If you've ever found yourself intrigued by the term "specialty coffee" and wondered what sets it apart from the coffee you drink every day, you've come to the right place. In this exploration of the world of specialty coffee, we'll delve into its unique characteristics, why it's considered special, and the meticulous process behind every cup.
The Coffee Spectrum: Specialty vs. Commodity
Before we dive into the specifics of specialty coffee, let's establish a fundamental distinction in the coffee world: the divide between "specialty" and "commodity" coffee.
- Commodity Coffee
This category encompasses coffee that's primarily cultivated and harvested for its caffeine content. The goal here is simple—to provide that much-needed morning jolt. Quality and flavor nuances take a back seat.
- Specialty Coffee
Now, this is where things get exciting. Specialty coffee is all about the pursuit of exceptional flavors and top-tier quality. It's coffee that's carefully nurtured, harvested, and processed to accentuate unique flavor notes. Quality and clarity of flavor are paramount.
The Arabica vs. Robusta Divide
Within the realm of specialty coffee, we encounter another vital distinction: Arabica and Robusta beans.
- Arabica
This is the darling of specialty coffee. Arabica beans are cherished for their nuanced flavors, acidity, and aromatic qualities. They thrive in specific conditions, making them the preferred choice for specialty coffee.
- Robusta
In contrast, Robusta beans are grown primarily for their caffeine content and not for their flavor. They tend to have a more bitter and robust taste, which doesn't align with the pursuit of intricate flavors in specialty coffee.
Now that we've clarified the coffee landscape let's delve deeper into the fascinating world of specialty coffee.
The Journey of a Coffee Bean
The life of a coffee bean is a remarkable journey, filled with challenges and complexities. Here's a condensed version of the coffee bean's path to your cup:
- Seed to Tree
It all begins with a coffee seed, which is planted in the ground. Over approximately three years, the seed grows into a coffee tree that stands at about 1.5 to 1.8 meters tall, with a diameter of 0.9 to 1.2 meters.
- Cherry Harvest
Once matured, the coffee tree produces cherries. A single tree yields around 0.45 to 0.9 kilograms of cherries. However, coffee cherries are not all harvested at once. Skilled farmers meticulously select only the ripest cherries multiple times during the harvest season.
- Processing
The cherries are then processed through various methods, such as natural processing, honey processing, fully washed, and wet-hulled, depending on regional traditions and desired flavor profiles.
- Drying and Milling
Following processing, the beans are dried and milled. This entails removing the parchment-like layer from the dried beans and meticulously sorting them to eliminate defects.
- Export and Roasting
The sorted beans are ready to embark on a global journey to coffee roasters. Roasters receive the beans and work their magic to develop the perfect roast profile that brings out the beans' unique flavors.
- Brewing
Finally, the coffee reaches you—the eager coffee lover. Whether prepared by a skilled barista or brewed at home, the final outcome depends on your brewing skills and equipment.
The Grading Game: A Scoring System for Specialty Coffee
Now, let's talk numbers. Specialty coffee is subject to rigorous quality standards, assessed through a grading and scoring system. Here's how it works:
- Coffee is evaluated on a 100-point scale.
- Anything scoring below 80 points is unlikely to make the cut as specialty coffee.
- Specialty coffee typically falls within the range of 80 to 96 points.
The scoring system is based on the Specialty Coffee Association's cupping chart and protocol. To put it simply, the higher the score, the more exquisite the coffee. If you stumble upon coffee scoring above 96, consider yourself lucky—it's bound to be a delightful cup.
The Art and Science of Growing Specialty Coffee
Growing specialty coffee is a labor of love. Unlike commodity coffee, which can thrive in flat, sun-exposed farms, specialty coffee requires meticulous care at every stage. Here's why:
- Selective Harvesting
Farmers must pick cherries selectively, ensuring that only perfectly ripe cherries are chosen, often requiring multiple passes through the fields.
- Processing Methods
The choice of processing method—whether natural, washed, or another variation—can significantly impact flavor. Specialty coffee farmers meticulously choose the right method to accentuate desired flavors.
- Attention to Detail
The ideal growing conditions, specific altitudes, soil composition, rainfall, and sunshine patterns are essential factors in cultivating coffee with extraordinary flavor.
Your Role in the Specialty Coffee Experience
As a coffee enthusiast, your role in the specialty coffee experience is crucial. The effort invested in nurturing coffee beans to perfection can be in vain if the brewing process doesn't honor the coffee's potential.
Understanding various brewing methods, grind sizes, water temperatures, and extraction times allows you to unlock the intricate flavors that make specialty coffee special. But don't worry; we'll delve into brewing methods in a future post.
So, there you have it—a glimpse into the enchanting world of specialty coffee. It's a world where every stage of the journey, from seed to cup, is orchestrated to deliver a unique and delightful coffee experience.
