If you're wondering "how to start drinking specialty coffee?", you've come to the right place. In this article we'll simplify some essential concepts: what specialty coffee means, what the varieties are, how coffees are classified and even what a Qgrader does.

What is specialty coffee anyway?

When we talk about specialty coffee, we're talking about coffees that meet strict quality criteria, defined by the SCA - Specialty Coffee Association.

These are coffees with a score of 80 points or more on a scale of 100, awarded by certified tasters. However, it's not just the score that counts: the whole process, from plantation to cup, must guarantee transparency, traceability and respect for producers, the environment and consumers.

Coffee varieties: arabica vs robusta

In the world of coffee, the two best-known species are:

• Coffea Arabica (arabica): responsible for around 70% of world production. It is more delicate, has greater acidity and aromatic complexity.
• Coffea Canephora (robusta): more resistant to pests, usually with a more intense flavor, heavier body and more caffeine.

Within Arabica there are hundreds of varieties (such as Bourbon, Typica, SL28, Geisha, etc.), each with unique characteristics, just like the grape varieties in wine.

Scoring and classification of coffees

Specialty coffees are evaluated according to SCA protocols, which include sensory analysis (tasting), defects and other criteria.

The final score is given on a scale of up to 100:

• 80-84: Very Good
• 85-89: Excellent
• 90+: Outstanding

This evaluation is done in cuppings, where the coffee is tasted uniformly, without additives, in order to understand all its nuances.

What are sensory notes?

When you read on a bag of coffee something like "notes of chocolate, nuts and caramel" or "red berries and jasmine flower", it doesn't mean that the coffee has those ingredients or aromas added. It means that when you taste it, those are the flavors and aromas that come to mind, just as they do when tasting wine.

 These notes come from the variety, the terroir, the processing, the roasting and even the extraction.

Want to know more? Then here's how to choose coffee: How to choose coffee?

Qgrader: who scores the coffees?

A Qgrader is a tester certified by the CQI (Coffee Quality Institute)The team is trained to evaluate coffees impartially and professionally, using international protocols.

These people rate and ensure that a coffee really does deserve to be called a specialty coffee. It is also by the score given by the QGraders that the price at which a batch of coffee is sold can be justified.

How do I start drinking specialty coffee?

• Search for roasters and specialty coffee shops in your area or subscribe to our monthly box.
• Experiment with different backgrounds and profiles to find out what you like best.
• Take part in a cupping or workshop and you'll see how coffee can be so much more than bitter and dark.
• It invests in simple extraction methods such as V60, or French Press to start exploring the true taste of the grain.

At Tasteology we believe that drinking coffee is much more than a daily ritual, it's a journey of discovery, sustainability and respect for the work of the producer and everyone else involved in the journey from bean to cup.

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