What Is Speciality Coffee? A Complete Guide

Priyanka Mishra
2026-02-18T05:52:53-06:00

Speciality coffee (also spelled specialty coffee in the US) refers to high-quality coffee that scores 80 points or higher under standards set by the Specialty Coffee Association. Unlike grocery store coffee, speciality coffee focuses on freshness, transparent sourcing, careful roasting, and distinct flavor profiles.

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At Evans Oro Negro, coffee isn’t just a product we sell it’s something we obsess over.

We’ve tasted coffees that were flat, bitter, and forgettable. And we’ve tasted coffees that made us pause after the first sip. The difference? It almost always comes down to one thing:

Speciality coffee

If you’ve been wondering what speciality coffee really means and whether it’s worth the upgrade this guide breaks it down in simple, honest terms.

What Makes Coffee “Speciality”?

Speciality coffee (or “specialty coffee” in the US spelling) is coffee that scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point grading scale set by the Specialty Coffee Association.

But that technical definition only tells part of the story.

For us, speciality coffee means:

Beans grown with care at higher altitudes

Ripe cherries picked at the right time

Careful processing at origin

Transparent sourcing

Roasting that enhances flavor instead of hiding defects

In other words, every step matters.

From farm to roast to brew quality isn’t accidental.

How SCA Grading Works (Without the Jargon)

Professional tasters, often called Q-graders, evaluate coffee using blind tasting sessions known as “cupping.”

They score coffee based on:

Aroma

Flavor

Aftertaste

Acidity

Body

Balance

Sweetness

Clean cup

Overall impression

Here’s how the scoring breaks down:

90–100 → Outstanding

85–89.99 → Excellent

80–84.99 → Very Good

Below 80 → Commercial grade

Most supermarket coffee doesn’t meet speciality standards because it’s produced for scale, not for taste clarity.

Speciality coffee is produced for flavor first.

Why Speciality Coffee Tastes So Different

If you’ve ever taken a sip and thought, “This actually tastes like something,” you were probably drinking speciality coffee.

Here’s why the difference is noticeable.

Freshness Comes First

At Evans Oro Negro, we focus on roast date — not expiration date.

Coffee is an agricultural product. Once roasted, it slowly loses aroma and flavor. The peak window is typically within a few weeks of roasting.

Mass-market coffee may sit in warehouses for months. That’s when flavor fades and bitterness increases.

Fresh coffee beans online, roasted in small batches, simply taste more alive.

Flavor Complexity

You’ll often see tasting notes like:

Dark chocolate

Caramel

Citrus

Berry

Nutty

Floral

These aren’t added flavors. They’re natural characteristics influenced by:

Origin

Altitude

Soil composition

Processing method

Roast profile

When roasted correctly, speciality coffee highlights those natural compounds instead of burning them away.

Transparency and Traceability

With speciality coffee, you know where it comes from.

That could mean:

A single farm in Costa Rica

A cooperative in Sumatra

A high-altitude region in Central America

Transparency builds trust and better flavor expectations.

Single Origin vs Blends: Our Honest Take

This is a question we hear often.

Single Origin Coffee

Single origin coffees come from one country or region. They’re ideal if you enjoy exploring distinct flavor profiles.

For example:

Costa Rican coffees often show bright acidity and citrus tones

Sumatran coffees can be earthy and full-bodied

Single origins are great for pour-over or manual brewing where clarity matters.

Coffee Blends

Blends combine beans from multiple origins to create balance and consistency.

They’re often:

Smoother

More rounded

Perfect for espresso

Great for everyday brewing

At Evans Oro Negro, we believe both have their place. It depends on your morning mood.

Why Roast Date Matters More Than You Think

If there’s one small detail that separates speciality coffee from commercial coffee, it’s this:

Roast date transparency.

Coffee releases gases after roasting — a process called degassing. It also begins to oxidize when exposed to air.

Freshly roasted beans, stored properly in valve-sealed bags, maintain:

Aroma

Sweetness

Balance

If a bag only lists an expiration date far in the future, it likely wasn’t roasted recently.

When buying coffee beans online, always check for a visible roast date.

How to Brew Speciality Coffee at Home

You don’t need expensive equipment to enjoy great coffee.

Here’s what we recommend:

Buy Whole Beans

Grinding fresh makes a noticeable difference.

Use the Right Grind Size

Coarse → French press

Medium → Drip machine

Medium-fine → Pour-over

Fine → Espresso

Follow a Simple Brew Ratio

A good starting point:
1 gram of coffee to 15–17 grams of water.

Use Good Water

Filtered water improves clarity dramatically.

Watch Temperature

195°F–205°F extracts balanced flavor without bitterness.

When brewed correctly, speciality coffee feels:

Clean

Smooth

Naturally sweet

Balanced

Not harsh. Not burnt. Not flat.

Where to Buy Speciality Coffee Online in the US

If you’re searching for:

Speciality coffee near me

Coffee beans online

Buy coffee online

Fresh coffee beans online

Here’s what we suggest looking for:

Clear roast date
Whole bean options
Origin transparency
Specialty grade mention
Small-batch roasting

Ordering speciality coffee online often means it’s roasted closer to the time you receive it which translates to better flavor.

For US buyers especially, freshness and shipping speed matter.

Why Speciality Coffee Costs More

Speciality coffee costs more because:

Farmers are paid for quality

Only ripe cherries are selected

Defects are removed

Grading is strict

Roasting is done in smaller batches

It’s not about luxury branding. It’s about quality control and respect for the craft.

You taste that difference in every cup.

FAQs

What’s the difference between specialty and speciality coffee?

They mean the same thing. “Specialty” is the American spelling, while “speciality” is used internationally.

Is speciality coffee stronger?

Not necessarily. Strength depends on brew ratio and roast level. Speciality coffee often tastes smoother and more balanced.

How long does speciality coffee stay fresh?

Whole beans are best within 2–4 weeks of roast date for peak flavor.

Can I use speciality coffee in my drip machine?

Yes. Speciality coffee works beautifully in drip machines, French press, pour-over, and espresso.

Is all speciality coffee organic?

Not always. Organic certification and speciality grading are separate standards.

Final Thoughts from Evans Oro Negro

We believe coffee should taste intentional.

Speciality coffee isn’t about trends. It’s about:

Freshness

Transparency

Craft

Respect for origin

Flavor clarity

When you switch from generic supermarket coffee to properly roasted speciality beans, the difference isn’t subtle.

It’s immediate.

And once you taste that difference, it’s hard to go back.