Specialty coffee

"Specialty coffee" was first used in 1974 by Erna Knutsen in an issue of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. Knutsen used this term to describe beans of the best flavor which are produced in special microclimates.

Specialty coffee should not be confused with "gourmet" or "premium" coffee. The latter are marketing terms with no defined standards. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), coffee which scores 80 points or above on a 100-point scale is graded "specialty."^[1] Specialty coffees are grown in special and ideal climates, and are distinctive because of their full cup taste and little to no defects. The unique flavors and tastes are a result of the special characteristics and composition of the soils in which they are produced.

The specialty segment is the most rapidly growing portion of the coffee industry. In the U.S., specialty coffee has increased its market share from 1% to 20% in the last 25 years.

To promote and self-regulate the industry, growers, exporters, roasters, retailers and equipment suppliers have established trade associations. These associations exist in both coffee-consuming and producing countries.

Among the countries that are very famous by producing specialty coffee are Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Indonesia and vietnam^[2] Arabica and Robusta are the most popular coffee types in the coffee producing countries though there are 75 species of coffee around the world. Specially Arabica seeds got the fame of specialty coffee and Robusta is also getting the place for specialty coffee by the time. Specialty coffee is the high quality coffee seeds. From planting to roasting, this type of coffee is kept under strict observation^[3]

The specialty coffee demand is growing in many countries, with the US being the most developed market, followed by Europe, and then Asia - which is very early in the consumption of this kind of coffee but has steadily grown its overall consumption of specialty coffee as customers in Asia begin to differentiate the quality of the coffee they drink.

Associations in consuming countries

• Specialty Coffee Association of America^[4]
• Speciality Coffee Association of Europe^[5]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Japan^[6]
• New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association^[7]
• Singapore Coffee Association^[8]
• AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association^[9]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Korea^[10]

Associations in producing and consuming countries

• ANACAFE's Guatemalan Cup of Excellence ^[11]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Bolivia
• Brazil Specialty Coffee Association^[12]
• Colombian Coffee Federation^[13]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica^[14]
• East African Fine Coffees Association^[15]
• Itzalco Fine Coffee Association of El Salvador^[16]
• Specialty Coffee Association of India^[17]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia^[18]
• Asociación de Cafes Especiales de Nicaragua
• Association of Special Coffees of Panama^[19]
• Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa^[20]
• Asociación Mexicana de Cafés y Cafeterías de Especialidad A.C.^[21]

See also

• Specialty foods
• Third wave of coffee

References