusting the ratio or even the number of coffee components as needed. You might notice slight variations throughout the year, but roasters can manipulate components to accommodate origin availability, price differential fluctuations and seasonal flavour changes in order to maintain a consistent product at a reasonable price. A blend is the distinct signature taste profile of a cafe, its most consistent and personal product.
Single origin coffees are served when better individual lots are available, their unique characteristics are good enough to make them shine and stand alone and would be a shame to combine them with others.
The next time you are sipping a cup of coffee, take 10 seconds to think what is behind that cup, to think to its quality, whether you like it or not and whether you would love to pay a little more to an overall greater and more satisfying experience.
If you would like to have a chat regarding in-depth details such as where to purchase great quality coffees that suits your taste, either online or in a physical store; Hit the “learn more” button now.
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“Be curious, not judgmental ”
All the above is based on our personal and professional experience, it is what we believe and what brought us here writing this guide.Onto the way to success there are no rules, just commitment and consistency.Ultimately the is no right and wrong but only different ways of thinking, different approaches and different methods.There is no perfection but only progression.Do not believe who says to know everything. Learning is ongoing and endless.What we believe is right today might be wrong tomorrow, stay always up to date.
Be curious.
I wrote this hoping to inspire others! If you made it to read all of this to the end..
THANK YOU !