Specialty Coffee
Many coffee connoisseurs appreciate the richer and deeper flavors of Specialty Coffee, compared to the mass-produced commodity coffee commonly sold in supermarkets. Specialty coffee is of higher quality and costs more. Currently, it accounts for only about 5% of the US market.
What distinguishes Specialty Coffee from commodity coffee? Commodity coffee is typically produced a lower elevations on an industrial scale with mechanized equipment. It is bought and sold in large volumes with an emphasis on flavor consistency and competitive pricing. Think the well-known coffee brands sold in supermarkets.
In contrast, Specialty Coffee is produced at elevations of three to six thousand feet on smaller family owned farms or cooperatives. The higher elevation means the beans grow slower and have more time to absorb the influences of the local "terroir," or environment. Harvesting is done by hand and only the ripe coffee "cherries" are picked. Further processing is mostly by hand, although it may include a minimum of mechanical assistance. These are the factors that combine to create the unique and rich flavors of Specialty Coffee.
Many consumers are perfectly happy with commodity coffee. It carries the lowest cost and provides a consistent product. Coffee lovers who discover Specialty Coffee are often willing to pay a little more for their richer, deeper and more varied flavors. At The Fabulous Bean Coffee Company®, we sell only Specialty Coffee.
It Begins at Origin
Coffee is an agricultural product, and its growing environment shapes its potential. Climate, elevation, soil and coffee variety can all influence the flavors that develop in the bean. Two coffees from different regions, or even neighboring farms, can taste surprisingly different. Origin isn’t a guarantee of a particular flavor, but it gives us a starting point for exploring what’s in the cup.
Processing Affects the Experience
After harvest, coffee fruit must be removed from the seed we roast and brew. The way producers do this matters. Washed coffees often emphasize clarity and brightness, while natural-processed coffees can bring fuller, fruit-forward notes. Honey and other processing approaches offer still more possibilities. None is automatically better; each is another way a producer can shape the coffee’s character.
Roasting is About Revealing, not Hiding
A thoughtful roast balances sweetness, acidity, body, and aroma. Lighter roasts may preserve more of a coffee’s delicate fruit or floral notes, while darker roasts can emphasize deeper, toastier flavors. The best choice depends on the beans and on what you enjoy drinking. Specialty Coffee makes room for that range rather than insisting there’s one right roast for everyone.
Brewing Brings the Details into Focus
Grind size, water temperature, brew time, and coffee-to-water ratio all change how a cup tastes. You don’t need expensive gear to notice the difference. Try brewing the same coffee twice with one small adjustment, such as a slightly finer grind, and compare. That curiosity is part of the fun.
The People Behind the Cup Matter
Specialty Coffee is also a story of skilled work: producers grow and harvest the crop, processors prepare it, roasters develop its flavor, and baristas and home brewers bring it to life. Learning about these steps can make a daily cup feel more connected to the people and decisions behind it.
The most rewarding way to explore Specialty Coffee is simple: taste with an open mind. Pick a coffee with a flavor description that interests you, brew it, and notice what stands out. Whether you find chocolatey comfort, bright citrus, or something you can’t quite name yet, there’s always another cup to discover. At The Fabulous Bean Coffee Company®, we offer six different roasts, including a medium decaf offering, ranging from medium-light to dark. Check them out at fabulousbeancoffee.com. We promise you won't be disappointed. Happy coffee drinking to all!
