What Does Specialty Grade Coffee Mean? A Guide to Coffee Excellence

If you’ve ever come across the term “specialty grade coffee”, you might wonder—what exactly does it mean, and why does it matter?

 

At Procaffeinate, we’re passionate about sourcing and delivering the highest quality coffee, but not all coffee is created equal. Specialty coffee represents the top tier of coffee quality, standing apart from the mass-produced beans found in supermarkets.

In this guide, we’ll break down what specialty grade coffee is, how it’s classified, and why it’s worth the hype.

What is Specialty Grade Coffee?

Specialty coffee is the highest quality coffee available, evaluated based on flavor, aroma, consistency, and sourcing practices. It is coffee that has been graded at 80 points or above on the 100-point scale established by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

☕ Coffee scoring below 80 points is classified as commodity coffee—often mass-produced, lower in quality, and less flavor-focused.

☕ Specialty grade coffee accounts for only 5-10% of all coffee grown worldwide, making it an elite and rare category.

💡 Think of it like wine—while supermarket wines are enjoyable, specialty wines (single-origin, carefully aged) offer a richer, more refined experience.

How is Specialty Coffee Graded?

 

 

To be considered specialty grade, coffee undergoes rigorous quality control at multiple stages—from farm to cup. The grading process involves:

1. Green Bean Grading (Before Roasting)

Specialty coffee beans must be free from major defects, such as:

✔ Black or sour beans

✔ Mouldy or insect-damaged beans

✔ Uneven sizes that affect roasting

A Grade 1 (specialty coffee) bean must have:

• 0 primary defects (like black or sour beans)

• No more than 5 minor defects in a 300g sample

 

2. Cupping Score (Taste Testing)

Once roasted, coffee is judged using a method called cupping, where professional tasters (Q Graders) evaluate:

✔ Aroma – Complexity and freshness of fragrance

✔ Flavor – Sweetness, balance, acidity, and body

✔ Acidity – Brightness that enhances flavor (not bitterness)

✔ Aftertaste – How pleasant the taste remains after sipping

✔ Balance – The harmony of flavors in the cup

☕ A coffee scoring 80-84.99 is “Very Good”

☕ 85-89.99 is “Excellent”

☕ 90+ is “Outstanding” and extremely rare

 

Why Specialty Coffee is Worth It

1. Exceptional Flavor

Because it’s grown in ideal conditions, harvested at peak ripeness, and processed with care, specialty coffee delivers richer, more nuanced flavors—from floral Ethiopian beans to chocolatey Brazilian blends.

2. Ethically Sourced & Sustainable

Specialty coffee focuses on fair wages, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability. Many specialty-grade coffees are Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or Direct Trade certified, meaning farmers receive better wages and work in better conditions.

3. Freshness & Craftsmanship

Unlike mass-produced coffee that can sit on shelves for months, specialty coffee is freshly roasted in small batches, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.

4. Traceability

Specialty coffee is highly traceable, meaning you can know exactly where your coffee was grown, who farmed it, and how it was processed. This transparency connects you to the farmers and their craftsmanship.

 

How to Recognize & Choose Specialty Coffee

✔ Look for Specialty Coffee Scores – If a coffee has an SCA rating (80+), it’s a sign of quality.

✔ Opt for Single-Origin Coffee – Specialty coffee is often single-origin, meaning it comes from one farm or region (instead of blends of lower-quality beans).

✔ Check the Roast Date – Always choose coffee that has been roasted within the last 2-4 weeks for peak freshness.

✔ Buy from Trusted Roasters – Specialty coffee roasters (like Procaffeinate) source, roast, and package coffee with expertise and transparency.

If you appreciate quality over quantity, enjoy discovering complex flavors, and care about ethically sourced products, then specialty coffee is for you.

 

At Procaffeinate, we pride ourselves on offering luxury specialty coffee that delivers a superior taste experience while supporting ethical and sustainable farming practices.