Specialty coffee is all about quality. It is carefully sourced, expertly roasted, and brewed to bring out the best flavors and characteristics of the coffee beans. Unlike commodity coffee, which is often produced in large quantities and prioritizes consistency and cost-efficiency over taste, specialty coffee places a strong emphasis on the unique attributes of the coffee beans and the production process, with a commitment to sustainability and the celebration of natural flavors.

Coffee grading is the art of evaluating how good a coffee bean is. Characteristics like origin, size, shape, ripeness, and flavor influence a bean’s grade. Coffee beans are also graded based on certifications, such as organic, Fair Trade, or Rainforest Alliance. These certifications indicate that the coffee meets ethical and environmental standards.

Single-source coffee, or single-origin coffee, is coffee that comes from a specific geographic location, typically from a particular region, estate, or farm. This approach is in contrast to blended coffee, where beans from multiple sources or regions are mixed together to create a composite flavor profile.

Single-source coffee often has a unique and distinctive flavor profile that is influenced by the environmental conditions, soil, altitude, climate, and cultivation practices of the specific area where the coffee is produced. This uniqueness allows coffee enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the diverse flavors that different regions can offer.