When shopping for coffee, many people can get overwhelmed with all of the options available. From pre-ground bags of coffee at the grocery store to specialized retailers online, finding what works for you and your palate can be a journey! At Smokin Beans, our specialty coffee is designed to provide the best coffee experience possible! But what is the difference between regular coffee and specialty-grade coffee?
Understanding Grading
Coffee is graded on a scale determined by the growing conditions for the plant that produced the beans, the visible aspects of the beans produced, and finally, by the attributes of the coffee such as acidity, body, flavor, and aroma. Coffees that are graded highest on this scale are awarded the title of specialty coffee. The scale ranges from one to 100, and only coffees graded 80 and above earn the distinction of being specialty-graded.
What Sets It Apart
Specialty coffee will differ from lower-grade coffee in three categories: growing conditions, bean attributes, and brewed cup attributes. Growing conditions for specialty coffees are near-perfect, which is why they produce better coffee, and when visually inspected, the beans will have very few, if any, defects like black beans, sour beans, or broken beans. Finally, a certified coffee taster (SCAA) will taste the brewed coffee to determine the brewed attributes and attest to the specialty grading.
History of Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee is nothing new for coffee enthusiasts and has actually been around since the 1900s, when discerning coffee drinkers grew demand for coffee that had been grown in specific locations or from specific farms. Since coffee has become ever more popular throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, coffee drinking can be an experience, especially when you use specialty-grade beans.
Why Choose Specialty from Smokin Beans?
Smokin Beans is proud to offer high-quality, specialty-grade coffee from farms and growers around the world. Whether you prefer South American-sourced beans, African-sourced beans, or anything else, we offer beans that are roasted to order and even green beans for you to roast yourself!
Shop our selection of specialty-grade coffees online today!