Coffee FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions

Specialty coffee has undergone a meticulous transformative process from  seed to cup. It is defined as green coffee beans of the highest quality, produced in unique geographical microclimates, roasted to their greatest flavor potential. 

Based on Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards, the green bean sample should have no defects, a distinctive flavor profile, and a grade of 80 and above.

Commercial coffee does not meet the 80 points mark in terms of quality and often includes some form of defect. Commercial coffees are usually roasted and packed in large plants and manufactured by nationally or internationally-advertised brand names. Typically, these are packed in bottles, jars, collapsed plastic-encased bricks, or tins and come already ground or in ready-to-drink form.

Specialty coffee, in contrast, meets the 80+ points out of 100 and is often sold where it was roasted. These are usually roasted in small batches and delivered as whole beans. Specialty coffee often needs to be ground and brewed before drinking, however the market has made significant headway into producing specialty forms of coffee products like capsules, instant and drip bag coffees.