If you love coffee, you’ve probably come across the term specialty coffee. But what does it actually mean? And why is this category of coffee so different (and often better) than what you find in most supermarkets? In this article, we explain in an accessible way what specialty coffee is all about, why it has become such a phenomenon, and how you can taste the difference for yourself.

What makes coffee “specialty”?

In the world of coffee, specialty coffee literally refers to coffee of the highest quality – from bean to cup. Unlike standard coffee, which mainly focuses on quantity and consistency, specialty coffee is all about flavour, origin, craftsmanship and transparency.

That sounds great, but what does it actually mean in practice?

1. Strict quality standards
One traditional way to determine whether coffee qualifies as specialty is through a scoring system developed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Coffee beans are evaluated on characteristics such as aroma, flavour, acidity, body and finish. If a coffee scores at least 80 points on a 100-point scale, it can be classified as specialty coffee.
This ensures the quality of the bean itself, even before it is roasted or brewed.

2. From bean to cup: craftsmanship and traceability

What makes specialty coffee unique is that every step in the chain plays a crucial role:

• Farmers carefully hand-select the best coffee cherries.
  
• Processing and drying are carried out with precision to preserve flavour nuances.
  
• Roasters develop specific roast profiles for each bean, allowing aromas and flavours to truly shine.
  
• Baristas and consumers choose brewing methods that match the character of the coffee.
  

The result is a coffee in which you can taste its origin – think floral notes, fruity accents, or deep chocolate and nutty profiles.

3. Origin and story
Specialty coffee often comes with full traceability: you know the country, region, or even the individual farmer where the beans come from. This transparency is essential – it helps consumers understand quality and supports fair trade and sustainable practices within the coffee sector.

The impact of specialty coffee

Specialty coffee is more than a niche trend. It has changed the way we think about coffee:

• For farmers, it often means better prices and greater recognition for their work.
  
• For roasters, it offers room for creativity and the development of unique flavour profiles.
  
• For consumers, it delivers a richer experience and the opportunity to discover what coffee can truly be.
  

How can you experience specialty coffee yourself?

Want to taste the difference? Start with coffee that is carefully selected and roasted for flavour – such as the specialty coffees from The Last Bean. Try different brewing methods (e.g. pour-over, AeroPress or espresso – see also: Filter Methods for Specialty Coffee) and pay attention to aroma, balance and body. You’ll quickly discover that specialty coffee has far more to offer than you might expect.

Explore all our specialty coffees in the webshop