What is Specialty Coffee? A Comprehensive Guide from a Q Arabica Grader

What is specialty coffee? Why is Q Arabica so important? What are the criteria? Is this scoring reliable? We have gathered the answers to all your questions about specialty coffee on this page.

What is Specialty Coffee in a Nutshell?

Specialty coffee is simply defined as high-quality coffees that score 80 points or higher out of 100, based on criteria set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

These coffees are expected to convey the climate, soil, and vegetation of the region where they are grown. Specialty coffee is often made from high-quality Arabica beans. The altitude at which the bean was grown, how it was processed, its farm, and how it was roasted are known in detail and shared transparently. This allows you to follow the journey of the coffee in your cup from seed to your table.

The main characteristics that distinguish specialty coffee from other coffees are:

· Bean quality: Carefully selected beans with a low defect rate are used.

· Careful roasting: Focuses on preserving quality during harvesting, processing, storage, and especially roasting.

· Freshness: Roasted frequently in small batches to preserve freshness. Roasting dates are shared transparently.

· Profile: Clear flavor notes, balanced acidity, and a clean finish.

· Traceability: The country, region, and farm of origin are known.

Why Do We Say “Specialty”? (SCA Scoring System)

The concept of specialty coffee is determined according to an internationally recognized tasting and scoring system. According to the rules set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), Q Graders, who are professional tasters, score coffee out of 100 based on different criteria. Coffees that score 80 and above are classified as "specialty coffee."

The scoring system does not answer the question "is this coffee good?" According to this system, many criteria are applied to the coffee, from its aromatic structure to its body, from its acidity to its cleanliness, and the details are converted into a numerical value.

What criteria are considered in SCA scoring?

When evaluating a coffee according to SCA scoring, the following main points are examined:

Aroma and fragrance: Notes perceived in dry and wet aroma
Flavor: The main taste profile and character in the cup
Acidity: Liveliness, freshness, and balance
Body: Mouthfeel and texture
Sweetness: Natural sweetness and smoothness
Cleanliness and clarity: Absence of undesirable flavors in the cup
Balance and overall impression: Harmony of all components

What does an 80+ score mean?

You may see coffees at Rumo marked as 80+. So, what does this score mean?

Coffees scoring between 80 and 84.99 are considered "very good" specialty coffees. Those scoring between 85 and 89.99 are "excellent" specialty coffees. Coffees scoring 90 points and above are classified as "outstanding" specialty coffees.

In short, specialty coffee earns this name by undergoing a quality filter from its cultivation to processing, until it reaches your cup.

Differences Between Specialty Coffee and Supermarket Coffee

There are very distinct differences between an industrial coffee you buy from supermarket shelves and specialty coffee. This difference is much more than just asking "is it tastier?"

Bean quality is one of the fundamental differences. Specialty coffee consists of selected, low-defect beans. Supermarket coffees are of mixed quality, and details are often not provided.

The farm, growing region, altitude, and processing method of specialty coffee are known. Supermarket coffee usually has labels like "coffee blend."

Specialty coffee is roasted in small batches, and roasting dates are emphasized. Supermarket coffees have a longer shelf life, and the roasting date is often not included.

Specialty coffee has clean, balanced, and distinct flavor notes. Supermarket coffees often have a burnt profile due to intense roasting.

While specialty coffee has tasting notes and production details, supermarket coffees have limited information, and brand names are prominent.

When you choose specialty coffee, you can experience a truly distinctive and memorable flavor, not just caffeine, in your cup. Although it may sometimes be higher in price than supermarket coffees, the difference in both enjoyment and quality is clearly noticeable.

Types of Specialty Coffee

In specialty coffee, there isn't just one taste, one profile. There are coffees grown in different regions, at different altitudes, using various processing methods. This completely changes the character of the coffee. Additionally, let's add that roasting degrees and brewing methods will directly affect your experience.

Specialty coffee types by origin

Single origin: Coffees from a single country, often even a single farm, clearly reflecting the terroir characteristics of the region. They have a distinctive flavor profile.
Blend: Created by harmoniously blending beans from different origins. Often preferred to achieve the desired body, taste, and acidity in brewing methods like espresso.

Types by processing method

Washed: Beans separated from the fruit part have cleaner and brighter acidity profiles.
Natural: Coffee cherries are dried with the fruit, resulting in more fruity, sweet, and intense profiles.
Honey/Pulped natural: Part of the fruit is left on the bean and dried. It has a balanced character between washed and natural methods.

Recommendations by brewing method

Filter coffee: Light-medium roast, higher aromatic and balanced acidity
Intense filter / brewing equipment: Profiles with more body and prominent sweetness
Espresso: Balance is crucial; body, acidity, and sweetness must be harmonious
Turkish coffee: Prepared with fine grind, often featuring profiles that pair well with chocolate, hazelnut, and cocoa sweetness

At Rumo, you can find specialty coffee varieties suitable for different brewing methods, and choose from special profiles for filter, espresso, or Turkish coffee according to your taste.

How to Choose Specialty Coffee?

Perhaps the most frequently asked question by coffee lovers is how to make a selection. The information found in specialty coffee, which is not present in supermarket coffees, will help you in this regard. Information such as tasting notes, roast level, altitude, and processing method aids in selection. So, how do you do it?

First, you need to know your palate well. If you like fruity, floral, vibrant profiles, then African-origin, washed or natural coffees will be for you.

If you enjoy chocolatey, nutty, and caramel notes, then Latin American-origin, medium roast coffees will appeal to you more.

The roast level is the second key point to pay attention to. If you are looking for more distinct acidity and a high aromatic profile, light roast coffees are for you. If you are looking for a balanced profile between acidity and body, then you can choose a medium roast. Finally, if you want low acidity, prominent body, and bitterness, you should prefer a medium-dark roast.

How is Specialty Coffee Roasted? Rumo's Approach

One of the most important characteristics of specialty coffee is the mastery of the roasting process, as much as the quality of the beans. The same bean can take on completely different characteristics with different roasting profiles.

At Rumo, each coffee is roasted in small batches, with a roasting profile that brings out its unique character. Our main goal is to highlight the natural sweetness of the bean and ensure that everyone can fully appreciate its aromatic complexity. We roast the beans neither too light, leaving them "raw," nor so dark that all aromatics are destroyed.

During the roasting process:

We create special profiles for each coffee,
We make adjustments according to the origin of the bean, its processing method, and the intended brewing type,
We also manage the resting period after roasting in a controlled manner.

Thus, every package of specialty coffee you receive is balanced and ready to offer a consistent flavor profile.

Specialty Coffee Experience at Rumo

At Rumo, our main motivation is to offer high-quality and good coffee to everyone in every cup. For this, we structure the entire process, from bean selection to roasting profiles, packaging, and shipping, according to specialty coffee standards.

We prefer profiles that meet specialty coffee criteria in bean selection,
We roast each coffee according to its unique character,
We share the roasting date transparently,
We offer recommendations based on your brewing methods.

Along with detailed information on tasting notes, body, acidity, and aromatic structure, we strive to offer not just coffee, but an experience in every package.

If you're just starting to explore the world of specialty coffee, you can quickly find the coffee that best suits your palate by trying Rumo's different profiles.