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Top 10 Specialty Coffee Brands Recommended: Specialty Coffee and Single-Origin Coffee Are Not the Same Definition!

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat Official Account: cafe_style). Before discussing what roasting history is, we should first talk about what makes good coffee? Specialty Coffee is a term proposed by Ms. Erna Knutsen from the United States at the International Coffee Conference held in France in 1978. The Specialty Coffee (Speci

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)

What is Good Coffee?

Before discussing what constitutes a roast profile, we should first address what defines good coffee.

"Specialty Coffee" is a term coined by Ms. Erna Knutsen of America at the International Coffee Conference held in France in 1978.

The definition of "Specialty Coffee" she proposed is exceptionally clear and straightforward:

'Special geographic microclimates produce beans with unique flavor profiles'

This refers to coffee beans cultivated in special geographic microclimates that produce unique flavor characteristics.

"Specialty Coffee" does not have a single universal standard worldwide. Its evaluation is defined by the "Specialty Coffee Associations" of various countries.

Essentially, after tasting coffees with clear production traceability, those with excellent flavor profiles and distinctive regional characteristics that leave an exceptional impression are considered "Specialty Coffee."

Translating it as "Characteristic Coffee" might better align with the original meaning of "Specialty Coffee."

What is a Roast Profile?

Roast Profile: A complete production traceability from "Cup2Seed"

From fruit on the tree to the liquid in your cup, beyond providing origin and flavor information, the roasting quality control process is also disclosed, with roasters identified by name, presented in detail for drinkers to trace.

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So this is how the coffee in your hand is made

If you can see this, then this represents the value of FrontStreet Coffee's existence

FrontStreet Coffee's Definition of Good Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee's definition of specialty coffee:

Equipped with intelligent cloud-based roast profiles

Defective beans below 3%

Cupping score above 80 points

Clear regional flavor characteristics

Coffee is a beverage; roasting is a science

FrontStreet Coffee believes that beyond sensibility, one must also possess rationality and intellectual qualities to truly merit the term "specialty."

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

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