Specialty coffee refers to very high-quality coffees, grown, harvested, and processed with care to preserve their unique characteristics. It is defined by strict criteria established by organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
- Specialty coffees are distinguished by a score exceeding 80 out of 100 – the SCA score – during certified tastings by Q-Graders (professional tasters).
- These coffees have full traceability back to the farm of origin and sustainable cultivation methods. They are hand-picked, precisely processed, and artisanally roasted to reveal unique aromas.
- Finally, they offer an exceptional taste experience thanks to the expertise of baristas who master their preparation.
Specialty coffee can be compared to the emergence of natural wine or craft beer, which have disrupted traditional norms and are now essential in most establishments and points of sale.
In a few points:
Which organizations determine the score?
The Specialty Coffee Association, an international organization founded in 1982, promotes coffee excellence from seed to cup. Present in over 70 countries, it brings together more than 1,500 members (producers, roasters, and baristas) around a common mission. The CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) trains "QGraders." Their role is to evaluate coffee based on several sensory criteria.
What is the scoring system?
The score is the sum of nine criteria ranging from acidity, aftertaste, body, and finish. The score can go up to 100, and specialty coffee must have a minimum score of 80.
Tiers defined by roasters
Based on the coffee's scoring, roasters define tiers to guide consumers.
- 80–84 points: Specialty coffees.
- 85–88 points: Exceptional coffees.
- 88 points and +: Grand crus, excellence coffees.
The score is not just a number. This number speaks of technique and terroir, but it doesn't tell you what you will like. The score measures objective quality. Pleasure, however, remains subjective, and it's up to you to discover what you will enjoy in your cup...
