Glossary

Specialty coffee

Specialty coffee refers to the highest quality tier of coffee beans, which score 80 points or above on a strict 100-point scale evaluated by certified experts. It represents a transparent chain of care where everyone, from the farmer handling the crop on the plantation to the barista behind the counter, works to preserve the natural potential of the fruit. Unlike mass-market coffee that is often dark-roasted to hide imperfections, these beans are roasted to highlight their inherent character. This focus allows you to experience distinct tasting notes, such as bright citrus, berries, or milk chocolate, without adding any artificial syrups. Interestingly, this meticulous standard means that specialty coffee makes up only a tiny single-digit percentage of the global coffee trade.

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Edu Corner in the Specialty Atlas app has the whole glossary, with terms linked to the coffees and brewing methods you actually use.

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