Specialty Coffee: A Phenomenon or A Revolution?

What is Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee is not your average cup of joe. It’s coffee that is carefully sourced, processed, sorted, graded, roasted, and brewed to bring out and highlight the beans' unique flavors and natural characteristics. It's called and referred to as "specialty-grade coffee" and made the third wave of coffee happen.

Unlike commercial-grade or commodity coffee, specialty-grade coffee is all about quality, with beans that score 80 points and above on a 100-point Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale. It's an experience, to say the least, where every sip introduces you to flavors you wouldn't think of getting from a cup of coffee. 

Why do I need to learn about Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee has been capturing the hearts and palates of coffee enthusiasts worldwide. It was even amplified when the pandemic hit the world, and people got into making their own coffee at home and learning more about the coffee culture. We know this is not just a passing trend seeing how it changed the coffee industry post-pandemic.

By learning more about specialty-grade coffee, you're setting yourself up to discover the intriguing world of coffee and coffee-making techniques that exceed the ordinary. In addition, it allows you to make informed choices as a consumer, appreciate coffee as an art form, and experience a sensory journey with a passionate community.

Specialty coffee goes beyond quality and flavor. It's also about appreciating the end-to-end coffee supply chain and how it all comes together in producing the coffees we love.

Is it a Phenomenon or a Revolution?

One thing's for sure. Specialty coffee is continuously reshaping the global coffee community and industry. 

Over the past few years, we've witnessed the third wave of coffee, driven by a quest for quality, sustainability, and direct trade relationships. Coffee enthusiasts and professionals have rallied behind this, advancing coffee from a mere commodity to a cherished craft. It's a meaningful movement that celebrates the people and stories behind each cup, fostering connections between coffee drinkers and producers.

Furthermore, its popularity pushed for the improvement of the processes and partnerships of the coffee supply chain. Collaboration between producers, buyers, roasters, cuppers, and brewers has never been more evident than it is today. It's inspiring how these mutually beneficial partnerships eventually build a healthy and sustainable coffee industry.

Why Coffee Experts Are Trying to Veer Away From the Term

While specialty coffee is getting recognized, some experts are starting to avoid the term itself. They argue that it can be pretty intimidating and exclusive. Today, experts are studying it further to think of an alternative word encompassing transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability.

As the market and industry evolve, listening to these concerns is essential in making the coffee community inclusive and equitable for all.

What can we do as Filipino coffee drinkers?

Each of us has a significant role in the specialty coffee scene. Besides, our country boasts a rich coffee heritage, with various local origins and distinct flavors to explore and support. By embracing Philippine specialty coffee, we can support local coffee farmers and learn about the diverse range of incredible coffee our country can produce. 

Specialty coffee is more than just a buzzword. It represents a transformative movement in the coffee culture and industry. It's an invitation to broaden our coffee knowledge and appreciate the artistry behind every cup of coffee we brew. Together, let's advocate for coffee excellence and help shape the coffee community driven by passion, vision, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Be part of this coffee revolution and go on a journey filled with incredible flavors, inspiring stories, and meaningful connections. Start by browsing our wide range of specialty coffee beans available online.