Exploring the universe of specialty coffees and their certifications

To be considered special, a coffee must achieve a score of 80 or more on a scale of 100.

Understanding Specialty Coffees

Specialty coffees are a category of coffee beans that are grown in perfect climate conditions, harvested with care and processed in a way that enhances the flavor of the bean. They are evaluated by professionals called Q-graders, who score the coffee based on several criteria, such as aroma, flavor, acidity, body and balance. Specialty coffees offer several benefits. Firstly, they provide an incomparable taste experience. Each batch of specialty coffee has a distinct flavor profile, influenced by terroir - the environment where it is grown, including soil, climate and altitude. Additionally, when you purchase specialty coffees, you are supporting fair and sustainable agricultural practices, as many are organically grown and traded fairly. With the growing demand, especially in developed countries, for healthy and socially correct products, new quality attributes are being incorporated. The specialty coffee segment, for example, currently represents around 12% of the international market. Quality attributes include physical characteristics such as origin, variety, color and size, as well as factors such as the working conditions of coffee producers.

Coffee certifications: Fair Trade, Organic, Gourmet and Certified Origin

In coffees certified as organic and fair trade, which in addition to physical attributes, such as aroma and flavor, also incorporate environmental and social concerns, the issue of measuring information by the consumer is more complex. These segments, also known as “conscious coffees”, are expanding their participation in the specialty coffee market, due to increased concern about consumption patterns, which has stimulated preferences for sustainably produced products. The consumer, however, cannot distinguish, even after tasting the drink, whether it has the desired attributes. In these cases, strengthening trust in the certifying body encourages verification of the attributes contained in the seal printed on the packaging. Therefore, it is necessary to establish trusting relationships that form over the long term. Furthermore, the entire journey of a product needs to be tracked across the entire production system to reduce information loss along the way. Now that we have a basic understanding of what specialty coffee is, let's dive into what some common coffee certifications mean.

Fair Trade Coffee

Fair trade coffee is consumed in developed countries by consumers who care about the social and environmental conditions under which coffee is grown. There is a willingness to pay more for coffee produced by small farmers and/or shaded production systems. Processing is also monitored to ensure the presence of desired quality attributes. Certification, despite the associated costs, allows small farmers to more easily integrate into the differentiated coffee market. In particular, in the case of organic and fair trade coffees, when certified, they attract companies interested in serving the most demanding consumers. Therefore, certification is a valuable tool to ensure quality and sustainability in the coffee industry.

Organic Coffee

Organic coffee is grown in accordance with organic production standards. This means that coffee must be grown with organic fertilizers, and pest and disease control must be carried out through biological control. To be labeled as organic, both production and processing need to be monitored by an accredited certifying agency.

Gourmet Coffee

Good coffee is associated with high quality Arabica coffee beans. This is a unique product with few flaws. The production of high quality coffee is encouraged by the International Coffee Organization (ICO).

Certified Origin Coffee

Certified origin coffee is related to the region where the coffee beans are grown, as some coffee quality attributes are inherent to the region where the coffee is grown. Production monitoring is essential for labeling. In conclusion, specialty coffees and their certifications represent more than just a cup of coffee. They reflect the coffee industry's movement towards more sustainable and equitable practices. By choosing certified specialty coffee, you not only enjoy a high-quality cup of coffee, but you also support farmers and the environment.

SIATEC Brasil specialty coffee roasters

Within the world of specialty coffees, each bean tells a story, and each sip offers us a unique experience. But, for this narrative to be perfect, the roasting needs to be executed masterfully. SIATEC's Specialty Coffee Roasters – Black Gold come into play, transforming good beans into extraordinary coffees. The Black Gold line roasters are designed for specialty coffee roasters who will not settle for less than excellence. They maintain and improve flavor, allowing your cup of coffee to be delicious. SIATEC Brasil is committed to being part of this journey, providing innovative solutions that meet the needs and desires of customers.