Is Specialty Coffee Defined as the Premium Segment of Coffee? What Makes Coffee Premium Must Be Judged by Quality Scores

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Specialty Coffee

The Specialty Coffee Association of America defines specialty coffee beans as those scoring 80 points or above in comprehensive cupping (blind tasting). If the blind tasting score is below 80 points, they are classified as commercial beans.

In 1978, Ms. Knudsen delivered a speech to global coffee experts at the International Coffee Conference in Montreuil, France, further interpreting the concept of "specialty coffee." In 1982, Ms. Knudsen, along with Donald N. Schoenholt, head of New York's Gillies Coffee Company, and four others, co-founded the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), making "Specialty Coffee" a global term.

When Ms. Knudsen first proposed "specialty coffee," she emphasized the relationship between upstream growing environments and coffee quality. Today, the Specialty Coffee Association of America redefines it as: "Carefully selecting the most suitable varieties, grown at altitudes, climates, and environments that best facilitate coffee flavor development. Meticulously processed through washed and natural methods, selecting only the highest-grade, defect-free green beans, with zero errors in transportation, delivered to customers. Through the skilled craftsmanship of roasters, bringing out the richest regional flavors, then brewing delicious coffee using recognized extraction standards."

Arabica coffee possesses diverse and broad premium flavors. Arabica coffee from different countries, regions, altitudes, and climates typically has unique characteristics, displaying distinctly different personality flavors. Unroasted Arabica coffee smells like fresh grass, while after appropriate roasting, it reveals "fruit notes" (light to medium roast) and "caramel sweetness" (dark roast). Generally, it has better aroma and flavor than Robusta beans, with lower caffeine content (typically remaining in the body for 3-6 hours). This makes it suitable for direct, standalone consumption, either as single-origin or as espresso blend.

Countries that produce specialty coffee include: Ethiopia, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and others.

Knowledge Point: In terms of coffee flavor, coffee from commercial beans is much inferior to that from specialty coffee beans. Generally, commercial beans are selected for blending, which can be used to make espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research house, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee activities each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

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