In recent years, the coffee world has undergone a lot of change, characterised by a growing appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavours. This movement, often called the speciality coffee movement, has changed how we perceive and enjoy coffee.
What is Speciality Coffee?
The SCA (Speciality Coffee Association) describes the speciality coffee as “coffee or a coffee experience recognised for its distinctive attributes, and because of these attributes, has significant extra value in the marketplace.”
Unlike the mass-produced coffee commonly found on supermarket shelves or in instant coffee jars, speciality coffee results from careful attention to detail at every stage of production, from choosing the best coffee beans to the roasting process and even how it is brewed.
Speciality coffee beans are often sourced from specific regions known for high-quality coffee beans. These single-origin coffee beans are typically grown in particular environmental conditions and harvested with care, which helps to ensure they meet the highest standards. Each batch of beans is then roasted to perfection, which helps amplify the unique characteristics and flavours related to the beans' point of origin.
Differences Between Speciality Coffee and Regular Coffee
Although we might be somewhat biased, there are some clear differences between instant supermarket coffee and the different options we have listed on the York Emporium website.
Quality
The primary difference between speciality coffee beans and regular coffee is quality. Supermarket coffee is usually mass-produced, often using lower-grade beans to meet high production demands. These beans might be over-roasted to mask imperfections, leading to a generic, often bitter taste.
In contrast, speciality coffee uses high-quality single-origin beans, often sourced directly from farmers who employ sustainable and ethical farming practices. This direct approach with farmers and cooperatives ensures that all parties receive fair pay, so you can enjoy your coffee without worrying about where it's come from.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship is at the heart of speciality coffee. Roasting coffee beans is an art form that requires skill, experience, and a strong understanding of the different types of beans.
Our speciality coffee roasters often work with small batches, allowing us to have close control over the temperature and duration of the roast. This helps us ensure that the beans reach their full flavour potential, resulting in a great cup of coffee. In contrast, mass-produced coffee is roasted in large quantities, with less attention to the unique characteristics of the beans, resulting in a less remarkable flavour profile.
Unique Flavors
One of the most exciting aspects of speciality coffee beans is the variety of unique flavours it offers. Each coffee bean has its own flavour profile, influenced by factors such as the region where it was grown, the altitude, soil conditions, and the specific variety of coffee plants. Speciality coffee roasters strive to highlight these unique flavours, creating a diverse range of coffee experiences. Whether it's the fruity notes of an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or the chocolatey undertones of the Brazil Santo Antonio, speciality coffee provides an opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich diversity of coffee flavours.
In contrast, regular coffee often lacks this complexity. The beans used are typically a blend of various origins, roasted to a uniform level that masks the beans' inherent flavours. This results in a more predictable but less exciting coffee experience.
Why Buying Ground or Whole Bean Coffee from a Speciality Coffee Roaster is Better
While you can purchase good coffee from the supermarket, there are plenty of reasons why you might end up feeling short-changed, whether that be because of the lack of freshness or the less-than-vibrant flavours. Below, we’ve noted a few reasons why we think that going direct to the roaster is the better choice.
Freshness
Speciality coffee is often fresher than its supermarket counterparts. Many speciality coffee roasters roast their beans to order, ensuring that the coffee you receive is at its peak freshness. Freshly roasted coffee has a more vibrant and complex flavour, which diminishes over time. When you buy coffee from a speciality roaster, you can often see the roast date on the packaging, giving you confidence in its freshness.
Variety
Buying from a speciality roaster often provides you with access to a greater variety of single-origin beans. Whether you prefer whole beans or ground coffee, light roast or dark roast, single-origin coffee or blends, you'll have plenty of choice. The York Emporium team can provide expert advice on brewing methods and grind sizes to help you create the perfect cup of coffee.
Supporting Small Businesses
When you purchase speciality coffee beans, you often support small, independent businesses with strong connections to their local community. Speciality coffee roasters like York Emporium are incredibly passionate about coffee and dedicated to maintaining high standards. By buying speciality single-origin coffee, you contribute to a more sustainable and ethical coffee industry by promoting fairer practices.
A Better Coffee Experience
Ultimately, buying freshly roasted coffee will improve your overall coffee experience. From the aroma of freshly ground beans to the first sip of your favourite brew, speciality coffee engages the senses. It transforms your daily coffee routine into a moment of enjoyment and appreciation. We place a tremendous amount of importance on savouring the journey from bean to cup and embodying the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into every batch of beans.
Finding The Perfect Batch of Speciality Coffee Beans
Speciality coffee represents a return to quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavours from around the world. It starkly contrasts the mass-produced coffee found in supermarkets, offering a richer, more satisfying coffee experience. You can support a more ethical and sustainable coffee industry by choosing ground or wholebean single-origin coffee from a speciality roaster.
If you want to take your coffee experience up a notch, make sure to take a look at York Emporium's range of speciality single-origin coffee and blends.
