Specialty Grade Green Coffee Beans
What are specialty grade green coffee beans?
Specialty coffee beans are widely regarded as the finest quality, attracting the interest of specialty coffee roasters. To receive the designation of specialty grade, the beans must achieve a minimum score of 80 out of 100 based on the evaluation of their flavor, aroma, acidity, and other elements by a certified Q-grader through a cupping process.
The word Green refers to the fact that the coffee beans have not been roasted. That is why roasters refer to these beans as specialty grade green coffee beans.
Characteristics of Specialty Grade Green Coffee Beans.
- High quality: They are considered the best quality green coffee beans and are known for their exceptional flavor, aroma, and aftertaste.
- Specific flavor profiles: They have unique and distinguishable flavor characteristics that are associated with their origin, growing conditions, and processing methods.
- Traceable origin: They come from specific regions, estates, or co-operatives and can be traced back to their origin.
- Score 80 or above: They score 80 or higher on a 100-point scale for quality, based on factors such as flavor, aroma, acidity, and balance.
- Careful processing: They are processed with care, using methods that preserve their flavor profile and quality, such as wet processing or dry processing.
- Limited availability: They are limited in availability and may be more expensive than other green coffee beans due to their high quality and specialty status.
What Are The Differences Between Specialty and Conventional Coffee?
| Feature | Conventional Coffee | Specialty Coffee |
| Quality | Lower quality | Higher quality |
| Flavor | Generic, bland flavor | Unique, distinguishable flavor profiles |
| Scoring | No strict scoring criteria | Must score 80 or higher on a 100-point scale |
| Sustainability | May be grown using harmful practices | Usually grown using sustainable practices |
| Cost | Lower cost | Higher cost |
| Availability | Widely available | Limited availability |
How much do specialty coffee beans cost?
The price for specialty coffee beans can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the origin, the rarity, the level of demand, and the cost of production.
On average, a Kilogram of specialty coffee beans from Colombia can cost anywhere from $7 to $50 USD or even more. Some of the most expensive coffee beans you can find in Colombia come from the Wush Wush, Bourbon, and Geisha varieties.
Is specialty coffee worth the price?
For coffee connoisseurs, it is really worth buying specialty coffee. As we have mentioned its flavor, aroma, and body are of higher quality than conventional coffee.
It all depends on the palate of the person who consumes it and the knowledge he/she has about coffee.
With a more comprehensive understanding of specialty coffee beans, you may be considering purchasing premium-quality coffee and embarking on a fascinating journey into the world of specialty coffee.
To help you on your way, you can click on the following link to check out our unique and exotic specialty coffee beans.