Specialty coffee is coffee valued for distinctive qualities in the cup and the information behind it. That can include flavour, aroma, origin, processing and the people involved in producing it. It is a way of understanding what makes one coffee different from another, rather than a particular drink or brewing gadget.
For someone choosing a bag, the useful starting point is simple: what does this coffee tell you about itself, and does it sound like something you would enjoy drinking?
More than just a number
The SCA score is a quality rating system from 1 to 100. The Specialty Coffee Association’s current definition of speciality coffee considers a bean's sensory qualities and other information.
A number on a bag can offer context, but it cannot choose your coffee for you. A higher-scoring coffee is not automatically the one you will prefer. It cannot tell you what you will prefer with breakfast, black or with milk. Read the tasting notes, roast information and brewing guidance alongside it.
Read the label on the bag as a buying guide
| Information | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Country or region it was produced in and any more specific producer/lot information | A coffee's flavor profile is heavily influenced by the terroir of the region where it was grown - e.g. beans from Latin America are known for their balanced profiles |
| Processing | The stated method in which the bean was separated from the fruit | Determines the body and sweetness of the final cup - e.g. Natural processed beans often taste fruity and are heavy-bodied. |
| Roast | How many levels the coffee was roasted | Generally, the higher the roast level, the stronger the coffee tastes. Dark roasted coffees taste a lot smokier and bitter than light roasts. |
| Tasting notes | Flavor descriptors such as chocolate, nuts, fruit or floral character | Choose a flavour direction you personally find appealing |
| Roast date | The date when the coffee was roasted | Plan exactly when to brew for maximum flavor potential, using the roaster’s resting and storage advice |
| Grind and brewing guidance | Whole bean or ground options and recommended methods | Match the grind size to the equipment you already own |
Not every label includes every detail. If a missing piece of information affects your decision, ask before ordering.
What tasting notes are telling you
Tasting notes help describe the character of a coffee. They are not a promise that every drinker will identify exactly the same flavours, or that a cup will taste like a sweetened version of the foods named.
Think about the overall direction first. Would you like something chocolatey and creamy, or are you curious about a more fruit-led cup? Brew the coffee, taste it as it cools and decide what you enjoy.
For example, Red Berry Roasters ZLS No. 13 and Euphoria V2 are chocolatey, nutty and creamy. Both are medium roasts. On the other hand, Brazil Minas Gerais is a dark roast with sweet, fruity and chocolatey notes. Those descriptions will help narrow down your choice.
Specialty does not mean one roast or one recipe
The SCA’s definition is not tied to a particular roast colour or brewer. You can choose a coffee for espresso or filter, and decide whether you prefer it black or with milk.
Start with your own routine. If you mainly make espresso, use a recipe and grind that suit your machine. If you make V60, use a pour-over starting recipe and adjust from there. Buying a distinctive coffee does not remove the need to match the brewing to your equipment.
Our espresso beans guide can help with that purchase, while our V60 guide and Brew Calculator provide practical starting points for brewing. Choose the coffee and the method together.
Single origin, blends and the word 'premium'
Single-origin and blend describe a different aspect of the purchase from the term specialty. They help explain whether a coffee is presented from one identified origin or multiple. Neither label alone tells you how much you will enjoy the cup.
Our existing single-origin vs blend guide explores this distinction in more detail. For this decision, focus on the rest of the information about the bean.
Consider the word 'premium' as an invitation to look closer. What is so different about this coffee? What does the roaster tell you about how the bean was sourced, processed, roasted, packed, and sent to you?
Is specialty coffee worth paying more for?
Yes, if the extra cost gives you something you value in the cup: a flavour you prefer, a more distinctive coffee, or clearer information about its origin and production. If you enjoy noticing those differences, paying more can make sense. If a less expensive coffee gives you the cup you want, there is no reason to upgrade simply for the specialty label.
The premium is not just a charge for a name. Selecting and evaluating coffee, roasting it for a particular flavour profile and providing information about the lot all involve work. But the word specialty alone does not prove that a particular bag is worth its price. Look for specific product information, and judge the result against what you paid. A higher price is not a guarantee of better taste for every drinker, or proof of better pay for producers.
For a practical comparison, calculate the difference per brew rather than per bag. An extra Rs.1,000 for a 250g bag adds Rs. 80 to a 20g dose. Ask yourself whether the difference in your cup is worth that amount to you. Start with a small bag and compare it with a coffee you already know, using the same brewing method. Our coffee price guide shows how to work out the cost for your own recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does specialty coffee have to be single origin?
No. The SCA’s definition concerns distinctive attributes and value, rather than requiring one specific origin format. Read the information supplied for the actual coffee, whether it is a blend or a single origin.
Do I need expensive equipment?
You need equipment suitable for the brewing method you choose. A simple filter setup or French press can be a practical starting point. If you buy whole beans, you will also need a suitable grinder; ground coffee offers another way to begin.
Does the score tell me which bag tastes best?
It gives context, but personal preference still matters. Use the score alongside tasting notes and brewing information. A coffee you enjoy and can brew consistently is a useful starting point.
Where should a beginner start?
Choose a smaller bag with a flavour description that appeals to you, select the correct grind and follow one starting recipe. Ask for advice if you are unsure which option fits your brewer.
Find the qualities you enjoy
Specialty coffee becomes easier to navigate when you use the information on the bag to make a practical choice. Start with your preferred flavour, match the coffee to your brewer and let your own experience guide the next purchase.
Explore Red Berry Roasters’s current coffee collection, or ask us for a recommendation based on how you like to drink it.