What is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee refers to an entire process from beginning farming stages to last moment in consumer consumption. Specialty coffee uses exclusive single origin coffee beans that are well prepared, freshly roasted, and perfectly brewed. Unlike gourmet coffee, specialty coffee beans must go through a grading process. Specialty coffee beans are graded by a certified coffee taster and hold a score of over 80 on a 100 point scale by organizations, such as Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). This score is identified and measured by a visual inspection that involves samples of green coffee beans and counting through any deficiencies, which can be Primary (sour beans) and Secondary (broken beans). Post visual inspection of the green coffee beans, the score is identified and measured via taste or cupping.
Specialty coffee beans are grown at a perfect altitude, at the right time of year, in a high quality soil, which is then harvested with care.
Fair Trade Certified
Fairtrade's approach enables farmers and workers to have more control over their lives and decide how to invest in their future. Fairtrade supports and challenges businesses and governments and connects farmers and workers with the people who buy their products. By choosing Fairtrade, people can create change through their everyday actions.
A product with the FAIRTRADE Mark means producers and businesses have met internationally agreed standards which have been independently certified. Farmers and workers have a strong voice at every level of Fairtrade, from how they invest in and run their local organizations to having an equal say in Fairtrade’s global decision-making.
Rainforest Alliance
Rainforest Alliance is an “alliance of farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers committed to creating a world where people and nature thrive in harmony. By bringing diverse allies together, we are making deep-rooted change on some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time. We’re implementing proven and scalable solutions on the ground while testing innovative ways to drive change.”