What is specialty coffee? A complete guide to the world of specialty coffee
Mar 15, 2025
Why is everyone talking? About specialty coffee?
Coffee is one of the world's most consumed beverages, but not all cups of coffee are created equal. About you have heard About specialty coffee but don't really understand what makes it so special, then you've come to the right place.
Specialty coffee has become a trend among coffee lovers and baristas around the world, but it's all about About more than just taste. It's a movement that puts quality, sustainability, and fair conditions for coffee farmers at the center. In this guide, we'll dive deep into what specialty coffee is, what sets it apart from regular coffee, and why it's the future of the coffee industry.
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee is defined by its quality, origin and the care taken at every stage of the production chain – from cultivation to brewing. It is coffee that has been carefully evaluated by experts and achieves a score of at least 80 out of 100 according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
Three factors that define specialty coffee:
- Quality: Only the best coffee beans from carefully selected plantations are used.
- Crafts: Roasting is often done on a small scale and with great precision to highlight the natural flavors in the beans.
- Sustainability: Specialty coffee is grown with a focus on the environment and fair working conditions for the farmers.
How is specialty coffee different from regular coffee?
There are some key differences between specialty coffee and the coffee you find in the supermarket. Here are the most important ones:
| Factor | Specialty coffee | Commercial coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Only the best beans, carefully selected. | Beans of varying quality, often defective. |
| Roasting | Slow, artisanal roasting that preserves flavor nuances. | Mass-produced roasting that burns away flavors. |
| Traceability | Full transparency into origin and growing conditions. | Often of anonymous origin, difficult to trace. |
| Sustainability | Growing methods that protect the environment and support farmers. | Often mass production without environmental consideration. |
In other words – specialty coffee is not only better in taste, it is also better for both people and the planet.
Why is specialty coffee more expensive?
Many people wonder why a bag of specialty coffee costs more than the regular industrial coffee on the store shelf. The answer lies in how the coffee is grown, harvested and handled.
Factors that affect the price of specialty coffee:
☕ Higher quality of the raw material: Specialty coffee requires more careful selection of coffee beans, which increases costs.
☕ Fairer compensation for coffee farmers: Instead of buying coffee at low mass production prices, farmers are paid fairly.
☕ Sustainable farming methods: Specialty coffee often involves organic and sustainable growing methods that protect the environment.
☕ Slower and more precise roasting: Small-scale roasteries use time and precision to bring out the coffee's natural flavors, which costs more than fast industrial roasting.
When you buy specialty coffee, you're not just paying for a better tasting experience – you're investing in a more sustainable coffee industry.
What does specialty coffee taste like?
One of the biggest benefits of specialty coffee is its complex and varied flavors. Depending on where the beans were grown and how they were processed, you can experience notes of chocolate, berries, citrus, caramel, nuts, and more.
Here are some common flavor profiles depending on the origin of the coffee:
- Ethiopia – Fruity and floral, often with hints of blueberry or jasmine.
- Colombia – Balanced and sweet, with notes of caramel and red berries.
- Brazil – Chocolatey and nutty, often with low acidity.
- Kenya – Intense acidity and berry notes, often like blackcurrant or citrus.
About If you've never tried specialty coffee before, you'll notice a huge difference compared to the bitter, over-roasted coffee often found in stores.
How can you try specialty coffee?
About If you're curious about exploring specialty coffee, there are a few simple steps to get started:
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Choose coffee from a good roastery – Swedish specialty coffee roasters such as Johan & Nyström, Lykke Kaffegårdar, Swerl Coffee and Drop Coffee offer high-quality beans.
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Try different brewing methods – Pour-over, AeroPress and espresso brewing can provide unique taste experiences.
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Read on About the origin of coffee – Each coffee has its own history and flavor profile.
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Experiment with grind size and brewing time – Small adjustments can make a big difference in taste.
Conclusion: Specialty coffee is the future
Specialty coffee is not just about About drinking coffee – it's a whole philosophy about sustainability, quality and fairness. By choosing specialty coffee, you not only support better working conditions for farmers and more environmentally friendly production, you also get a coffee experience that is on a whole new level.
Are you ready to step into the world of specialty coffee? Take a look at our selection of carefully selected beans from Sweden's best roasters and discover the difference for yourself!
Have you tried specialty coffee?
Feel free to share your experience in the comments below! What is your favorite coffee and why?
