What Is Specialty Coffee and Everything About It

Specialty coffee has become one of the most distinctive and widespread types of coffee in recent years. It is now the first choice for coffee lovers seeking exceptional quality and unique flavor. With this growing interest, it has become important to understand what specialty coffee really is, what makes it different from other types, the stages it goes through before reaching your cup, and the precise standards used to classify it.

What Is Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee is a high-quality category of coffee known for its unique and complex flavors. It is produced according to strict standards that ensure its superiority over traditional commercial coffee.
To be classified as “specialty,” coffee must score 80 points or above (out of 100) according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards. Evaluation is based on several factors, including:

  • Flavor: Complex and distinctive taste.

  • Aroma: Fragrant and characteristic scent.

  • Acidity: Perfect balance between brightness and bitterness.

  • Body: Rich and full texture.

  • Aftertaste: A lasting and pleasant finish.

The coffee must also be free from primary defects and contain no more than five secondary defects to qualify as specialty-grade.

Stages of Specialty Coffee Production

Specialty coffee goes through a series of precise stages, from cultivation to the perfect brew:

  • Cultivation: Grown at high altitudes (1,200–2,000 meters above sea level), providing ideal conditions for high-quality beans. Varieties such as Heirloom, Bourbon, and Marsellesa are cultivated carefully to ensure optimal cherry ripeness.

  • Harvesting: Coffee cherries are handpicked to select only the ripe red ones, ensuring consistency and flavor quality—more accurate than mechanical harvesting.

  • Processing: The method of processing affects the final flavor profile:

    • Washed (Wet) Process: Removes skin and pulp, then ferments beans to eliminate mucilage, resulting in a clean, bright cup.

    • Natural (Dry) Process: Dries whole cherries under the sun, giving fruity and sweet notes.

    • Honey Process: Removes the outer skin but leaves some pulp for balanced sweetness and acidity.

    • Anaerobic Fermentation: Ferments beans in oxygen-free tanks for complex, distinctive flavors.

  • Drying: Beans are dried to about 11% moisture, either on raised beds under the sun or in mechanical dryers, with regular turning for even drying.

  • Sorting and Grading: Beans are sorted by size, weight, and color. Defective beans are removed manually or mechanically to ensure only premium-quality beans are exported.

  • Exporting: The green beans are packed in special bags and shipped under controlled temperature and humidity to preserve freshness.

  • Roasting: Beans are roasted at precise temperatures to highlight each variety’s unique flavors, using processes like the Maillard reaction to develop aromatic compounds.

  • Brewing: Specialty coffee is brewed using tools such as V60, Chemex, or Espresso, with precise temperature and extraction control for optimal flavor.

How Is Specialty Coffee Classified?

According to the SCA classification system, coffee is rated on a 100-point scale. To qualify as “specialty,” it must score at least 80 points:

  • 80–84.99 points: Very good quality.

  • 85–89.99 points: Excellent quality.

  • 90–100 points: Exceptional quality.

Factors Affecting Specialty Coffee Quality

The quality of specialty coffee is influenced by several factors from farm to cup:

  • Origin and Variety: The region and altitude affect flavor. Arabica grown at higher elevations offers fruity, acidic notes, while Robusta gives stronger, more bitter flavors.

  • Roast Level: Light roasts preserve the beans’ natural flavors and acidity; darker roasts produce a more bitter, full-bodied cup.

  • Grind Size: Fine grind suits espresso, coarse grind suits filtered coffee; grind control helps balance acidity and bitterness.

  • Water Quality: As water makes up most of the cup, pure filtered water enhances flavor.

  • Brewing Temperature: The ideal range is 90–96°C for balanced extraction.

  • Equipment Cleanliness: Clean brewing tools prevent oil build-up and maintain authentic taste.

  • Storage: Beans should be stored in airtight containers, in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors to maintain freshness.

Best Specialty Coffees from Coffee Dew

Coffee Dew offers a curated selection of premium specialty coffees that cater to every taste preference. Here are some of the top options:

1. Azal Plus

Azal Plus is one of the finest Yemeni specialty coffees, cultivated in high mountains up to 2,300 meters. With a remarkable 89.25-point rating, it offers a truly unique experience.

  • Originating from the Typica variety, known for balance and rich flavor.

  • Flavor notes: golden grape, chocolate, sweetness, balanced citrus, and aged wine.

  • Processed with precision to enhance quality and flavor.

  • Suitable for pour-over, espresso, or Turkish brewing.

  • Available exclusively from Coffee Dew, with fast delivery across Saudi Arabia.

2. Waykan

Enjoy the rich and complex taste of Waykan Guatemalan coffee, rated 84.8 points and belonging to the golden category.

  • Flavor profile: caramel, chocolate, raisin, berry, lemon, and toffee.

  • Washed process ensures purity and flavor balance.

  • Grown at 1,800 meters in Guatemala for enhanced natural flavor.

  • Derived from varieties like Bourbon, Caturra, Catimor, Maragogype, and Pache.

  • Packed in airtight bags to preserve freshness and aroma.

3. Hambela

From the heart of Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, Hambela offers rich notes of berries, florals, and maple syrup for a truly memorable cup.

  • A blend of Catuai, Maragogype, Typica, and Heirloom varieties for a balanced and vibrant flavor.

  • Anaerobic fermentation enhances complexity and depth.

  • Suitable for filter, Turkish, or milk-based drinks like cappuccino and latte.

  • Rated 87 points, placing it in the platinum category.

  • Available in 250g packs, shipped directly from Coffee Dew across the Kingdom.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve explored what specialty coffee is, its key characteristics, production stages, and the factors that influence its quality. We also reviewed how it’s classified according to international tasting standards. Specialty coffee truly represents the perfect combination of premium quality and distinctive flavor, offering an exceptional experience in every cup.