If you’re a coffee lover, you might have wondered why some coffee beans are more expensive than others. What makes specialty coffee different from commercial coffee? And is it worth paying more for a better quality brew?
In this blog post, we’ll explain the main differences between specialty and commercial coffee, and how they affect the taste, quality, and environmental impact of your cup of joe.
What is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee is the highest grade of coffee available, according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). It is produced from the best quality Arabica beans, which are hand-picked when they are ripe and processed with care to preserve their flavor and aroma.
Specialty coffee is graded by certified experts who evaluate the beans for size, humidity, defects, and taste. To be considered specialty grade, the coffee must score at least 80 points out of 100 on the SCA scale, and have no primary defects (such as rocks, twigs, or moldy beans).
Specialty coffee is roasted by skilled roasters who aim to highlight the unique characteristics of each bean, rather than mask them with a dark roast. Specialty coffee is also brewed with precision and attention to detail, using the best equipment and methods to extract the optimal flavor.
What is Commercial Coffee?
Commercial coffee, on the other hand, is the opposite of specialty coffee. It is mass-produced from low-quality Robusta beans, which are cheaper and easier to grow, but have a harsh and bitter taste. Commercial coffee is often harvested by machines, which strip the cherries from the trees regardless of their ripeness. This results in a mix of overripe, underripe, and rotten beans, which are then processed with chemicals and additives to make them look and smell better.
Commercial coffee is graded by quantity, not quality. It is roasted to a very dark level, which burns the beans and hides their defects. Commercial coffee is also brewed with little care, using low-quality water, equipment, and techniques. The result is a bland, bitter, and stale cup of coffee that needs sugar and cream to make it palatable.
Why Does it Matter?
The difference between specialty and commercial coffee matters for several reasons. First of all, it matters for your health. Specialty coffee is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that can boost your energy, mood, and cognitive performance. Commercial coffee, on the other hand, can contain harmful substances, such as pesticides, mycotoxins, and acrylamide, which can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases.
Secondly, it matters for your taste buds. Specialty coffee offers a wide range of flavors, aromas, and nuances, depending on the origin, variety, processing, roasting, and brewing of the beans. You can enjoy the sweetness, acidity, fruitiness, floral notes, chocolate notes, and more, that each coffee has to offer. Commercial coffee, on the other hand, has a uniform and dull flavor, that lacks any complexity or depth.
Thirdly, it matters for the environment. Specialty coffee is grown in a sustainable and ethical way, respecting the natural ecosystems and the people who work in them. Specialty coffee farmers use organic and shade-grown practices, which protect the soil, water, and biodiversity of the land. They also receive fair prices and wages, which enable them to improve their living conditions and invest in their communities. Commercial coffee, on the other hand, is grown in a destructive and exploitative way, harming the environment and the people who depend on it. Commercial coffee farmers use intensive and monoculture practices, which deplete the soil, water, and biodiversity of the land. They also receive low prices and wages, which force them to live in poverty and vulnerability.
How to Choose Specialty Coffee?
If you want to enjoy the benefits of specialty coffee, you need to know how to choose it. Here are some tips to help you:
- Look for the SCA logo or certification on the coffee bag, which indicates that the coffee meets the specialty standards.
- Look for the origin, variety, processing, and roasting information on the coffee bag, which tells you more about the characteristics and quality of the coffee.
- Look for the roast date on the coffee bag, which tells you how fresh the coffee is. Ideally, you want to buy coffee that was roasted within the last two weeks.
- Look for the grind size on the coffee bag, which tells you how to brew the coffee. Ideally, you want to buy whole beans and grind them yourself, right before brewing, to preserve the freshness and flavor of the coffee.
- Look for the brewing method on the coffee bag, which tells you how to extract the best flavor from the coffee. Ideally, you want to use a manual or pour-over method, such as a French press, a Chemex, or a V60, which gives you more control and consistency over the brewing process.
Conclusion
Specialty coffee and commercial coffee are two different worlds, and the difference is noticeable in every aspect: from the bean to the cup. Specialty coffee is a premium product that offers you a superior taste, quality, and experience, while also supporting the environment and the people who produce it. Commercial coffee is a cheap product that offers you a mediocre taste, quality, and experience, while also harming the environment and the people who produce it.
If you’re a coffee lover, we invite you to try specialty coffee and discover the difference for yourself. You’ll be amazed by the variety, complexity, and richness of flavors that specialty coffee can offer you. And you’ll also feel good knowing that you’re contributing to a more sustainable and ethical coffee industry.
At Syzygy Coffee, we are passionate about specialty coffee and we want to share it with you. We source our beans from the best specialty coffee farms around the world, and we roast them with care and precision to bring out their full potential. We also offer you the best equipment and accessories to brew your coffee at home, as well as tips and tutorials to help you master the art of coffee making.
Visit our website and browse our selection of specialty coffee beans, equipment, and accessories. Order online and get free shipping on orders over $30. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to get the latest news, updates, and promotions from Syzygy Coffee.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about specialty vs. commercial coffee. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading and happy brewing!