FAQS

Specialty Coffee, which is a much higher quality coffee than ‘gourmet coffee,’ refers to coffee that scores 80 points or above on the scale of 100, according to the Specialty Coffee Association. Only certified Q-Graders (Quality Graders) are qualified to determine if the coffee falls within the specialty quality range. The coffee must be free of most primary defects, meaning that the beans must not be broken or discolored, and the stems, leaves, and other waste must be removed.

Specialty coffee beans typically flourish only in certain high altitude regions of the world, requiring the most ideal conditions and special care at each stage of development.  Much care is given to the production of specialty coffee throughout the entire process, from planting to roasting.

These coffees are known for having more vibrant, unique, and exotic flavors than standard coffee. Almost always, specialty coffee farmers select Arabica beans, which require greater care for survival than the popular Robusta beans. Arabica beans, with their many varieties, generally display greater flavors than the Robusta beans.