The Complete Guide to Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee isn't just a buzzword—it's a world of difference from your daily cup of comfort. If you've ever tasted a truly good coffee where all the flavor notes are perfectly balanced, you know what we're talking about. In this guide, we'll take you into the fascinating world of high-quality coffee beans, artisanal brewing, and sustainable production. You'll discover:
- What exactly distinguishes specialty coffee from regular coffee
- Why This Coffee Costs More (and Why It's Worth It)
- How to recognize and prepare the best beans yourself
- Practical tips for enjoying specialty coffee at home
What makes specialty coffee so special?
Specialty coffee begins with the coffee plant itself. According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), beans must score at least 80 points on a professional rating scale. But what does that actually mean?
- Rare Varieties : Consider the exclusive Gesha bean which sometimes costs over $50 a pound
- Ideal growing conditions : Plantations on volcanic mountain slopes between 1200-2000 meters altitude
- Manual selection : Each cherry is picked by hand at the perfect ripeness point
- Climate control : Special GrainPro packaging protects the beans during transport
The result? A coffee experience where you can taste the love and craftsmanship in every sip. Think of it like wine: just as a Grand Cru distinguishes itself from store-brand wine, specialty coffee surpasses standard coffee in every way.
3 Reasons Why Specialty Coffee Costs More
Many people wonder why you pay more for this coffee. The explanation lies in the entire production process:
- Labor-intensive cultivation
Machines aren't allowed on steep mountain slopes. Everything is done by hand—from picking to sorting the beans.
- Smaller harvests
Top quality beans often come from small plantations (sometimes as little as 5 hectares) that focus on quality rather than quantity.
- Advanced processing
After picking, the beans undergo special treatments such as:
Wet fermentation process (48-72 hours)
Sun drying on African beds
Double sorting with laser technology
For example: 1 kilo of specialty coffee requires approximately 4,000 perfectly ripe cherries. Add to that the fact that 20-30% of the harvest is lost during the selection process, and you understand where the price comes from.
How do you recognize real specialty coffee?
Not all expensive coffee is automatically specialty coffee . Look for these characteristics:
Appearance of the beans:
- Even size (no broken pieces)
- Smooth texture without wrinkles
- No stains or discoloration
Flavor profile:
- At least 3 recognizable flavor notes (e.g. blueberry, caramel, jasmine)
- Natural sweetness without a bitter aftertaste
- Balanced acidity that enhances the flavor
Freshness indicators:
- Roast date clearly stated (maximum 3 weeks old)
-
Airtight packaging with valve
Pro tip: Ask your coffee shop about the SCA rating of the beans. True specialty coffee always carries a certification.
The art of setting at home
Get the most out of your specialty coffee with these 5 steps:
- Determine the correct grind size
Fine for espresso (like table salt)
Medium for filter coffee (such as beach sand)
Coarse for French press (such as coarse sea salt)
- Use purified water
The ideal water hardness is between 50 and 175 ppm. Water that is too hard spoils the subtle flavor notes.
- Keep track of temperature
93°C is perfect – use a kitchen thermometer to check this.
- Experiment with brew ratio
Start with 60 grams of coffee per liter of water and adjust to taste.
- Time your extraction
Espresso: 25-30 seconds
Filter coffee: 3-4 minutes
Cold brew: 12-24 hours
In Amsterdam and Utrecht, you'll see more and more specialty coffee bars where baristas are happy to offer personalized advice. Ask about their favorite brewing methods—from Chemex to Aeropress.
Why specialty coffee is good for you
Besides enjoyment, this coffee also offers health benefits:
- More antioxidants than blueberries or broccoli
- Lower risk of liver disease (according to research from the UMC Utrecht)
- Improved concentration through even caffeine release
- Sustainable cultivation thanks to fair trade certifications
Please note: these benefits only apply with moderate consumption (maximum 4 cups per day).
Discover your specialty coffee
Ready to take the plunge? At Koffie Kenner, we're happy to help.
Our coffee experts select only beans with SCA scores above 85 points. From Ethiopian Yirgacheffe to Guatemalan Huehuetenango, each origin tells a unique story.
Be surprised by real coffee art
Specialty coffee is more than just a drink—it's an experience that stimulates all your senses. Whether you're experimenting with a V60 at home or enjoying it at a trendy coffee spot in Rotterdam, every sip brings you closer to the passion of the coffee farmers.
Try something different than your standard espresso. Order your sample pack today and discover what true coffee love tastes like. Who knows, you might soon taste notes of dried apricot or a hint of bergamot in your next cup...