The Benefits of Specialty Grade Organic Coffee

You’ve likely heard that organic coffee is beneficial for both your health and the environment. By choosing organic coffee, you’re not only avoiding harmful chemicals like pesticides, but you’re also supporting sustainable farming practices that help protect the environment and the communities where the coffee is grown. Organic coffee guarantees that no toxic residues are lingering in your daily cup, allowing you to enjoy the antioxidants that come with coffee without the worry of ingesting harmful substances.

But what if organic coffee could be even better?

Specialty grade organic coffee takes the benefits of organic coffee to the next level, offering even more advantages in terms of quality and health.

Organic certification ensures that coffee is grown and harvested without harmful chemicals, but specialty grade certification goes even further to guarantee the health benefits of the coffee you consume. Specialty grade coffee undergoes meticulous testing and is monitored from the moment it’s grown to the moment it reaches your cup. To be labeled as specialty grade, the coffee must score 80 or higher on a 100-point scale, which is a testament to its superior quality.

While only 3% of the world’s coffee is grown organically, less than 1% qualifies as specialty grade organic coffee.

Grown in Ideal Climates

Specialty grade coffee beans must be cultivated in optimal climate and soil conditions. Only arabica beans, grown at high altitudes (typically over 2,000 feet and often between 4,000 and 6,000 feet), can receive this certification. These beans are handpicked at the peak of ripeness, ensuring they have the best possible flavor and quality. Specialty grade coffee beans also have a moisture content between 9–13%, which helps prevent the growth of mold and mycotoxins, such as Ochratoxin A, which can be harmful to kidneys. Countries like Colombia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Indonesia are known for producing specialty grade coffee thanks to their ideal growing conditions.

Bean Shape and Quality

To achieve specialty grade certification, coffee beans must meet strict criteria regarding size and quality. Only beans that are uniform in size and have minimal defects are considered acceptable. For example, “quakers” (unripe beans), as well as beans that are too large or small, are removed during the sorting process. Beans that have an orange color due to ripeness issues, known as “foxy” beans, are also discarded.

The uniformity of the beans plays a crucial role in how they roast. Just as vegetables need to be evenly cut to cook uniformly, coffee beans must have similar shapes to ensure they roast evenly. Misshapen or underripe beans can lead to uneven roasting, which can cause some beans to be over-roasted or even burned. Over-roasted beans produce harmful compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies. Therefore, selecting beans that meet strict size and shape requirements is important for both flavor and health.

Flavor, Aroma, and Defects

After the beans are harvested and sorted, they undergo a rigorous tasting process. This is where the expertise of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) comes in. Experienced cuppers taste and evaluate each batch by analyzing several factors, including fragrance, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, sweetness, and cleanliness. They also check for any defects such as sourness or off flavors like phenolic, which can make coffee taste like acetone.

Once all these categories are scored, a final score is calculated. To earn the specialty grade title, a coffee must score at least 80 points. This comprehensive testing ensures that only the highest quality coffee reaches consumers.

Health and Safety

In addition to flavor, one of the most important factors when choosing specialty grade organic coffee is health. Coffee that is carefully sourced and graded as specialty is more likely to be free of mold, Ochratoxin A, and other harmful contaminants. Specialty grade coffee undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it is free from toxins, mold, and pesticides, making it a safer choice for your health.

For many coffee lovers, the decision to choose specialty grade organic coffee isn’t just about flavor—it’s about peace of mind. You can trust that the coffee you’re drinking has been carefully crafted to not only provide a superior taste but to also prioritize your health and safety throughout the entire process.

In conclusion, when you choose specialty grade organic coffee, you’re choosing the highest quality coffee available. From its growth in ideal conditions to its meticulous testing for defects and contaminants, specialty grade coffee provides a more flavorful, health-conscious, and sustainable option for coffee drinkers.