At FREKKO, we roast specialty coffee. And for good reason. But what exactly is specialty coffee? In this blog post, we'll explain. For us, it means that the coffee not only tastes special, but also that it's been crafted with love and attention. From bean to cup, we take care of everything.
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. Most coffee consumed is commodity coffee, which is mass-produced coffee selected solely for volume and profit, not for taste or quality. And the difference between commodity and specialty is hidden in more ways than one; read on!
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee is coffee that stands out for its quality and flavor. These coffees are grown, picked, and processed with great care. And the coffees must also score well: only beans with a cupping score of 80 or higher (according to the Specialty Coffee Association) can be called specialty.
That score is given based on things like:
- Aroma
- Acidity
- Mouthfeel
- Complexity of flavors
- Absence of defects
Only the best beans earn the specialty coffee cupping score. And you can taste it.
A farmer who grows specialty coffee is proud of their product. The farmer and their team do everything they can to bring out the finest flavors in the coffee. This means small-scale cultivation, careful processing, and no large batches. The coffee isn't lumped together, but rather kept separate by farmer or plot.
The result? Coffee with character. You can taste where the coffee comes from. For example, coffee from Brazil often has notes of chocolate and nuts, while Ethiopian beans tend to have floral or citrusy flavors. This way, you can endlessly discover which processing methods, countries, and flavors you like best.
Why do we think specialty coffee is so important?
At FREKKO, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy good coffee every day. And we don't just mean "okay" coffee, but true quality where you can taste the story behind it.
For us, specialty coffee means:
- Fair trade: farmers get a better price for their work
- Transparency: you know exactly where your bean comes from
- Sustainability: respect for people, plants and planet
- Taste that surprises: clear, fruity, floral, spicy, never boring
And perhaps most importantly, it is coffee with a good story.
The journey from bean to cup
At FREKKO, we consider every step of the process. We believe in a fair and beautiful journey from bean to coffee cup.
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Origin
At FREKKO, we always carefully select the origins of our coffee. We minimize intermediaries, leaving more for the coffee farmer. We prioritize small farms and micro-lots.
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Processing
At FREKKO, we also carefully select the processing method. Specialty coffee is always hand-picked and carefully processed using a variety of methods: washed, natural, honey, and many more. This processing influences the coffee's flavor.
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Burning process
At our FREKKO studio X roastery, we lightly roast our coffee weekly in small batches. This lighter roast allows you to better appreciate the flavors of the original coffee cherry—precisely the part where the coffee farmer puts all his attention.
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Freshness & Shipping
Because we roast weekly, we also have fresh coffee every week. The beans are carefully packaged to ensure their flavor isn't lost through exposure to too much air or light.
What do you taste in specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee isn't a flat, bitter cup like you might know from the office or gas station. It actually packs a whole host of flavors. With every sip, you can discover something new, a bit like wine.
Sometimes you recognize:
- Fresh: lemon, green apple or red currant
- Floral: jasmine, chamomile or bergamot
- Sweet: caramel, honey or milk chocolate
- Fruity: peach, mango or strawberry
Every coffee tastes different, and that means there's endless possibilities for discovery. Isn't it fun?
Is it worth the price?
Absolutely. With specialty coffee, most of your money goes to the coffee farmer, allowing them to focus on continuing to make great coffee. With specialty coffee, you pay for:
- Taste: Getting the most out of the coffee cherry
- Fairness: farmers get a better price
- Sustainability: good care for nature and the environment
- Transparency: you know what you're drinking, from bean to cup
Commodity coffee may be cheaper on paper, but that low price comes at a high price: poorer working conditions, less flavor, and a diminished future for coffee farmers. We don't think it's surprising that the price of commodity coffee is rising so much right now.
How do you recognize specialty coffee?
There's a lot of information out there that reveals whether coffee is specialty coffee. But the most important thing to look for is the SCA score. If that score is 80 or higher, you have true specialty coffee. There are other things to look for:
- Origin information : farmer, region, altitude, processing method
- Freshly roasted : there is a clear roasting date on the packaging
- Tasting notes : such as 'floral', 'citrus', 'dark chocolate'
- Transparency : you can see and read where the coffee comes from
You'll find it all at FREKKO. And if you have any questions, we're here to help. Schedule an appointment at our studio or send us a message!
FAQ – quickly answered
Is specialty coffee always single origin?
Often, but not always. There are also specialty blends. As long as every bean in the blend has an SCA score of 80+, it can still be called specialty. At FREKKO, we only offer single-origin blends because we believe this is the best way to recognize the coffee's flavors.
Do I need expensive equipment?
Not necessarily. The most profitable option is to grind your beans fresh. This can be achieved with a hand grinder or by upgrading your current grinder. Consider purchasing a filter brewing method or a budget-friendly espresso machine, and you can start enjoying great coffee.
Do I get a different flavor of espresso with specialty coffee?
Absolutely! The taste of coffee remains the taste of coffee, but the coffee industry has taught us to view coffee as a generic flavor that we know as Mocha.
Each specialty coffee has its own unique flavor; some coffees taste more chocolatey, while others might have notes of red fruit. These flavors aren't added, but are brought out by the careful handling of the coffee plants and the careful roasting of the coffees.
Everything summarized at a glance.
| What makes coffee 'specialty'? | What does it add to my coffee? |
|---|---|
| SCA score of 80 or higher. | You can taste the quality in the flavor of the coffee. |
| The origin is known. | You know what you are drinking, where the coffee comes from and who the grower is. |
| Recognizable flavor profiles. | Lighter roasting allows you to stay closer to the origins of the coffee, allowing you to taste the terroir, the processing method, or the special touch of the coffee farmer. |
| Small-scale and freshly roasted. | Your coffee is always fresh, unique and carefully selected. |
Interested? Try FREKKO specialty coffee!
Dive into our ever-changing collection of specialty beans. Freshly roasted, lovingly selected, and ready for your favorite brewing method.
Take a look at the FREKKO webshop or visit the studio X roastery for a coffee tasting, a personal consultation or a barista workshop.
