Updated definition of Specialty Coffee

Specialty Coffee, also known as specialty coffee, is a wave of quality coffee that is gradually changing the thinking of users. Specialty Coffee has unique characteristics in terms of flavor, farming conditions and, above all, significance for the overall development of the entire industry. Good coffee is insufficient when discussing specialty coffee. Let's define "specialty coffee" and learn how this product asserts its uniqueness in the new development process of this giant industry.

The new definition - comprehensive approach of Specialty Coffee

Since the birth of the term "specialty coffee," there have been significant barriers to determining the exact meaning or definition of this phrase. "Specialty coffee" is defined from a narrow sense (special coffee) to a technical determination (coffee has no class 1 defects and no more than five class 2 defects") or in terms of scores ( Coffee is rated from 80 points on a 100-point scale by the world Specialty coffee organization SCA). Definitions are constantly being given and described in different approaches, causing information chaos and making this phrase even more ambiguous for consumers.

To simplify what is very simple, the definition of "specialty coffee" or the question "what is specialty coffee?" efforts are being made to establish and answer. The new definition is more comprehensive and descriptive with strict and systematic standards and only accepts the permissiveness, ambiguity and lack of basis. That system is established based on the attributes of specialty coffee, general sustainability and long-term community value.

Quality

According to the American Specialty Coffee Association SCAA, "specialty coffee" is a term that refers to high-quality green coffee beans that are roasted to maximize their inherent flavor potential.

Quality here is understood as "the level of excellence of something." This definition seems correct and consistent with most approaches, but a flaw still needs to be fixed in robustness: personal preference. Giving a delicious rating is highly subjective for a hobby-related product like coffee because delicious to one person may not necessarily be palatable to another.

Another concept of quality is a characteristic, a particular "substance" - "a special attribute or property." In this sense, we can describe a product as complex as coffee more fully: specialty coffee is coffee whose quality and individual attributes create the overall quality without confusion. Or mixed with other types of coffee.

Many different attributes form a product, including standard and unique internal and external features. Visualizing a consumer product as a set of points is extremely useful in the research process, helping to distinguish their relative importance and nature in an evaluation system, facilitating useful for explaining structure. It will help make the process more transparent and specific toward forming a universal and primary concept for specialty coffee.

Coffee properties

Coffee attributes can be divided into two large categories: internal attributes and external attributes.

Internal properties (intrinsic properties)

Characteristics of this attribute include appearance and appearance, chemical composition, and organoleptic properties from physical components, including but not limited to coffee bean size and structure, vibration, profile description, and cupping points.

To create delicious coffee, we are impossible, not to mention standard coffee beans. Firm, round seeds will bring a round, fresh flavor. Whole nutrition from the farm promises to contain good things from heaven and earth.

The roast level or descriptive profile also gives users closer to the nature of the coffee bean. The brighter the level, the better the protection of special raw materials. However, the acidity level is high, which may not suit the "taste" of many people.

Cupping points are an essential standard to evaluate the value of specialty coffee beans. To be counted as a Specialty Coffee, the coffee must have a score above 80 on a scale of 100 - a numerical symbol that can guarantee quality. Each cup of finished coffee will be carefully analyzed by experts for each aroma, balance, etc., to give the most accurate score. Even though there is no need to enjoy it, looking at the score, users can feel somewhat assured about the cup of coffee in hand.

External attributes

External attributes are information about the product, including but not limited to the origin, name of the manufacturer or supplying farm, quality certifications, environmental protection, and brand. These create transparency for coffee beans, helping users know about the products they use, the origin, and how these beans are cared for and grown.

With the development of sustainable coffee, transparency is an indispensable factor that ensures customers' rights and contributes to bringing the reputation of coffee beans further. Planting areas that provide quality and are environmentally friendly will become more and more famous and replicated, thereby gradually eliminating farms with extreme farming methods, eliminating labor and destroying nature.

