What is Specialty Coffee?


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As a caffeine lover, you have two options on what to drink — regular coffee or specialty coffee. But what’s the difference between those two, and why should you care?
Speciality Coffee VS Regular Coffee
Taste

  • ‘Regular coffee’ is often referring to low quality, unpleasant experience through bad taste and a not so great feeling.
  • ‘Specialty coffee’ mean for guaranteed quality through all stages of the coffee production from process from seed to cup.

Speciality Coffee good for you in more ways than just taste
One of the major differences between the two is that speciality coffee is actually good for you in more ways than just taste. You’ve probably read studies about the health benefits of coffee ranging from reduced risk to diabetes, Alzheimers, dementia to preventing various cancers, but remember, even an overdose of the good stuff can lead to some less than wanted effects (e.g. ruining your sleep pattern). However, drinking regular often has worse side effects and affects both your entire system from head to stomach.

So, how do you choose your coffee then? How do you know if coffee is regular or speciality? The only way to comprehend these skills is to understand the coffee production from the plantation to cup.

Specialty coffee should not be confused with “gourmet” or “premium” coffee. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), coffee which scores 80 points or above on a 100-point scale is graded “specialty.” Specialty coffees are grown in special and ideal climates, and are distinctive because of their full cup taste and little to no defects. The unique flavors and tastes are a result of the special characteristics and composition of the soils in which they are produced.

Among the countries that are very famous by producing specialty coffee are Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Panama.


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