What is Speciality Coffee?
Specialty coffee refers to high-quality coffee that is graded above 80 points on a 100-point scale by professional coffee tasters, known as Q-graders. It is usually produced using Arabica beans and is carefully sourced, roasted, and brewed to bring out the unique flavors and characteristics of each coffee origin. Speciality coffee often involves direct relationships with farmers and supports sustainable and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. Overall, specialty coffee is valued for its unique taste and high-quality standards.
Understanding the Differences: Specialty Coffee Vs Commodity Coffee
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Quality: Commodity coffee is often mass-produced and grown for quantity over quality, whereas specialty coffee is grown and harvested with a focus on quality and unique flavors.
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Price: Commodity coffee is often sold at a lower price point due to its mass-produced nature, while specialty coffee is priced higher due to its higher quality and unique flavor profiles.
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Traceability: Specialty coffee is typically more traceable, meaning that the consumer knows where and how the coffee was grown, harvested, and roasted. Commodity coffee is often less traceable, making it harder to know its origin and production practices.
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Roasting: Specialty coffee is often roasted in smaller batches and with greater attention to detail, while commodity coffee may be roasted in large batches with less attention to detail.
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Sustainability: Specialty coffee often places a greater emphasis on sustainable and ethical production practices, including fair labor practices, environmental sustainability, and supporting small farmers and cooperatives.
Overall, commodity coffee is typically mass-produced and sold at a lower price point, while specialty coffee is grown and harvested with a focus on quality, unique flavors, and sustainable production practices.