Specialty coffee is a category of coffee that stands out for its exceptional quality. The term was first coined by Erna Knutsen in a 1974 article in the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. "Specialty coffee" refers to coffee varieties that score at least 80/100 according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scoring standards. Evaluation is based on multiple parameters including aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and absence of defects.

Coffee is a beverage that brings people together from all over the world, and when we talk about specialty coffee, we enter a unique world made of passion, quality, and meticulous attention to detail.

#What is Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee is a category of coffee that stands out for its exceptional quality. The term was first coined by Erna Knutsen in a 1974 article in the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. "Specialty coffee" refers to coffee varieties that score at least 80/100 according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scoring standards. Evaluation is based on multiple parameters including aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and absence of defects.

#The Specialty Coffee Production Chain

The specialty coffee production chain is characterized by special attention to every production step, from cultivation to cup. The process includes several stages:

• Cultivation: Coffee plants are grown under ideal conditions, often at high altitudes, with rich soil and suitable climate. Specialty coffee producers invest time and resources in cultivating high-quality, disease-resistant varieties.
• Harvesting: Coffee cherries must be hand-picked to ensure only ripe fruit is selected. This meticulous selection during harvesting avoids the negative impact that unripe or overripe beans could have on the final taste.
• Processing: Processing methods should highlight the unique characteristics of the bean. Each method imparts different aromatic and flavor profiles to the coffee.
• Roasting: Small-batch, lot-specific roasting must be performed with tailored curves to enhance the coffee's aromatic qualities and flavor complexity. Specialty coffee roasters develop custom roast profiles for each batch.
• Brewing: The final brewing step requires proper technique to respect the coffee's quality. Precise extraction is essential to showcase the value of the entire production process.

#How to Make Specialty Coffee

To prepare a specialty espresso, you need the following tools:

• A high-quality espresso machine
• A high-quality coffee grinder capable of excellent grind consistency and uniform particle size
• A precision scale for accurately weighing coffee and water to maintain the exact coffee-to-water ratio
• A thermometer to control water temperature during extraction, preventing flavor alteration
• Coffee Selection: Choose fresh specialty coffee beans, ideally roasted within the past two weeks. Coffee freshness is crucial for optimal extraction.
• Grinding: Coffee should be ground immediately before preparation to preserve aromas. The correct particle size depends on the chosen extraction method. For manual or automatic espresso machines, a fine grind is recommended. The final ground coffee texture should resemble coarse sand.
• Water Temperature: The ideal temperature ranges between 90° and 96°C. Using quality water, preferably filtered, is recommended to avoid limescale and impurities affecting taste.