Measure attributes

Unlike "quality," attributes can be defined and quantified using various methods. In this way, attributes can be described and used to compare products with each other. Quantitative capabilities also help accurately measure attributes and derive meaning from that information. For coffee, sensory attributes can be quantified using descriptive sensory analysis methods. This technique is the foundation for the formation and development of Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel in exploring the effects of sensory genetics, brewing techniques and methods of coffee flavor development.

In addition to high-quality measurement systems, we use methods to measure ownership attributes based on standardized consumer research and psychographic search engine chemistry. Rational results descriptive approaches to attributes and sentiment tests thrive in this process.

Based on the measurement system of frames, we have the specialty of measuring the certainty of the values owned capital assets have created.

Specialty coffee is coffee with unique properties

Through the lens of the new definition, it will be easier to identify specialty coffee by evaluating internal (free of insects, flavor attributes, and bean size) and external (origin, producer, agricultural approach, etc.). This rating system clarifies the importance of platinum status and original publishability. By these factors, external attributes become part of the product. A transparently traceable coffee provides an overview of all internal and external attributes, adding residual value to the mainstream consumer market.

The coffee flavors from different regions will ensure the influence of the growing and natural conditions to create unique aromas. The flavor profile of coffee beans helps us feel and distinguish when rewarding. Similar to identification documents, this profile is unique and not duplicated.

The flavor of specialty coffee truly reflects the characteristics of the growing area, hiding deep roots with products filled with goodness - grateful for the place where we were born and raised. Combined with the original protective roasting method, you can know the specialty coffee beans from different varieties and farms.

It has caused the value of specialty coffee to increase in the general market in terms of price and experience.

Specialty Coffee is more than just a drink

Coffee is a beverage, but specialty coffee has much more value than that. It brings unforgettable experiences on the flavor journey, and Specialty Coffee contributes to economic and cultural stability and nature protection.

Coffee production significantly affects the environment by consuming large amounts of water for preliminary processing or industrial waste and changing soil properties during cultivation. On the contrary, the environment and nature play a decisive role in the quality of coffee beans. Therefore, the urgent issue is to ensure both coffee development and nature protection.

It has been implemented increasingly seriously and actively by manufacturers and farms. Organic and biological farming methods were introduced, and suppliers also paid more attention to the issues of water saving, waste treatment, and soil and forest protection.

In addition to rich aromas, specialty coffee beans are ethical and sustainable. Coffee farming creates jobs for hundreds of thousands of workers on farms. Most come from poor backgrounds and rely on agriculture as their main livelihood. If in the past farmers had to endure working in toxic, poor conditions and low pay, today they receive a more equitable source of income.

Thus, to be considered Specialty Coffee, coffee beans not only meet the attribute criteria but also must carry values for people and the environment. Each small coffee bean has hidden significant meanings, making them special.

XLIII Coffee and the passion for the original Specialty Coffee

At XLIII Coffee, every aspect of specialty coffee beans is clearly shown in each batch of products.

The coffee beans here have evident origin characteristics. XLIII Coffee's guiding principle throughout five years of operation is to protect its roots. We always want to bring users closest to the core of coffee beans. That's why XLIII Coffee chooses the wet processing method - a processing technique that perfectly preserves the natural imprint of coffee and an extremely light roasting process that helps retain the characteristic aroma notes. From there, each cup of coffee will open up a horizon of flavors for customers. Everyone will find excitement when gradually perfecting the world coffee map through each layer of flavor that changes flexibly with temperature.

In addition to Origin factors, XLIII Coffee also ensures five core values of sustainable coffee beans: Transparency, traceability, ethics, responsibility, and transition towards sustainability. XLIII Coffee places coffee in a general relationship with the entire industry, farmers, and consumers. We balance all three elements so that coffee becomes a companion, not just a rich, flavorful drink.

>>> To better understand the journey of protecting and spreading the value of origins, please refer to the four approaches and five core values of XLIII Coffee in Philosophy.

Visit XLIII Coffee to enjoy valuable coffee beans and learn more about its human and natural mission!