What is specialty coffee? And why has it become the standard of quality in the coffee shop world?

Many cafe owners receive the same question repeatedly from their customers:

"What does specialty coffee mean? And why are its prices higher? Is the difference in quality real or just marketing?"

The answer to this question is not just advertising, but the foundation upon which any successful coffee business is built.

In this article from Mard , we will take you on a journey that explains the meaning of specialty coffee, its origins, what makes it truly special, and why it has become the true standard of quality in specialty cafes today.

For a long time, people's association with coffee was limited to "function":
Instant coffee, consistent taste, its main purpose is alertness and focus.

This phase was known as the first wave of coffee, where there was no interest in the origin of the coffee, the farm, or the flavors, but rather the focus was on a stable product that was easy to store and use.

Then came the second wave, with the spread of large cafes and the introduction of espresso and milk drinks, where the focus shifted to the experience of the place, the quality of the drink, and the overall appearance, but the question remained:
Should coffee always taste the same?

And from here the third wave began…
Specialty coffee.

Specialty coffee isn't just a type of coffee; it's a way of thinking and a complete approach focused on the quality of the beans and their production from start to finish. Specialty coffee means carefully selecting beans from farms with specific environmental conditions, then processing and roasting them in a way that highlights the unique and original flavors of each crop. The goal is to offer coffee with a unique taste and distinct identity, varying according to region, tree type, and cultivation and processing methods. Specialty coffee tells the story of each bean and offers a unique customer experience, unlike conventional coffee, which can be just a bland, predictable beverage.

In this video, Ahmed Al-Hani shares valuable and detailed information about specialty coffee, so you can learn its secrets and how to excel in the world of coffee.

When green coffee arrives at the specialist roastery, a process begins that is completely different from commercial roasting.

The goal is not only to produce a uniform and consistent flavor, but also includes:

• Studying crop characteristics

• Experiment with several roasting methods

• Choosing the best roasting curve to highlight its unique flavors

When a coffee shop owner buys specialty coffee beans from a specialty roastery, he gets:

• The farmer's best quality

• And a roast specifically designed for this type of coffee
  This directly impacts the quality of the menu and the consistency of the flavors.

Specialty coffee is gaining significant importance for both consumers and coffee shop owners, as it offers them multiple benefits that go beyond just a regular cup of coffee.

• Experience a true diversity of flavors, as specialty coffee features unique flavors that vary according to crops and agricultural regions, making each cup tell a special story.

• Different acidities enhance the complexity of the taste and give the drink a vitality not found in traditional coffee.

• A balanced, natural sweetness reduces the dominance of bitterness, making the coffee gentler and easier to drink.

• High quality and consistent taste thanks to strict standards in coffee selection and roasting.

• Offering a distinctive product that can be easily differentiated from competitors, thus enhancing the cafe's position in the market.

• Consistency in the quality of coffee served builds customer trust and increases their loyalty.

• The ability to build a clear identity for the cafe based on quality and a unique experience.

• The ease of training the staff on specific flavors and standards ensures a consistent experience for every customer.

Maintaining the quality of specialty coffee in every cup served to customers is a key challenge for coffee shop owners. To achieve this, several important factors that directly affect the quality of the beverage and the customer experience must be considered, including:

• Choosing a reliable supplier who understands specialty coffee and offers high-quality crops.

• Understanding the roasting process and carefully reading the coffee label to select the right beans for each type of beverage.

• Investing in a consistent and precise grinding process that is appropriate to the preparation method used.

• Precisely control the quality and temperature of the water, as this affects the extraction of flavors.

• Using repeatable recipes ensures consistent taste every time.

• Building a trained team that understands the importance of quality and knows how to deliver the best customer experience.

• By following these steps, the cafe owner can ensure that they provide consistently high-quality specialty coffee that satisfies customers and enhances the cafe's reputation in the market.

With increasing consumer awareness in Saudi Arabia and worldwide regarding the importance of coffee quality, specialty coffee has become a preferred choice for those seeking a unique and distinctive experience. Specialty shops offer carefully selected beans and precise roasting that brings out the authentic flavors of the coffee, making specialty coffee not just a beverage but a cultural and artistic experience.

In short, specialty coffee represents a bridge between the farmer and the consumer, reflecting the quality of the crops and the professionalism of the roasting, and offering consumers and coffee shop owners real value that goes beyond the price, and ensuring an unforgettable experience every time.

In the Mard Channel We share specialized educational content that helps coffee shop owners and coffee lovers to:

• Deep understanding of specialty coffee

• Improving beverage quality

• Building more professional coffee projects

Subscribe to the channel, turn on notifications, and share the content with your team or anyone interested in the world of coffee.